Overrated/Underrated Brands

Citizen is definitely underrated in my opinion, although it seems to be getting more notice on Youtube lately. I also don't think Timex gets enough credit for its newer releases, especially its solar watches.

Citizen make a good product, no bs get overshadowed a bit by Seiko but I think that's also cause of heritage 

Overrated for me has to be Rolex never liked them never will and don't like the way they do business. Underrated has to be fortis they should get a lot more recognition than they do and of course make some amazing watches, and just to show how nice a company they are they came out with the name marinemaster first but they let seiko use the name too top company.

As much as I like Rolex you are right, the way they treat people is just sh*t from start to finish, like Ferrari.

Yeh Rolex and their AD's treat people very poorly. Also the way their business is registered in Switzerland is dodgy too can't remember exactly how something to do with charity i think so they probably don't pay their full tax. I think it will all eventually bite them on the ass though 🤔

I am no expert but I swear the tax rate for businesses in Switzerland is quite low anyway.

It is but the way Rolex is registered is a bit dodgy, wish I could remember where I read about it. I don't totally hate Rolex but don't think their watches are worth what they charge especially considering they were just a tool watch maker years ago and theirs nothing fantastic about their watches or movements. I'd have a milgause if any one is giving one away though 🤣

Unpopular opinion, but I’m going to say it - Seiko. I do not understand the appeal. I do not think they look particularly amazing, and those that might be slightly prettier than usual are way overpriced. QC has taken a huge dive over the years, so I think people need to take them off the pedestal. The movements are quite prevalent so why not just go for an affordable microbrand? I could buy a new Seiko for £250-500 or I could go to the grey market or AliExpress and see what catches my eye. Call me a hipster, tell me I’m wrong, I have never owned a Seiko nor actively sought one out at any stage of my watch-buying life.

Vostok - again I do not understand the appeal, and this is coming from someone who bought a slightly leftfield one on a whim 10 years ago. Perhaps I just don’t understand the design, but I am not a fan of many of the designs. I probably understand movement against price, but having owned one I never really got on with it - loud rotor, no quick set date…

Timex - underrated. When they get it right, they have some very nice pieces. The Q reissues are a masterstroke. I like what they are doing.

Rolex is usually style over substance, but we know that. I have a Milgauss - so guilty as charged.

Yeah Rolex is a divisive one these days, sad to say it but for the time being they are unattainable for us regular folks

Seiko is a very interesting brand to debate tbf. I think Seiko need to get a new product photographer cause they look shit on the website, much better in person. The prices are getting to be a bit too much these days. Grey market if you get them discount it's good. I own a Seiko and a Hamilton (at retail they cost about the same) and the Seiko movement is far less accurate than the Hamilton. It may be in house but that doesn't necessarily make it better.

Yep def out of reach for the normal person, luckily lots of really good watch makers out their though 👍

But if you can buy a Hamilton instead, you should buy a Hamilton. I think that’s kind of my point as well - there are better options at almost every price point. It’s kind of a safe, boring choice (to me). 

I appreciate Orient are kind of Seiko, but I think they are ok on their own, so would rather go there if pushed. I used to have an original Mako with a blue dial and Pepsi bezel, and it was ok. I can’t remember why I sold it, probably because I had the older SK diver and preferred that, so didn’t feel it was a huge loss. I really like the M-Force and was gutted I never went for the model I liked at the time (one of the early generations).

I am being unpopular for the sake of it, but I have never owned a Seiko.

Have to agree a little about seiko. QC not as good as it use to be,constant reissues,and their pricing is a bit high now so not the bang for buck they use to be. When they get a watch right its usually pretty good. I prefer seikos from 70,80,90 and early 2000.

So… nothing from the last 15-20 years?

The prosecution rests.

Just my tuna padi lovely watch with no QC issues. Presage line is nice too and I like the mm300 and shogun but thats about it. But I've also fallen out of love with automatic watches at the moment and big into 70's seiko quartz. Funny how your tastes change over time im sure automatics will come back into favor with me at some point 👍

Overrated: Rolex, Tudor, Panerai, Kurono, Kobald

Underrated: Milus, Merkur

Problem is, the more I talk smack about Seiko the quicker I am going to get a Seiko badge on my profile, and that will really annoy me. How can I get a badge for a brand I don’t even like?

Someone buy me a Seiko…

Tudor overrated? Over-exposed maybe, or more mainstream, but overrated why?

I really agree with a lot of the comments here about Citizen. I think, however, the brand is rated just about right by most - well-made, durable, useful watches without a lot of pretense or bells and whistles (though that new Promaster model kinda pushes the envelope a tad).

My meager two cents:

Underrated: Oris. I know some people think the brand is overpriced considering their constant use of a modified Sellita SW200, but when I combine the styling with their overall quality, I think they're just fine.

Overrated: Seiko. I'm sorry - the vaunted SKX is the most overhyped, under-performing watch that's it's almost unfathomable - even its biggest fans admit there's major problems with it. Huh? Add to that all the QC problems in the past two years or so, and it's safe to call Seiko the Japanese Invicta by this point.

Nothing particularly wrong with them - I think they mostly look flat and dull but that's just my opinion - but they are extremely overrated right now.  Can't think of a more overrated brand currently other than Rolex.

I'll keep this short. Overrated - Rolex. Manufactured scarcity. Underrated - Victorinox. Wonderful QC and extraordinary well made watches. 

Zenith is an underrated watch manufacturer!

I've seen Zenith mentioned a lot here, mechanically they are in a class of their own, I think it does suffer from a brand problem. Nobody really knows them and the pedigree of their movements, If it's good enough for Rolex it must be good 

I’ll go with Cartier. Not sure about your country but it’s all about Rolex Rolex Rolex in asia! Cartier seems to lurk under the shadows (which is good for me) 

It is a pity but it is what it is. I am sure, things will change in the future fringers crossed

If I'm not mistaken Longines is massive out there as well

Monta is underrated, hell of a watch. My overrated pick would be Kurono Tokyo.

For me, I think you can only comment fairly if you’ve at least owned and worn a watch of the particular brand you mention. I’m a pathological buyer and seller, I’ve owned 400+ watches and I hover around 10 as my regular number in my possession , some are long term keepers my Rolex Sub, Doxa Sub and my Seiko Alpinist. I usually have at least one other Seiko or Orient in the rotation and I’ve had pretty much every Seiko Diver type, BFK, Sumo, Caesar, Skx’s Turtles et al 

I think someone nailed it when they said Seiko were not as good as they used to be, for me there are too many models and “limited editions”, a clear marketing ploy, and the QC issues with alignment are simply inexcusable for a company as big and historical as they are.

anyway to the question

overated Marathon.  My Marathon Tsar was sent back the same day, way way overpriced and the bezel which looks big and solid in photos felt as light as a feather and tinny. I’ve had £30 Second hand Accurist watches of better quality.

underrated  Hamilton, any I’ve had were excellent, much better than any Tag Heuer I’ve had. I also agree with the Citizen comments, great watches.

I love Hamilton, probably my favourite brand (of watches I own). Doxa is one I have looked into I really like their 300 Carbon watches, the yellow dial and yellow strap looks funky but I am very drawn to it, even if it is very expensive :(

In the few weeks since this exchange - I’m going to join you on this one. 👍

I‘m genuinely sick of the sight of modern Tudor and the Black Bay. It’s literally all people say when you mention them; they are a one trick pony. I will eventually buy a vintage one when I stop messing about with everything else I come across, but until then, they’re off the radar.