Why Seiko?
I want to clarify upfront that I have no issues with the Seiko brand; in fact, I own three of their watches.
Recently, I wrote a post on Purchase Influencers (link below) to explore what influences our watch purchases. When I joined WC, I was surprised by how many members owned Seikos. Having limited exposure to watch groups before, I was unaware of the brand's popularity.
To confirm my observation, I decided to review WRUW posts on 8/14 from midnight to 8:15 p.m. The results were striking: Seiko represented nearly 20% of all the total posts (technically 19.77%). Casio and Citizen had a significant presence.
For me personally I became interested in Citizen due to the brand marketing their Eco-Drive technology, which utilizes both natural and artifical light sources. This led to me to explore and ultimately purchase multiple Citizen watches.
Now, I'm curious about your journey into the Seiko world. What influenced your decision to start purchasing Seikos? Feel free to share images of your watches as well.
https://www.watchcrunch.com/drcarter13/posts/purchase-influencers-193819
Early to being a watch enthusiast. Enjoy the history of horology as much as I do the hunt for the next timepiece. I enjoy striking up conversations with folks I don't know and finding out what drew th...
I am just drawn to many of their designs. They’re usually affordable, reliable, and available. As a result, Seiko has always been a large portion of my collection.
I am just drawn to many of their designs. They’re usually affordable, reliable, and available. As a result, Seiko has always been a large portion of my collection.
I love your Seiko SNK369! You have a really nice selection of Seiko as well as other brands too!
It had a Snoopy on the dial. That's the only reason why I bought it. Now that I have one, I'm impressed. I'd recommend the Seiko5
They're cheaper, I still have to get myself a citizen watch, what would you recommend me @drcarter13 ?
I can’t remember the guy’s name, but he’s an Irish ex-musician living in Venice. When he first started on YouTube, he made a series of the best watch/travel related videos I had ever seen. They absolutely blew me away.
The first video I saw in the series featured the Seiko Alpinist and Cortina, Italy. The content and production quality were magnificent. That creator was definitely an influencer for me. I fell in love with both the Alpinist and Italy after watching his videos. To me, the Alpinist is great looking, extremely accurate, and very well-made.
The Alpinist was my first automatic watch, but second Seiko. The first, an inexpensive quartz dress model, was given to me by my parents when I was in high school. It’s still running after more than 40 years.
Is Seiko the highest quality brand in the watch industry? Not even close, but they do offer a solid product for a decent price that will probably run reliably for as long as you choose to keep them in your collection.
Value for money... I wanted a solid, reliable, affordable watch that I wouldn't be scared of wearing and getting dinged.
On top of all that, I think the Turtle looks pretty badass 💪
Vertically integrated, and relatively hard working to produce new and updated models. Wide range from entry to high end. I started with Seiko, and then got pissed with their increased pricing, then I went with Orient for awhile. But Orient range is more limited, and they are slow with new/updated models. They then increases pricing across the board! So back to Seiko selectively. I have nothing against Citizen, but their automatic range are relatively small within Citizen.
I love everything about Japan! Their culture, their food, their discipline and of course their watch heritage. Seiko has a rich history going back to 1881. Their vintage models are pieces of art. Some of the recent discontinued models have become legendary (Alpinist and the SARB line in general, the SKXs, the SNXSs, etc.). If there is a watchmaker that can stand amongst the Swiss is definitely the colossus called Seiko. Are there flaws and QC issues? Of course there are! But if you find the right opportunity and price for a good watch from their hundreds of models then you have a very reliable timepiece in your hands! If you have a good watchmaker with a few bucks you can fix all problems and have a great watch with thousands of dollars less spent compared to a Swiss high end one. I am specifically drawn and amazed by their JDM watches. If you know the market and have friends living in Japan you can find some incredible gems! Don’t get me wrong I don’t compare Seiko with Rolex or Patek but for the money you pay you can have a very beautiful and reliable Seiko standing proudly beside your luxury watch in the watch case! I might be biased because I love Japan but undoubtedly Seiko is one of the most successful watch brands worldwide.
Seiko is my first watch, inexpensive, ready available, a lot of variation. What make me purchase a watch?
availability (you can purchase it with ease), there is not mentioned in your https://www.watchcrunch.com/drcarter13/posts/purchase-influencers-193819
style dan design, you fall in love with it a the first sight
price range
material build & quality
This is the beautiful Baby Grand Seiko (the upper left)
The name Seiko just gets me all excited!
I like my bezel, chapter ring and dial to be slightly misaligned.
The name Seiko just gets me all excited!
Ooh er sir 😮
Japanese and Chinese brands usually give you more watch for your money because their marketing strategy is less predatory than Swiss brands and their infamous 7-10x markups. There are a few exceptions with an honest 2-3x markup as well as complete thieves with a 34x markup.
I like to know that my money is invested into the materials and craftsmanship of the items I buy, watches or anything else, instead of in the pockets of shareholders, brand ambassadors, event sponsoring and other marketing bs so I avoid hype brands.
Japanese and Chinese brands usually give you more watch for your money because their marketing strategy is less predatory than Swiss brands and their infamous 7-10x markups. There are a few exceptions with an honest 2-3x markup as well as complete thieves with a 34x markup.
I like to know that my money is invested into the materials and craftsmanship of the items I buy, watches or anything else, instead of in the pockets of shareholders, brand ambassadors, event sponsoring and other marketing bs so I avoid hype brands.
Very good points!
I love everything about Japan! Their culture, their food, their discipline and of course their watch heritage. Seiko has a rich history going back to 1881. Their vintage models are pieces of art. Some of the recent discontinued models have become legendary (Alpinist and the SARB line in general, the SKXs, the SNXSs, etc.). If there is a watchmaker that can stand amongst the Swiss is definitely the colossus called Seiko. Are there flaws and QC issues? Of course there are! But if you find the right opportunity and price for a good watch from their hundreds of models then you have a very reliable timepiece in your hands! If you have a good watchmaker with a few bucks you can fix all problems and have a great watch with thousands of dollars less spent compared to a Swiss high end one. I am specifically drawn and amazed by their JDM watches. If you know the market and have friends living in Japan you can find some incredible gems! Don’t get me wrong I don’t compare Seiko with Rolex or Patek but for the money you pay you can have a very beautiful and reliable Seiko standing proudly beside your luxury watch in the watch case! I might be biased because I love Japan but undoubtedly Seiko is one of the most successful watch brands worldwide.
Well said my friend!
I have only 2 Seikos, but I do admire the brand due to have so many classic design in an affordable way. Some classic movies also influenced me to like the brand, like Seiko Arnie in Commando and Predator, or Seiko Turtle in apocalypse now.
Funny you mention those movies. I remember watching each of them when I was younger and paid no attention to the wstches they were wearing. Now when I watch a movie or TV show I'm hyper focused on what's on each actors wrist. My wife hates it😂
Their design speaks to me that’s all…and the price point is reasonable for me… plus Spring Drive movemnt is pretty awesome
You have an impressive collection of Seikos/GS. But I love your MOD watches 🔥
A brand with amazing history, genuine innovations, amazing quality, extremely reliable movements. Completely in house build!
There are a lot of brands that can't say those things, Seiko can.
Well said!
It’s the gateway drug to watches. For what it offers at its price point, it’s a great bang for your buck.
Well put!
I posted about Seiko and there was a lot of support for them, however the more I look, the less I like. Cost going up? QC going down? Mine is quartz so nothing to go wrong but the second hand misses most of the minute markers unlike my Casio and Timex... looking into Citizen next. For my 1st mechanical I keep bouncing all over the place brand wise!
Last week, I wrote a series of 7 posts for the SNXS7x Week (Sept. 4-10) #snxs7xweek, giving 7 reasons why Seiko, and specifically why my SNXS79 is part of my collection.
Reason 1: Superbly Versatile
Reason 2: Simply Reliable
Reason 3: Sensual Design
Reason 4: Suitably Adaptable
Reason 5: Stunningly Beautiful
Reason 6: Surprisingly Affordable
Reason 7: Sphinxlike X-Factor
Photos are included in those posts.
You can also check my gallery for my 3 other Seikos. Here are some of my favorites...
Cheers!
That is the ultimate. If she lost it, I can see why she's your "then" girlfriend.
She's now my wife, but only on the off chance she finds it.
You have an impressive collection of Seikos/GS. But I love your MOD watches 🔥
Thank you sir!! 🙏
Last week, I wrote a series of 7 posts for the SNXS7x Week (Sept. 4-10) #snxs7xweek, giving 7 reasons why Seiko, and specifically why my SNXS79 is part of my collection.
Reason 1: Superbly Versatile
Reason 2: Simply Reliable
Reason 3: Sensual Design
Reason 4: Suitably Adaptable
Reason 5: Stunningly Beautiful
Reason 6: Surprisingly Affordable
Reason 7: Sphinxlike X-Factor
Photos are included in those posts.
You can also check my gallery for my 3 other Seikos. Here are some of my favorites...
Cheers!
First time seeing the Berde Brothers reference. Looks fantastic.
First time seeing the Berde Brothers reference. Looks fantastic.
It's our high school class 30th year anniversary commemorative watch. 🍻
It's our high school class 30th year anniversary commemorative watch. 🍻
Nice!
my main gateway to mechanical watches were orient then seiko. i love me some seiko. everyone should own at least one! 🤝 ive yet to own a citizen but i believe they are as stringent as orient when it comes to QC control.
like what @bennylee stated, whenever i hear seiko ---- it makes me excited as well, with all its quirks and shortcomings 😂
It's down to personal preference, the Seiko design language for decades had been a cut above for me.
I can't find a citizen that has wowed me so far, they all have something "off"
On the dive watches the bezels look weird to me and the Y fronts at 12. Etc etc.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder 😍
In the space of 110 years...
Seiko has commoditised the wristwatch...
By combining Japanese engineering...
And mass production...
And the occasional aesthetic flourish...
Bringing high-quality horology...
To the people!
Meaning their vintage pieces are just as good today as their new ones.
In the space of 110 years...
Seiko has commoditised the wristwatch...
By combining Japanese engineering...
And mass production...
And the occasional aesthetic flourish...
Bringing high-quality horology...
To the people!
Meaning their vintage pieces are just as good today as their new ones.
I love their vintage peices. The dials and cushion cases are amazing! Nice collection you have there...