Becoming a Seiko fan in 2023

There is no wrong time to join. We humans tend to struggle with change as we get older, and we complain like mad about it. But things do change. You have managed to find watches within a brand that you love. That is all that matters. And most probably given a few years, you will find other watches from other brands that you also fall in love with. Enjoy what you have, while you have them.

I mainly collect Japanese watches and Seiko's my favorite brand! There are a bunch of designs that I've fallen in love with and many more that I'd like to add to my collection some day.

The thing about Seiko is that, particularly with their new watches and pricing strategy, you have to be discerning about how you spend your money. Oftentimes it's better to wait a while and pick up the watch you want for 20, 30, or even up to 50% off. At MSRP, the cost of many of their mid-range offerings is on the steep side considering what you can get from comparably priced alternatives from Swiss brands like Oris, Longines, etc. Brand loyalty is great, but it's important to be an informed consumer.

I've also lately been getting more into vintage Seiko. They had some really cool designs in the 70's and 80's. I'd love to see some of them return as reissues some day.

Some of the Seiko's from my collection. I'll soon be adding more!

It's no secret I'm a fan. I've trusted Seiko with my life, it will always be my favorite.

Microbrands take Seiko movements and make better watches with Sapphire crystals and better bracelets. The best Seiko's have those things put on aftermarket sadly.

Joined days ago. You do you. Love your choices

Yeah, I love them so far, and the opinion of others wouldn't change that. I was just wondering if people here felt the same way as guys like Jody from Just One More Watch who have sworn off of Seiko's more expensive releases.

When I got my Willard, I considered Zelos or Christopher Ward instead, but I loved the way the Willard felt on my wrist. If I could have tried those microbrands on my wrist, I might have been more swayed.

True, it seems like the contingent that still view Seiko as a value brand are having the toughest time with these changes. Compared with the SKX, it's just harder to explain why (certain) newer releases, like the Presage GMT, are still an excellent value at their price point, especially with a good discount.

I agree about being aware of other options, brand-wise. I tried Oris and Longines, as mentioned, but at least in my region, those were definitely a jump in price. I got my Willard for about US$900, and the Hydroconquest and Aquis were more in the US$1600-2000 range. Overall, I think Seiko found a good niche, price-wise. They're competing more with Certina and Mido, than Longines.

Man, I need a Samurai. That's an awesome dial. Hell, they all have awesome dials. That's probably the main reason I fell in love with Seiko to begin with.

The Sammy was my first! I still love it. I plan on getting a good rubber strap for it soon so I'll be inclined to wear it more often. The OEM bracelet is a bit of a stinker. Despite that, it's a really striking watch, for sure.

I feel the same way you do, I do not understand the negative feelings , I have also heard , at least 50 percent , that they are on a level if not higher than Rolex, so , I got a solar world timer Seiko last year and am thrilled with it it connects to satellites wherever you touch down and automatically readjusts which I think is pretty cool. I am going to Japan (6th time) I think it will be fun not to go for work and also as a rabid watch fan !!!

Seiko doesn’t suck . I’ve been a fan 41 years at this point in time and never thought less of the ones I’ve personally owned…

They still got more affordable models and the older models are out on the second hand market.

There are so many cool Seikos. You can easily just collect Seikos for life. The price hikes comes with improved quality, so there is also an option if you want to push the budget. And there is GS, LX, KS and MM if you wanna go wild.

There are things to improve at Seiko like all other companies. But you can't hate on Seiko, they make something for everyone and listen(somewhat) to the watchcrowd and a still relatively affordable.

I visited Japan a couple of time. Unfortunately, I wasn't a watch fan at the time. I would've been drooling over all of the Seikos (and Casios).

I am also rather new to Seiko, but man, I love them so much already. They really know how to dials and cases. I could easily buy a new Seiko every month 😂

Eyeing a baby marine master at the moment.

So many good Seikos for any taste and budget. The used and vintage markets have ridiculous deals, I got this World Timer from the 1990s for $60. I also really enjoy the SPB143 and Grey Ghost kinetic from 2002

just enjoy your watch journey. I love Seiko too because it's still accessible brand for all price range, like Casio. Here my few Seikos for the last 5 years collecting 😀

Hey, we've got 2 of the 5500 of this "limited edition."

I absolutely adore Seiko, their models make up the majority of my collection. I still think Seiko is good value, but it's clear they've shifted up market and we're seeing clearer demarcations between their different lines with the re-launch of Seiko 5, as well as the somewhat newer branding of the Presage and Prospex lines. Gone are the days of deflated prices on the grey market for any Seiko model you could dream of. I think we were all spoiled to live in that era of Seiko. But if you're patient, you can still find good discounts on the grey market.

If you look at the entirety of what you get with Seiko - rich history, reliable in-house movements, iconic designs, beautiful dial work (one of their strongest selling points IMO), Zaratsu finishing, etc. - I think they hold up very strongly against competitors.

I got a SKX 9 years ago as a gift which was my first automatic watch and it actually made me wear a watch again. Seiko was a gateway to my hobby down the years.

I find their designs more interesting and different to other brands, just look at their Dive watch designs. There is lot of classic models and history behind their models. I completely agree there are lot quirks that come with Seiko, personally I never had an issue with their current pricing. Especially you never pay the retail price for the watch since you always get a discount. They clearly relaunched their models through different lineups to position themselves at different price point. When a manufacturer makes everything under their own umbrella, it is going to take time for them to fix few things.

I got the Presage GMT too, didn't even think twice before I pulled the trigger on that model.

I have a list of Seikos to currently add to the collection this year 😅

I have some great watches, but I love my Seiko watches. They actually have as much history as other storied brands, and in my opinion they offer some of the most beautiful dials in the industry at every price point. The movements are reliable, whether quartz or mechanical, and mine at least just make me smile! I really want one of the Presage with the blue "waffle" dial, though that is moving to the upper end of the Presage line. If I have one complaint, I wish they would offer the Presage in a simple 3 hand without the date complication, but that's just me.

1st January 2022 = 0 Seikos

1st March 2023 = 5 Seikos

Nice watch!

Two words…crafter blue

I'm already planning on getting straps from Clockwork Republic. Their rubber straps with custom integrated end links are dope.

I’ll look into them, thanks!

Big Seiko fan too. My Willard is my favourite watch, gets far more wrist time than my Seamaster or Aqua Terra - I'd argue it's every bit as well finished,if not better as the DLC coating makes it much more resilient....imho the Seiko sweetspot is around the £1000 mark, tho buy used & save a fortune. Don't bother with the old stuff, the SKX was good value in its day but was never a "great" watch that the YouTubers make out - the 5kx is better in every practical way.

Yes you can get microbrands with higher spec for less, but they lack history, often unoriginal, often cheap and tacky looking (Zelos) & may disappear after a year or two. Just not my thing in the slightest.

somewhat I agree with your statement for SKX, It was a good watch at the time, but life goes on. Seiko, as their tagline "keep going forward", is producing better watch (for build quality) than SKX era

don't listen from so called "influencers" youtube to justify your purchase