Seiko….explain.
THIS is an Uncle Seiko z199 bracelet on my 143. I bought it to replace the OEM bracelet it came on, which I quickly fell out of love with. Mostly because of the god awful end links that are a total mismatch for the case, but also the general comfort factor. Now, this is the bracelet the 143 should have come on. A throwback bracelet for a throwback watch. The end links match far better with the case and are female so the fit is great. Screw pins rather annoying pin and collar. No dive extension but common, how many of us really uses that? So, Seiko…why do you not have OEM bracelets like this more often? What’s so hard? This was $99, so on a watch that cost $1000+ when new I think that’s in the build budget. Anyway, I digress. What do others think?
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Seiko bracelets are practically an inside joke now... I think Seiko knows that and play into it 😂
I have this watch and don’t hate the bracelet? But is the Uncle THAT much better? I’d consider swapping if it really is.
Seiko's job is to make as much money as possible, while spending as little as possible. Making a nicer bracelet will cost them more money, meaning they make less money from each sale.
The only way to motivate Seiko to make better bracelets is to not buy Seiko watches on the bracelet. Since people still buy Seiko watches with bracelets, why should Seiko waste money making them nicer?
Seiko bracelets are practically an inside joke now... I think Seiko knows that and play into it 😂
I just plan to put any Seiko on an aftermarket strap or bracelet. I don't have time or patience to size their marginal bracelets via pin and collar.
Uncle Seiko bracelet looks great on this 👌 On e of the first things I did with my SPB143 was remove the awful stock bracelet. So far have been rotating it with a bunch of natos and a tropical and waffle rubber straps, but this bracelet has peaked my interest!
I’m in that weird camp, I guess, of people that aren’t bothered by the stock bracelet on the 143. I feel like it matches well and even enhances the look of the watch on wrist. I quite like mine, but I know that’s in the minority.
Maybe it’s the pictures, but that Unkle bracelet doesn’t really seem to match the brushing pattern or the color tone of the watch head. Maybe it’s just my eyes.
I've thought about getting this for my 153 for while now. Since the Diashield makes the SPB's a little darker than standard 316L steel, how do you rate (1-10) the color matching between the bracelet and the watch?
I think your making me buy a bracelet 🙄🤣😂
For me an OEM Seiko bracelet's main use is to sit pretty with the box and papers in case you want to flip it. Actually Seiko kinda poisoned that well by now. Huh, that explains why I keep almost all my watches on straps.
Mneh the color mismatch bewteen the coating on the seiko and simple ss on the bracelet kinda feels wrong to me 😂
All my Seikos are currently on NATOs and I’ve got a handful of different quick release straps made of various materials including rubber, sail cloth, leather etc
My King Turtle, Speedtimer and Seiko 5 DresSKX all got new bracelets.
The bracelets on my SSK003 GMT and Recraft were satisfactory.
Every Seiko watch I have contains a third party bracelet. I actually look at 3rd party bracelets for any Seiko watch I consider buying before I purchase the Seiko.
Seiko's job is to make as much money as possible, while spending as little as possible. Making a nicer bracelet will cost them more money, meaning they make less money from each sale.
The only way to motivate Seiko to make better bracelets is to not buy Seiko watches on the bracelet. Since people still buy Seiko watches with bracelets, why should Seiko waste money making them nicer?
Or even stop buying Seiko in general until they solve long overdue QC issues and improve the bracelets for the money they charge nowadays
Loved this bracelet on my 147 and 62MAS style builds when I had them. Totally agree that Seiko needs to do more bracelets like this!
Bang on, I've got the Z199 for bmy Turtle. Everything's in the taper. Incredible comfort. I don't know what happened to Seiko. When the best bracelet for the watch is an aftermarket option bases on your own product, someone is sleeping on the switch.
I have this watch and don’t hate the bracelet? But is the Uncle THAT much better? I’d consider swapping if it really is.
I feel it is, yes. It’s a different deployment method (simple press fit) and again no dive extension, but to me it’s a total upgrade.
I've thought about getting this for my 153 for while now. Since the Diashield makes the SPB's a little darker than standard 316L steel, how do you rate (1-10) the color matching between the bracelet and the watch?
It’s not perfect, I’ll admit. I’d rate it an 8.5. You don’t really see it unless you look hard, and I can understand if that would bother people. I don’t notice it, but my eyes are terrible 😂
My King Turtle, Speedtimer and Seiko 5 DresSKX all got new bracelets.
The bracelets on my SSK003 GMT and Recraft were satisfactory.
I have a Speedtimer as well and plan to up grade that bracelet. What’s yours on?
I have a Speedtimer as well and plan to up grade that bracelet. What’s yours on?
This is the the Super-JUB II from Strapcode. I am pleased with it.
This pic is from Strapcode site.
It’s not perfect, I’ll admit. I’d rate it an 8.5. You don’t really see it unless you look hard, and I can understand if that would bother people. I don’t notice it, but my eyes are terrible 😂
Thanks. You’re right. It’s all up to how OCD I am. I’ll pick it up. Thanks again
Seiko bracelets are terrible. This US is great. Nice choice!
I feel it is, yes. It’s a different deployment method (simple press fit) and again no dive extension, but to me it’s a total upgrade.
Check out the push button clasp Uncle Seiko makes for this bracelet, it's killer!
https://unclestraps.com/collections/clasps/products/double-button-milled-z199-clasp
Mneh the color mismatch bewteen the coating on the seiko and simple ss on the bracelet kinda feels wrong to me 😂
I thought about getting a different bracelet for my MM200, but was worried about that. The coating does actually make it quite a bit darker
This is why older Seiko's are better that the new ones. The bracelets on both my BF Seiko are good but they kind of need to be as they are pretty much part of the case.
By all accounts, there have been some improvements in #seiko's bracelets in the last year - I was pleasantly surprised that the SSK023 GMT that arrived on my wrist yesterday had solid end links for example. However, the pressed clasp and the propensity for Seiko bracelets to rip hair from my arm like no other brand is still a concern (although other brands' bracelets also give me unanticipated wrist-Brazillians).
My hack is to stay with first-party replacements of the #nato, leather, and silicon variety. Here in #australia I use https://parts.seiko.com.au/spares to hunt down complimentary straps. I assume Seiko has a similar service in other parts of the world...
But in terms of @Sean283's question about the bracelet being part of the build in a $1000+ watch:
Apparently, the bracelet alone retails for AUD$500