Seiko SNA411 Flightmaster review: IT SUCKS
First of all, if you love your one, that's great. Enjoy! It's a beautiful watch.
But no one talks about the issues with this watch so here it goes:
I just sold mine today at a big discount because the pusher lock screw was damaged. They get stuck. And I mean broken stuck. I managed to unscrew mine with pliers after 20 minutes of trying. And it's not a rare issue. But some people never get it fixed and just sell it as it is.
And there are no replacement parts that I could find anywhere.
If you paid $3.50 for a box of bolts and nuts and they got stuck from mild finger twisting - you'd be annoyed.
Now times that by 100 and you have a $350+ watch that does exactly that.
Add on top of that:
The pushers never stay locked or unlocked. They move all the time. If they aren't stuck they are extremely loose.
The chronograph minutes subdial is incredibly tiny (common issue but my Citizen is significantly easier to read). And I have very good eyesight.
The locking pushers are extremely hard to screw while wearing the watch. (Unless the strap is really loose)
The bulbous case back shape causes a pressure spot (for me at least) and makes the watch less stable on the wrist. Also a common issue with some brands but none of my other watches have this issue.
This watch was overpriced at 250. Now that Seiko are raising their prices significantly it's a total rip off. It's almost 450 on Amazon right now.
For a good looking watch that will break from extremely light use, a fair price is no more than 50 bucks. 100 if we're pushing it.
Seems like a really dumb issue to have. A company like Seiko should be able to manufacture a screw.
Yikes, what a pain! I appreciate the warnings!
There's always a better choice than Seiko.
I had the same issue with the screw down pushers…they locked so tight, I broke the watch trying to unlock them. I got a second one as a gift and it has been fine. Seiko should know this issue and address it.
The Flightmaster has been produced for so long that there must be a ton of them in the market and this is the first I'm hearing of this.
Is this really a common problem or a problem of large numbers?
You shouldn't hold back. You can tell us how you really feel about it.
The Flightmaster has been produced for so long that there must be a ton of them in the market and this is the first I'm hearing of this.
Is this really a common problem or a problem of large numbers?
Yes others are having the same issue. The second one I checked on eBay was totally stuck. And the fourth commenter on this post has the same issue. I think most reviewers on YouTube review stuff 15 minutes after they get it, and it's all shiny etc, so the real issues aren't heard as much as the good stuff..
A very average low end Seiko offering, you need a magnifying glass to see any of the various scales which are pretty much useles. it was way overhyped by that you tube bloke TVG or something like that, like a lot of influencers they can literally double the price of a mediocre watch.
That TGV dude really loves his 'Flighty'. You might want to find a safe house and lay low before he sends his hench T-Rex to chomp you up. 😛😂
My screw down pusher at the 4 o'clock position became stuck (open) after 3 days!!! It's a huge disappointment but I keep wearing it because I love the look. Yes, you can't read most of the numbers on the slide rule or subdials ..... but that's not why you wear it.
My screw down pusher at the 4 o'clock position became stuck (open) after 3 days!!! It's a huge disappointment but I keep wearing it because I love the look. Yes, you can't read most of the numbers on the slide rule or subdials ..... but that's not why you wear it.
Damn that sucks.
But yeah it's more about the style. But I do need a chronograph often.
Sorry to hear your bad luck with the beloved flighty, after getting back into horology the Flightmaster was my 1st purchase back in the game, i have had it for 6 years now and have zero issues i guess i was luck compared to some other experiences. Seiko have always had QC issues and i am sure this won't go away for its lower tier models.
I myself am a massive Seiko fanboy as they produce what i like and the range in price points enables me to go up and down the ladder depending on how much i want to pass onto them.
Feel free to check out my collection buddy and happy Superbowl Sunday 👍