Why do we put up with Seikos rubbish straps.
I Love Seiko, I have 7. My issue is with the absolute crap they give us for bracelts/straps considering how much they cost. Even my Ltd Edition Anniversary Ultra Gaurd (nearly £500) has a stiff printed nato, that will peel & fray in no time.
I know they make cool watches with good reliable movements but hardlex & rubbish straps for the money they ask is outrageous IMO.
What's your thoughts?
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George
56yr Auld Fat Scotsman, Married, 4 weans, 4 Grandkids, 2 Dugs, 2 Cats, 100 fish n lots o Watches 🏴
Linlithgow, Scotland, UK
Member since
Last active: 1 hr ago
19.30 cm
Personally I don’t mind them coming on a sub par strap knowing that generally they are keeping the watches at an affordable price and can usually be easily replaced at the commmon mm size available in many different strap options.
They get better as the price rises, eg my Willard bracelet isn't bad - the annoying bit is they insist on putting the naff Diver's extension on that no one uses!
I don't mind pin & collar , after all we only size our bracelet once 👍🏻
They get better as the price rises, eg my Willard bracelet isn't bad - the annoying bit is they insist on putting the naff Diver's extension on that no one uses!
I don't mind pin & collar , after all we only size our bracelet once 👍🏻
I Kinda agree. But, surely we should only change the bracelet because we want to, not because we need to.
Personally I don’t mind them coming on a sub par strap knowing that generally they are keeping the watches at an affordable price and can usually be easily replaced at the commmon mm size available in many different strap options.
If you look at Steeldive, Heimdallr, Addiesdive, even San Martin, they're making good solid watches with Seiko movements, Sapphire glass and ½ decent straps but at a fraction of the price Seiko charge. I don't think Seiko are reasonably priced anymore personally.
Couple of reasons off the top o' me head:
Inertia: The watch community has been so in love with Seiko for making such good watches for good prices for so long that we've kind of overlooked the price rise to some degree. This is sort of beginning to end, IMO
Value: Even with the price rise, the value is still there. Not to the degree it once was, but still there because...
Dials: Seiko makes some GREAT dials and if you have to swap a bracelet/strap to get the dial you want, that's what you do.
If you look at Steeldive, Heimdallr, Addiesdive, even San Martin, they're making good solid watches with Seiko movements, Sapphire glass and ½ decent straps but at a fraction of the price Seiko charge. I don't think Seiko are reasonably priced anymore personally.
You have a valid point there.
I actually like most Seiko bracelets, even down to the pin/collar construction. Sure, the don't feel "solid", but they last decades and are not that heavy.
NATO straps to me are simply interchangeable, and leather is a whole category in itself.
It used to be acceptable when the watches were cheap but that hasn't been the case for a while, it's also the reason why I only buy pre loved Seiko's. Now they are just like Seiko's version of box and papers for a luxury watch, only coming out of the box if you sell it. Also people don't accept it, that's why uncle seiko exists.
I'd say Bulova are an example. I have 3 ranging from £350 to £500. Each watch is made to very high standards using the best materials, they're reliable and in some instances groundbreaking. All 3 have excellent solid bracelets. I agree with your comment above, Seiko know the normal buyer won't mind and enthusiasts will change the straps out, even if the strap was excellent quality to start with. Maybe the issues no Seiko, maybe its us??🤪
Around £325 -350 but always a brilliant bracelet