Need advice on first watch purchase: Seiko SARX055 Baby Snowflake vs Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
Hello everyone,
I'm new to the watch world and I'm looking to buy my first watch. I've narrowed down my options to the Seiko SARX055 Baby Snowflake and the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80, but I'm having a tough time deciding between the two.
I love the unique texture of the Baby Snowflake's dial, but the PRX's modern design is also really appealing. My budget is around $1000, and I want to make sure that the watch I choose can last a long time with moderate care.
I'm currently leaning towards the Seiko because I saw a video that suggested the Tissot's movement contains plastic parts, which might make it less durable in the long run. However, I'm not completely sure if this is accurate, so I was hoping to get some opinions from the community.
If you have any other watch recommendations in the same price range, I'm all ears! I'm open to suggestions and would love to hear about any other watches that you think might be a good fit for me.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Baby Snowflake all the way!!!
The finishing on it, the titanium construction (if you like titanium), the comfort... this is a watch that is truly phenomenal.
I don’t have any experience with the Tissot, but I can say the Baby Snowflake is very nice. I like the light weight of the titanium, and the finishing is great.
Not an easy choice. Did you have the chance to try on the PRX Powermatic 80? While it's fine with some, others find it not that easy to wear.
I would expect the these movements to have some plastic parts, usually for the calendar, which makes perfect sense for a low-torque gear against a plastic ring.
The Powernatic 80 however may not be serviced by every watchmaker, which has to do with the way it's regulated.
That being said, I'd have no strong concerns buying either watch.
The Tissot is serviceable, and should have zero durability issues beyond the normal ones that watches have. The moving parts in a movement, regardless of material, all wear and get replaced.
If you're looking for a nice three hander check out Christopher Ward's C63 and C65 Dune lines. They don't have the "fussy" dials, the two you posted do, but if you're not 100% sure you'll love the busy textured dial forever, a simple lacquer or sunburst dial might be the better bet.
Stylistically, I think the Seiko is gorgeous and decidedly the more "dressy" and "classical" of the two, whereas the PRX is more sporty (has lume too) and "on trend" with its integrated bracelet. It's really up to your tastes on the aesthetic front.
Quality and reliability-wise, I think the jury is still out on the Powermatic 80, it's used in a ton of references from the Swatch group, and I'm not aware of any widespread complaints or glaring issues, but it is fairly new. Seiko is usually rock solid with their movements, but the 6R15 in the Baby Snowflake has a pretty generous accuracy rating (+25/-15 seconds a day) and about 30hrs less of a power reserve than the PM80 (if that matters to you).
Movements aside, I have several Seikos as well as a PRX and while the PRX is not quite as pretty, it's darn near perfect. The dial is clean and well-aligned, and the indices are neatly applied. My Seikos however do have things like chapter ring and dial alignment issues, a bit of dust under the crystal, and poor bracelet endlink fit.
As far as how they wear, I don't have experience with the Baby Snowflake specifically, but Seiko cases generally fit very comfortably, but the bracelet sizing can be hit-or-miss. Personally, I really like how my PRX wears/looks on my 7.25" wrist (pic below for reference). But ultimately, you might want to try both on if you can. The PRX, because the effective lug to lug of the end links makes it wear bigger than the 40mm diameter would suggest. And the Seiko, because of the titanium case and bracelet: It's rare, but I've heard some folks don't care for the perceived "cheap" feel the lightness of Titanium can have when on the wrist.
I also might take a look at the Tissot Gentlemen, it's sort of midway between the two you're interested in. Either way, both are great watches from great brands I'm sure you'll enjoy for years to come! 🍻
You really can't go wrong with either watch. I think the Seiko is a bit more dressy. There is an irresistible elegance with the snowflake dial, the polishing and beveled sword hands that sucks me in.
Not an easy choice. Did you have the chance to try on the PRX Powermatic 80? While it's fine with some, others find it not that easy to wear.
I would expect the these movements to have some plastic parts, usually for the calendar, which makes perfect sense for a low-torque gear against a plastic ring.
The Powernatic 80 however may not be serviced by every watchmaker, which has to do with the way it's regulated.
That being said, I'd have no strong concerns buying either watch.
The plastic parts are apparently the palette fork & escape wheel. There are higher grades of this movement where they are metal however
The plastic parts are apparently the palette fork & escape wheel. There are higher grades of this movement where they are metal however
Interesting, it makes sense from a torque perspective. I'm wondering if and how it would impact friction of the escapement components.
i mean, both are beautiful altho seiko kinda gave me the grand seiko vibes. anyhow, cant go wrong with these two !
I was quite taken with this dial. Fits your budget. Also a good movement.
The CITIZEN NB1060-12L
Go for the Seiko! The dial is so extraordinary.
Buy the one that moves you more when wearing it. Using all these pros and cons, preferences, whatever, can get you to a point. A narrowing of the field. You are already there though. All that's left is to put each one on and buy the one that gives you the better feels.
This hashtag broke the mobile layout. There is a horizontal scrollbar wherever this post is featured 😂
That Seiko is stunning, they are way above their price point regarding the finishing of the dial and the attention to texture and overall feel of the watch I would say... Not a big fan of the PRX that has indeed some plastic parts in it, that are designed not to be serviced but to be replaced... It really depends on why you buy watches, for myself I enjoy that idea of a mechanical device where everything is supposed to last, without any planned obsolescence. But either way, I hope you'll be happy with your first watch!!
I don’t have any experience with the Tissot, but I can say the Baby Snowflake is very nice. I like the light weight of the titanium, and the finishing is great.
What’s your wrist size may I ask?
Baby snow is very nice and super light! They are both beautiful watches so you cant go wrong with either.
What’s your wrist size may I ask?
6.75”
6.75”
Ok good to know. I have a 6.5” wrist and I’ve always wanted a baby snowflake. I’m just concerned it will look too big at 40.5mm and being all dial.
Ok good to know. I have a 6.5” wrist and I’ve always wanted a baby snowflake. I’m just concerned it will look too big at 40.5mm and being all dial.
I measure the lug to lug as 46mm, with the bracelet end links measuring out to 50mm. But there is a nice downward angle that helps hug the wrist. The big white dial does make it appear larger.
Seiko. Easy choice.
Take a look at Monta , save a bit more money and get a Noble on the bracelet. You won’t regret that purchase….
I agree totally, not making a 37/38mm version of the PRX is a big mistake
Go for the Seiko! The dial is so extraordinary.
It looks well on that strap. Nice combination.
It looks well on that strap. Nice combination.
Thank you!
As a fan of both brands and for what they bring to the table it's really hard to choose cause both bring so much bang for your buck, but if it was up to me the Seiko and I onky say that because with that style of Seiko watch you can dress it up and down including switching bands with the PRX although you can dress up and down depending on your style i feel that the Seiko is more versitle than the PRX