Anyone else moving away from Seiko?

Both of the seikos I have are really good, but one was like 90 bucks and the other I got with a gift card, so not too bad. I've read quite a few things about seiko being not up to par, but that still is a bummer for anyone who has to deal with that! It does make me wary of getting any Seiko tbh!

I recently bought the spb301 and had to turn in the watch for repair just a week later when it was running -45spd and getting worse. The crown is also finicky and sometimes gets stuck when I screw it in. Seiko actually replaced the entire 6R35 movement but said there was nothing wrong with the crown. Disappointing quality control to say the least.

shrugs 

So far, so good. Nothing to really point and say, "It's crap!" 

Also nothing to say, "It's the bees knees!" 

It's Seiko. Sometimes you get crap. Just like a lot of other brand watches. 

I think that my SPB147 is going to be the last Seiko I'll buy because their price to value ratio is no longer comparing well with other brands and their quality is still not as good as expected for the price.

Yes.

I used to own several Seikos but now only have the one: a green Sumo.  I'm one of the lucky ones in as much as It has no QC issues.  My problem is you don't get superior specs for the money you pay. Personally, I'm all about microbrands these days.  I have several of them, some with the kind of specs you'd find on a watch costing £1000 or even £2000.

I bought a Seiko 5 from 2005 recently and I have to say that the quality was way better back then. But the Presage line, especially the cocktailtime watches are very good. In the 1k and above range I would definitely lean towards other brands, though. 

Never owned a Seiko, but am aware of Seiko's qc problems thanks to Jody from Just One More Watch. That along with their price increases has made wary of buying any, although may buy from one of Seiko's sub-brands, or vintage Seiko.

Never had a problem with Seiko. Granted, I regulated a few after a while, but I got my first Seiko in the early 80s, and I never really had an issue.

I'm buying less these days, but that's because I'm into modding.

I also cannot speak to mid-tier Seikos and GS. I have never owned one of those.

Never had any big issues with Seiko beyond some of the well known and cosmetic ones like alignment that's slightly off 🤔 Main reason to move away from Seiko would be if they don't fix these issues on the watches beyond the entry level as the price keeps going up.. Some watches will be duds no matter the brand and if you look for supporting statements for your situation you will find them. Just think about how any watches Seiko sells!!

Sucks that you have problems with your Seiko... 

Nope

Only as far as mechanical movements are concerned. I have been very disappointed in their accuracy. 
However, quartz and solar are still good in my book.

So, no more mechanical but I am sure a Seiko Solar is out there for me in the future.

PS: I am trying to swear off quartz but occasionally something comes along in quartz and I just have to have it,

I have 5 Seikos from entry level to USD1-2K. Never had any problem with any of them whether cosmetic or otherwise. I love them all. Aside from the usual not so impressive bracelets which I have no problem replacing with aftermarket alternatives, I have not experienced any other problems. Guess I'm one of the luckier ones. Just cannot say what is the ratio between the lucky vs the unlucky ones considering as @mjosamannen mentioned, the number of watches Seiko sells say in a year worldwide.

These threads are heartbreaking to read.  Seiko has made some changes over the past few years, but they haven't been as clear to interpret as perhaps they would have liked.

Prices have gone up.  What have the price increases brought? improved finishing, slightly longer power reserves, and sapphire crystals.  What has not necessarily changed? quality control.

The improvements brought on have had a positive impact on brand reputation as seen from the response to the 62 mas reissues and the Marine Master 200 reduced models.  The finishing generally looks great, and the designs have been very well received.

However, once prices begin to touch and surpass the $1000 mark, expectations rise beyond what Seiko has been able to deliver.  Quality control issues such as misaligned chapter rings might have been acceptable on sub $300 pieces, but are not acceptable on pieces costing 3x as much.

The other complaint that resonates with me is that Seiko seems to be leaving behind the starting watch collector.  There was a time when the only brand recommended to newbies was Seiko.  it seems like now, there is a better chance that one will be directed to one of the many high quality microbrand alternatives.

I bought one Seiko, and hated it. I've come close to buying a few others over the years, but haven't followed through. 

Poor QC, and prices that seem very aspirational ensure I don't buy Seiko watches. 

What was your comfort issue?

For me it was the shape of the case back. Too raised. 

I'm down to 2 Seiko's now from 9. If i do get another it will be a GS. Everyone should check for QC issues at purchase. My biggest grip is about accuracy. Its a great brand though and Brilliant gateway to the hobby. Every collection should have at least one Seiko imo.

I got the version with the PT5000 movement. That's a clone of the ETA 2824-2. Many people who got this movement have reported accuracy+-2 spd. Bezel alignment is spot on. And it only cost me $150. 

My SD Willard has been -3 to +1 for 4 months now.  Bezel spot on.  Sapphire crystal perfect. Case is very good and much better than expected. NH35 clone.  Both Seiko and SD bracelets nothing to brag about.  Several hundred $$ less.  Don't care for the Chinese,  but this one is a keeper.  

BTW, the many legged creatures in the background are looking singularly disinterested in your horological problems with Seiko.

It's good to be the cat!

That's my point.  I've sd it before, after $500 -1000, you are paying for status.  But the Chinese do a great watch for $300.  Buy the watch or buy the name?  No one really cares but at least be honest about it.

I'm a Seikomaniac!

I haven't had a Seiko in a while, but 4-5 years ago I got a couple of SRP turtles for maybe $225 each that were great for the $.  

As I watch the prices climb to (and above) $1k, I'm not sure that value is still there.  Willards are cool, but to me they are like $400 cool.

Yup.  It's an honest rip off.  There's s no hiding it.  They never called it anything else.  Unlike some of the fakes out there, no deception here.

Yes the Omega story is BS 😂... 

I get where you're coming from though, but conversely that's one thing I love about seiko. My daily wearer is an sbgr251. I wear it every day pretty much. It doesn't look much different from a sarb. I even have seiko 5s that look kinda similar. The difference in quality when you handle them is obvious but because they look similar my watch doesn't attract much attention. It's for my personal pleasure. 

I think there is a difference between cultures at play here. I would be entirely comfortable with a 100k Toyota as would most Japanese people, which is why the most expensive car Toyota produces is branded toyota. The lexus brand was IMHO created to satisfy western customer psychology. As a side note it is this psychology companies like VW exploit when they charge you more for an audi A3 than a VW golf (basically the same car). We aren't talking cars here but this infuriates me. Did you know the A3 is never actually touched or even tuned by an audi engineer? An engineer trained in the audi tradition? Another example is the Porche cayenne ... entirely built by vw touareg engineers.

Going back to seiko I love the way they offer watches (even autos) ranging from £75 to £150k. I would actually prefer the old 'Seiko... GS' branding on my watch. I always tell people it's a seiko if asked anyway. I don't think it's something westerners can fully appreciate. I bought seiko 5s for my kids. I still own a few old 5s... but I've been fortunate to journey with seiko through prospex to GS. Hopefully one day I'll be able to afford a credor.. believe me the quality is unmatched except by the likes of VC and Pp (I've never handled ALS). And if I am ever able to afford a credor and can put seiko on the dial I would.

😂

It's certainly an interesting phrase "honest rip off" but in a sense that's exactly what it is. Steinhart does the same with rolex. As long as they are using a design that is past copyright, and are not labelling the watches 'rolex' or 'seiko' its perfectly legal.

No copyright law is being broken and trademarks are not being infringed.

I guess my complaint here is more about the look of the watch than the name on the dial. I’d buy a GS that said Seiko on the dial for $6000 before I’d buy a $1500 watch that looks almost exactly like a $500 watch No matter what the name.  Part of the appeal (to me) of GS is the design.  I’m willing to pay more because the watch looks beautiful in a way I don’t think Seikos do.  
 

I'm actually leaning into Seiko. I like the push they've done to go a little more up market. I've heard all the stories of their QC issues but I've been lucky so far and have never had an issue. 

No. I like all the Japanese brands.

I too am very happy with my #seiko watches. I own 7 seikos and haven't had any problems with any.I like the fact that they produce their watches from start to finish and have a variety of options and good customer service. 

I am not sure who is in the minority when it comes to Seiko QC issues. 🤔