How Does Seiko KEEP Getting Away with This? - The Logic-Defying Seiko Presage Cocktail Time 39mm
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- čas přidán 15. 07. 2024
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In this Seiko Cocktail Time review video, I analyze the new 39mm Seiko Presage SRPJ13J1, aka 'The Aviation' watch. Is it worth it? Is it any good?
Thanks to WatchShop for providing the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time 39.5mm for this review. They had no creative control over this video.
🛒 Affiliate Product Links (Worldwide shipping)
39.5mm Seiko Presage Featured:
Aviation Blue Color (SRPJ13J1) ➡ tidd.ly/3HPQDho
Irish Coffee Color (SRPJ17J1) ➡ sovrn.co/17kwygh
Black Velvet Color (SRPJ15J1) ➡ tidd.ly/44XlzWw
38.5mm Numbered Versions:
Mojito Green (SRPE45J1) ➡ tidd.ly/3uPt0Tv
Negroni Red-Brown (SRPE41J1) ➡ tidd.ly/3I68UaJ
Orient Bambino 38mm:
Silver Version RA-AC0M03S ➡ www.tuswatches.com/product-pa...
Cream Version RA-AC0M04Y ➡ www.tuswatches.com/product-pa...
White/Gold Version RA-AC0M01S ➡ www.tuswatches.com/product-pa...
Black Version RA-AC0M02B ➡ www.tuswatches.com/product-pa...
🎬 Chapters
0:00 Inside Seiko HQ
1:42 How Does Seiko Keep Getting Away With This?
2:07 New Presage Cocktail Time 39.5mm
3:16 Worse Than Invicta?
3:54 Who Would Buy This Watch?
4:04 Seiko's Secret Weapon
4:14 I'm Cheating
5:07 Why They're Industry Leaders
6:34 New Dial
7:15 Handset Macro Texture
8:08 What A Looker
8:20 Better Than Before
8:30 Who Will This Fit?
8:45 Why Seiko Charges More For Basic Specs
9:07 Seiko Presage 39mm vs Orient Bambino 38mm
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I use affiliate links when linking products in the video description. Ben's Watch Club is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We also utilize affiliate programs with retailers such as Jomashop, Aliexpress, WatchShop, and more. Please assume any product links could be affiliated.
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Ben's Watch Club tends to cover affordable watches like Seiko, Timex, Casio, Citizen, MVMT, Vincero, Bulova, Orient, Hamilton, and more. We rarely feature luxury watches like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Tudor, Grand Seiko, Cartier, Omega, Audemars Piguet, or Hublot due to their price. - Jak na to + styl
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🛒 Affiliate Product Links (Worldwide shipping)
39.5mm Seiko Presage Featured:
Aviation Blue Color (SRPJ13J1) ➡ tidd.ly/3B2jxZu
Irish Coffee Color (SRPJ17J1) ➡ tidd.ly/3OFcYzG
Black Velvet Color (SRPJ15J1) ➡ tidd.ly/3g5bSBy
38.5mm Numbered Versions:
Mojito Green (SRPE45J1) ➡ tidd.ly/3B2m6L6
Negroni Red-Brown (SRPE41J1) ➡ tidd.ly/3MwrM44
Margarita Cream-Yellow (SRPF37J1) ➡ tidd.ly/3VufiOi
Regular 40.5mm Seiko Presage Cocktail Time (Listed diameters are incorrect):
Espresso Martini Grey-Silver-Brown (SRPE17J1) ➡ tidd.ly/3etKJYH
Mockingbird Green (SRPD37J1) ➡ tidd.ly/3EE3Nhl
Manhattan Brown (SRPB46J1) ➡ tidd.ly/3T0naFZ
It's called the Aviation because it's named after a famous gin-based cocktail that turns blue through the addition of the flower-flavoured purple liqueur crème de violette. Cocktail and watch nerddom unite
And the drink known as Aviation had a sky blue color.
Ryan reynolds owns Aviation I believe
@@MrMadvillan Aviation gin has nothing to do with Aviation cocktail
pin this comment!
@@antoniofossaluzza4675 It makes a nice Aviation though
As both a Seiko enthusiast and authorized dealer, I wholeheartedly agree with you on the Sapphire issue. They really have little to no excuse anymore for not having Sapphire on the Pressage and Prospex watches, especially considering that several of their "Essentials" everyday type watches come with Sapphire crystals now.
Looks like they are willing to change on that too. The new Alpinists have saphire. I think Seiko is too big and too japanese to make fast decisions.
i was between seiko 5 and presage and go for 5 just because of the sapphire issue as i saw one of my friend damaged his presage. the watchs rounded glass especially makes it vulnarable to outside world.
As someone with an SRPB43, I wholeheartedly agree with this.
The problem is Seiko’s major remaining selling point is their brand, but they’re creeping up into price brackets occupied by Tissot and Hamilton, who have sapphire, better bracelets, and ‘Swiss Made’ on the dial.
Exactly, if you want to enter a new price point, good, but provide a good proposition. Seiko is turning from being the best value for money to being a brand name on a dial with nothing more to show for.
They had a really nice place in the watch industry. There current buisness practice of discontinuing watches and replacing them with mediocre products is a shame (SKX and Seiko 5). They really should be working on making Grand Seiko better instead.
More importantly, that "swiss made" means similar priced Hamilton and Tissot are FAR better internally than Seikos too. That Powematic 80 is a ridiculous movement for the money!
Creeping up? They are already more expensive, and outsell both those brands, let's face it, specs are for watch nerds, like us, and do matter if you are in the high luxury end of the spectrum, everyday watches for everyday people need only to look good to sell, just remember mvmt.
@@pedrothevenard MVMT is an example of watches selling in spite of not looking good, actually ;-)
You had so much fun with that intro and it shows - sadistically on point with that remark and grin at the end! Superior stuff Ben keep at it mate
The "floral" dials as you called it look absolutely amazing in real life. Saw it in a shop recently and I was very impressed with the looks.
Yep. I own this watch and it's mesmerizing. Pictures don't do justice. Since you have two eyes and both them see the reflection from a different angle it's looks awesome. However a camera can only show it from one angle. Also I love the size. The smaller diameter is less bulky and therefore perfect.
It's great how your channel has maintained a distinct style and identity as many other channels seem to imitate each other
I appreciate that!
@@BensWatchClubsome may call it “distinct style”. I call it
The dial on the Srpe45 is absolutely mesmerizing!!! I’m convinced seiko and orient had a meeting about how to make sure I spend every dime I have on the “pretty shiny things” they produce.
The production value on dramatic reconstruction of almost true scenario was shockingly high. Standing ovation for the dollar bill shooting gun.
A few years ago I bought a Presage SARW025 JDM which was inspired by the very first Seiko wrist watch, the Laurel. The face is stunning with a herringbone pattern, blued hands sapphire crystal and exhibition case back. I have a few ‘luxury’ Swiss watches but the Presage is my go to daily.
Great video. I thought it was going to be a Seiko bash but you appeared to appreciate the beauty and the work that goes into creating these dials and seemed to be of the opinion that it goes someway in justifying the cost. As an owner of two cocktail times I would agree. I would like sapphire but it's certainly not a deal breaker for me.
That dial is AMAZING! I totally agree, no-date options would be good for the Presages.
Honestly I am always happy to see you upload a video. Your watch reviews are the best on CZcams, no kidding
Gotta be honest... I have NEVER scratched a Hardlex crystal, and they look quite clear. Though... to be honest, I feel the need to be more careful than one with sapphire, for example, my daily watch has sapphire (field watch, Khaki Mechanical) so I don't really care about scratches.
While offering sapphire crystal would be preferable Hardlex isn't all that bad. It's suppose to be somewhat more scratch resistant than mineral crystal yet I haven't found a problem with either. I have a Eco-Drive watch with mineral crystal and it has hardly been scratched up. I guess I'm not being hard enough on my watches which is actually a good thing. My Seiko Alpinist SPB155 watch which does have sapphire crystal looks so much nicer compared to those other cheaper Seiko automatic watches but it also does cost more.
@@Klingonmastr hardlex has a few tests on CZcams and it's just the same as regular mineral crystal. Just a marketing catch that it's supposedly better.
Also that depends on the lifestyle but plenty People in internet complain that they scratched their hardlex while finding a person that scratched sapphire is much more difdicult.
As long as you’re honestly honest.
@@oggyoggy1299 😂ikr?
I have been disappointed not having any new Ben's Watch Club videos to see since I started exploring watches on youtube… this was worth the wait.🙇♂
I have the blue "original" cocktail time, bought it for the dial have it for two years not a single scratch on it (hardlex is just fine).
The 4r is running at about +8 sec which is more than fine in my book , also i prefer it over the 6r because its thinner.
I think this is the best dress watch you can have but it's very subjective.
Mf has no outro tho. The video just ends like that.
I feel like seiko is the best when it comes to dials in all kinds of price ranges, which might be the most important aspect of a watch depending on who you ask, but for almost all other qualities and specifications there are other brands that offer better value.
ask yourself what “value” even means though, as 316 and sapphire are basically worthless without a brand behind it.
This is my exact gripe of Orient: their prices are going up, yet they still rock the mineral crystal. It was fine 10 years ago when Sapphire was still expensive, but it is completely inexcusable today.
ORIENT is still better than its master Seiko
@@zillsburyy1 Debatable. In aggregate, I would say no, but depends on a watch by watch basis.
Agreed, mineral crystal is an immediate deal breaker no matter how nice the rest of the watch is
@@zillsburyy1 if you don't care for really bland watch design then sure it is better. It is quite obvious where Orient cut its cost to make their watches compared to Seikos.
@@datguy8296 you bozo. you call the bambino with small seconds, sun&moon version 3 with white dial, and the bambino cream dial with roman numerals bland???!! the people that cut costs, you mean like seiko with their stamped clasps and mineral glass
I've seen the blue "floral" Presage and I loved it. Never had I before thought of buying one, but this one hooked me.
Hey Ben, a couple things...
1. Don't sleep on that other line of Presages. They're GORGEOUS in person (or even in video - I recommend the Just One More Watch review of the Negroni, which is the red one. That video made me buy one, even though I strained to afford it, and I haven't regretted it for a second.)
2. The dial on those isn't floral. It's based on the geometric textured glasses you get drinks like a Manhattan in. The style of this whole line are based on drinks - like I see someone explained the name of this one. It's also why the second hand on them is shaped the way it is: it's a stir stick.)
Keep up the great work... but seriously, take a closer look at that other line of cocktail times. You won't regret it.
Great review. Looks like a special watch. PS intro was brilliant!
I bought a Seiko snk809 as my first watch back in 2017. Considering what Seiko is offering in 2022 I don't think that I will add another one in the near future
With the Presage cocktail watches Seiko wanted to evoke visions of a classy vintage bar at a relatively low cost. A lot of the money goes into the dial. The movement is quite basic and personally I think they are better on straps than bracelets.
The key issue with this video seems to be the choice of crystal though, and Seiko wanted a highly curved, almost box, crystal. There is no cheap way to do that (certainly not less than £1k) so they went with a curved hardlex. I actually don’t mind hardlex. It is better in some applications and the difference in hardness from sapphire is not really significant.
A lot of the cheaper brands that have been mentioned as using sapphire only offer flat crystals which is cheap enough to cut from a single sheet of crystal. This applies to watches costing up to £1k and above. By contrast a similarly priced Seiko will give you a curved sapphire. And... for a box sapphire crystal I cannot think of a brand that offers one cheaper than Grand Seiko’s SBGW.
Bulova quartz watches use it on many models.
Here, have a little rest. That meat riding must have been very tiresome for you
In my experience, Sapphire reflects light like crazy, and AR is an absolute must. Flat non-AR sapphire is only a little bit more expensive than mineral. Double domed sapphire with good AR is a good bit more costly. I still want it, and will pay the few extra bucks though.
Thanks for this vid, Ben, I never heard of these till now. I own one of the 38,6 mm models you talked about. Mine is the blue dial one called the Old Clock. Its an absolute stunner of a watch, everything you said about this one's dial can can be said about the Old Clock as well, and more even. Having handled and had a few of the other 38,5s on hand I strongly suggest you take a look at one yourself, you wont be sorry!
I want to buy the Black Russian model and put it on some vintage leather. I really don't see the point in sapphire and screw down crown on this one cause it's for an everyday job attire.
I thought about other brands and models but what puts me off is the Miyota automatic loud rotor movement.
Seiko just hit it for me with that gold rotor. I love it.
@@Stanjara yeah, with that color its pretty much timeless and very versatile. Be warned though, under most lighting conditions its more brown than blacck. Mentioning this because of its name. I saw it in person when I was buying mine, and I actually got my Old Clock with the same mesh as The Russian. Absolutely love it! :)
@@balail9167 Yeah I know, but thanks.
I just want a warmer look :)
I have a 38mm Alpinist Ginza. And it doesn’t look cartoonishly small on my 7” wrist at all. It’s the perfect size actually.
Seiko has been adding sapphire to more watches lately (see their new solar divers), but they really need to have that on anything over say $400.
I got into watches Christmas 2022 with a Seiko Titanium and I was looking specifically for an elegant Seiko with Sapphire at 300 bucks max. Not having Sapphire eliminated a lot of Seiko watches that would have otherwise been also in the race for the budget
Nice Blue Dials, I think Seiko's Blue Dials really stand out, my first was a Seiko 5 in 1983 and I have a few of those still, they just look so classic. My 1983 one cost me a couple of weeks wages so nowadays that would equate to about £900, making an SNK model of today really good value in those terms.
Great vid, Ben, keep 'em coming.
Ben, pretty sure that isn't really you, telling me to text you on telegram ti acknowledge my prize.
I have 2 Presage models, one is Seiko ssa379J1 with a sapphire crystal and the other is SRPB43J1 with a hardlex crystal. They were priced similarly. One thing I noticed is the hardlex crystal is much more dome shaped compared to sapphire. I read somewhere that, while sapphire crystals are not that expensive per se, achieving that shape would cost more. Tbh, I am not sure if this is bs or not, but I see some logic here.
I don't call myself a watch expert but I saw this Seiko watch with the little mechanism viewing window hole in the front dial. And I thought it was one of the most beautiful watches I've ever seen. It wasn't just the viewing window, it was just so beautiful the second hand sweep they had fractions of a second marked it was just mesmerising. You just seem to amp up all the joy of the whole automatic experience. It absolutely blew out some other more expensive watches in the shop window that looked almost tacky in comparison. In my view if you want to get compliments, either get a Rolex or something that looks absolutely beautiful like this. Yes I don't work for Seiko, I'm only searching CZcams because I saw it in a shop.
Ben, you make the best watch videos. Keep it up. 🤝
Damn.. really went all in with the skit and props! Well done! 😂
Another great video Ben 👏
Advert for a Shark hair dryer before your video…….. that made me giggle.
Lovely video as usual. Thank you, Ben.
It is not “a fraction per unit” sapphire is around 10 times the price especially with the much needed coatings. I’m talking about prices from glass suppliers, this can be verified if you check prices on watch parts suppliers. Yes, 10 times the price. But wait, on a watch like the Presage, it will be even more due to the shape.
Movement wise, it was always the case, we can get ETA/Sellita 2824 watches from $300 to $3000. Actually the 4R35 range is narrower. People buy watches primarily based on design/looks and how special/premium it feels. The Presage feels much, much better than any of the other watches, and also looks better. That’s why people buy it, not the specs.
However, the king of special/premium feel versus price is by far Orient Star. My Orient Star Standard feels and looks better than many of my $1500 watches. Orient is really the best when it comes to value for money, at most levels.
Good comment. I think when Seiko use flatter crystals they could afford sapphire though for another £20 or so. People would pay the extra I’m sure.
@@jacc88888 I agree. They could, and these days I think most people are willing to pay for sapphire. But who knows what their research tells them. I would believe they run studies about what people want and what can sell them more watches. Probably the vast majority of their market is not enthusiast like us.
@@d3xmeister Yes i think you’re right. The non enthusiast will probably have no idea that you can get sapphire crystal on a watch for under $100 these days. When a friend showed me his Rolex about 15 years ago and was boasting it had a sapphire crystal instead of glass I was naive enough to presume it was natural sapphire that probably cost a small fortune. I was in awe. It was only when I got into watches I realised it can be grown artificially in a lab relatively cheaply.
@@jacc88888 The cheapest sapphire available for these Presages is $99. The cheapest mineral is $3,80. In this case it’s a larger discrepancy due to the shape, but even for flat crystals the sapphire is around 10 times more expensive. Cheap sapphire is awful, you need it to be high quality plus good coatings, otherwise the light transmission is really, really bad. Mineral is much, much clearer natively although its quality also makes a difference. For example, Cousins mineral is less clear than Sternkreutz, same with sapphire, that’s before any coatings.
There is no question sapphire is preferable to mineral if the transmission is made to be at least close, what I’m saying that things are not as easy and simple as people commenting would believe
@@d3xmeister Sternkreutz are selling flat sapphire 1.8mm thick for about £20. Not sure how that compares with a Seiko quality sapphire with good AR coating. Seiko would buy in bulk so I can’t imagine even a considerably superior quality Seiko sapphire crystal to the Sternkreutz with AR coating would cost any more for the customer. Like you said, when it comes to domed sapphire that’s a different story though.
Even though I agree, there is a slight benefit with mineral glass, it’s less reflective than sapphire. And it’s actually pretty easy to polish out scratches on mineral glass. However I would not likely pay more than about $400 for any watch with mineral glass.
Your quite right, Seiko need to sort this out. It's not acceptable to fit mineral crystals to watches of this price. But let's face it took them many years to get their bezel alignment sorted out.
i own a presage margarita, bought it 7 years ago for 250 euros, couldnt complain about the mineral glass at that price range and i still love it, but if seiko starts to sell presages for 500 dollars they really have to give us a sapphire.
I must admit that this watch had me on the fence for a couple of months, but with prices having come down (in one case, mine, considerably) I pulled the trigger. I think the bracelet is not all that brilliant, to put it mildly, but the head-dial-hands....oh my. On a good leather strap it becomes a watch transformed and punches more than a bit above its weight. No Bambino 38 for me then.....
That intro.......is awesome! 😂
Found your channel from your Holzkern Review, when searching for reviews of wooden watches. Left me wondering if the watches made by Aarni are actually worth the price.
Which is a better pick the blue moon bracelet edition or the green mojito leather strap edition
How do manufacturers keep getting away with only offering overly large watches?
I am old enough to remember when a gents watch was 32 to 35mm.
Even 28mm was called a "small gents".
The sooner the fad for wearing a clock on your wrist ends the better.
A company the size of Seiko should be offering most of their watches in the widest range of dial sizes AND with the choice of automatic or mecaquartz movements....
You're so right! I cringed at the final shot at 9:04 The watch BARELY fits under the cuff
I agree. 38mm is the ideal watch size for me. Could get away with a 39mm maybe but 40 and above no way.
Fun video Ben! Thanks
I have a cocktail time skydiver and I got the crystal replaced by a sapphire. Long Island watch company does this for around $120. Looks amazing. Company was easy to deal with and fast.
$120 for a crystal replacement? I know it's sapphire but that sounds a bit pricey. Unless it's also dome-shaped or something...
Why’s the boss stuck behind a tiny desk and the lackey employee on a gulf course?
Are there watches in the presage selection that do have the lumens, movements, dial, and sapphire?
6:53 This shot sold me. Unreal 😍
i have this watch ( SRPJ13 ) I use it with a black leather strap. Although many features such as sapphire glass are behind the homage watches ,Perfect spotting “ like a piece of art “ 👏👏. And i have citizen NH8390-03XE close to homage watches prices but looks better than all ..
I'm always on the lookout for alternatives, but in the end I always come back to Seiko. I can just sit there and admire the beauty of the dial of the watch on my wrist. Sure I can have better specs, but how does that help me when I don't like the looks as much. (Not paying UVP for their watches anymore though. Those 1000 for the Presage Sharp Egded Rose Gold with the movement not being finished in any way, not even the gold rotor like in other presage, are just ridiculous)
I definitely understand what you are saying. I wanted to buy a SARB033 for my birthday, but I refuse to pay the ridiculous prices. So I bout the powermatic 80 version of the PR100. I returned it immediately. The case was no where near what I was looking for. But I also still refuse to pay those terrible prices for a SARB. So I just bought a Dresskx and am getting the new 38mm bambino as the beginning of an affordable 3 watch collection
From what I’ve heard from my insiders, that intro was pretty accurate.
Seems like they put all the budget into the dial and finishing. You could argue a dress watch doesn't need a sapphire because it won't be banged around as much
Check out the maen Manhattan 37 dial Ben! It’s greatly finished with cote de geneve
Ben you need to do a review of this watch! I was on timexes website and i literally saw a Pac man edition weekender which i thought was so cool. It even lights up the whole display as far i know which is really cool.
Check out the Citizen nb1060-12l for a gorgeous dial at a similar (slightly higher) price point
This is just another example of seiko fans wanting it all-- As a seikopath myself, we always bitch that we want more intricate dials, more styles and better quality everything, but we don't want to pay for it. We can't have it all and we need to stop being greedy. No swiss watch even CLOSE to this price has dial work of this quality. The movement is cheap and easy to service, and the bracelet can be swapped with one of HUNDREDS of strap makers out there. Everything wrong can be easily fixed. If a swiss brand charged $700 for that dial work and a selitta movement, you'd all be ecstatic.
I agree, I wonder how many people complaining about Seikos in the comments actual own or have seen one of these Presage watches in person. I don’t think they realise how much attention goes into the dial design and manufacture. I have a black dial Tissot Visodate and the dial looks absolute junk compared to my Seiko Cocktail time. So what if it has a Swiss movement inside, sapphire crystal and is a Swiss brand when it looks inferior?
What about the higher end presage SPB205 it’s a looker with set a fire glass.
As usual Ben hits the nail on the head.
Dope intro 😂😂😂 True story 🎯💯🤙🏽
What are the best value seiko watches for every occasion?
This is why Ben forever remains the BEST WATCH CZcamsR!
Great points. I bought the presage 100% for the dial because it's bloody gorgeous. It IS really disappointing to have that gorgeous dial under the mineral ... err.. hardlex crystal. Mine is already riddled with a ton of scratches. Come on Seiko!
A worthy rival to the Orient Bambino. This is the Corolla to the Civic lol
intro slow-mo money gun is epic!
What's the difference between this watch and the Seiko SARY217?
I think its more about availability and supply chain when cheaping out. They're a vertical producer. Guessing they want to keep up the mineral glas production for their cheapest watches and needs to keep volume up.
Legitimately hilarious. Well done!
That butterfly clasp is criminal. Looks like something you’d see on a $50 watch
If I buy an automatic I want it to carry that on the dial… I may know it but if I show it to someone n we talk about it it’s always great to have automatic there
"What's next, micro-adjustment holes" hurts when I look down and see my $800 Alpinist with two adjustment holes on the bracelet...
Anyone know the lug2lug size of this watch?
Honestly, I just don’t care about sapphire. I used to but after owning both mineral and sapphire for some time, it makes no real difference. I take basic care of my watches and crystal scratches are just not an issue. I have one scratch on one mineral watch over a 15 year period and it was a freak accident and honestly you would have to have it pointed out in just the right light to see it. Mineral crystal also seems to be less reflective without AR coating, which might be why Seiko prioritizes them on watches where the dial is the highlight. Don’t get me wrong, sapphire is nice, but it is far from a deal breaker.
That all said, what does bother me, is misaligned chapter rings, indices and or visible to the naked eye dust on the dial. These are things I have experienced on a mid priced Seiko and that is something I would very much like to see changed. It is to the point I would not buy a Seiko again unless I had it in my hand first to inspect.
Agreed regarding the QA. Although I will buy online and if there's an issue I will not hesitate in sending it back. I have four Seiko's and only one has sapphire (flat and recessed from the bezel), as a daily beater worn for more than 12 years the least bit dinged up part of the watch is the glass. I recently got a Citizen but it has more of a dome so it was a higher value proposition to have sapphire as it's a higher likelihood the glass will make contact with stuff. Not that I plan to bang it into things, but it's the reality. Not sure if it's just my watches but I find the mineral watches fog up more than the sapphire, I always feel like I'm wiping the glass clean for my prospex.
Seiko really doesn’t have a strong value proposition anymore. Across any of their watches.
Maybe Grand Seiko still holds good propositions in their entry level luxury watches and their spring drives but I do agree, their Seiko lineup has been increasingly disappointing in terms of value.
I love the presage and find some to hold their value well.
Enjoyed the video!
I do feel the skit at the beginning was a bit harsh😅. Just like you concluded, I think Seiko don’t need specs to command higher prices than some of their microbrand competitors. The watches are simply more beautiful, and they also have the brand kudos to back up their higher prices.
For me, indeed, some of their newer releases (I’m looking at you, Alpinist line) are a bit of a letdown in terms of specs for the price, but they still are some of the best looking watches you can get for the money imo.
Peace!
P. S. Ben stresses how much he expects sapphire at above - say £200 - in many of his videos. While I agree I would take sapphire over hardlex any day, in my experience hardlex is still very good. I've got a 7-year-old SKX that I've worn regularly and I've only put a few very minor scratches into the crystal.
Sent you a business e-mail some time ago and was wondering if you got it?
That intro!!! Ahahah Ben you are the best
I was put off the Seiko Hardlex when I got my first Seiko 5 and scratched it on the first day of wearing it.
In comparison, I got a Tissot Visodate ( my first Sapphire watch) and, after pampering it for months, started wearing it to work (maintenance man) and have knocked and bashed it around for about three years now. The Sapphire is 99% scratch free. There is the tiniest of scratches, so small that I have to search for it, under bright light, to spot it.
I won't buy another watch unless it has a Sapphire glass.
Seiko is missing out on selling watches.They need to switch entirely to Sapphire.
Shouldn't the lacky be calling from the office while the boss is on the golf course?
Check out the Pagani Design PD2770. It's a lower priced alternative to this, although it has a 43mm case.
Can you review latest Timex marlin 40 mm
Seiko got me into watches. My first automatic was the SKX (still have it) and I've had a couple of others over the years. What they've been doing in recent times makes me not wanna see the Seiko name on a watch anymore, when it comes to picking what I'll buy next. Just look at the SKX replacement, those 5 series watches. Sure, they solved the winding and hacking issues the 7S26 had, but they completely removed one of the key elements of a diver's watch - the screwdown crown. Still, the watch look EXACTLY like an SKX and emulates a true diver. Why? It's not a diver, so making it look like one is just stupid. It also comes in like 60 different colour options. Like, who cares about that anyway? It's like apple releasing an SE version of a phone simply because they had a bunch of cases of older phones lying around that they don't know what to do with. Also, in the price range of those watches you can literally get a San Martin with solid steel bracelets and a better overall look and feel than Seiko, for example the BB58 homage. This makes me both sad and mad because I HATE what San Martin is doing. Typical Chinese approach to copying and making money off of other brands' success. I have the actual BB58 and the fact that San Martin copies everything without any shame, even the snowflake hand is sickening to me. However, I still believe that watch is a better purchase than any Seiko in the price range. Moving on, buying more expensive Seiko's makes literally no sense because you can get a wonderful Hamilton for that amount of money with ETA movements, better power reserves, Saphire and Swiss made.
It's just mind boggling how bad Seiko has become. They're LOST in the amount of watches and variants of said watches that they're making. Their resources are spread thin, quality is poor and pricing is confusing and unjustified. Sad, really.
I remember Spencer K. once said, sapphire crystal takes away the lustre of a dial and makes it look remote & dull. So he preferes hardex over sapphire. He said, it has to do with the way sapphire breaks the light, vs the clarity of clear glass. So, perhaps Seiko is aware of this too? Specially with regard to presage series due to the nature of the dials? But loved I the little play, it is really how we imagine Seiko CEO decision making, rofl. The money blower, hahaha!!
this variant and the sharp edge range are definitely less attractive in relative comparison to the cocktail time version and also the green and red dial pattern range at 38.5mm you mentioned here. here the guilloche pattern is too fine to be discernable ...probably only under bright natural light
Wrist size?
I found good watch that I think deserves a mention: Alba (Seiko) AEFD557. It’s a solar quartz field watch with a day and date, measures ~37.5mm in diameter (w/o crown, I assume), and 100m WR. Only downside is no lume.
Judging by where it ships from in most listings, it seems to be intended for the Japanese domestic market, but you can get free shipping to the US at around at list prices of ~$55 USD and up. I’ve found them with prices ranging from ~$100 to ~$55 USD. Knowing that it’s basically by Seiko is nice. And, although I haven’t dealt with one irl, it looks like one of the best-value analog quartz field watch I’ve come across so far. And the reviews I’ve found one CZcams speak pretty positively of it.
And honorable mention is one that’s great for those that like the Rolex day-date and khakis king: casio mtp-1381l-1avdf
A lil late but Alba is mostly marketed in Asia. Similar to how Pulsar is marketed in the West.
Great dial and, AFAIC, it stops there. Hardlex front & back. And why that underwhelming 4R35 and not the 6R15?
Yes on the Sapphire BUT there is also the issue that they have not caught on to the fact of the date at 3:00. Totally ruins the symetry on their great dials. When they add the day complication, it doubles the problem. Why are such great desingers oblious to this.
Beautiful watch!
Gone are the days of the Sarb 033/5 (the mini GS for 500€) and the original Alpinist green and the SKX007: now everything is about entry level movements, cheap crystals, sub par assembly, cheap polishing and unconvincing water proofing.
Seiko dials are stunning. It is a shame however the crystal, bracelet and clasps don’t equal them.
Great (and hilarious) review.
It's weird that seiko use so much hardlex, when they have ones with safire like the sur307
I gave up on Seiko years ago!!! My main reasons were their very poor QC & the poor specs to price ratio.. The last one I bought was the straw that broke the camels back.. PADI Samurai.. I think I paid £450+ for the watch. From out of the box it had crown guards that were not evenly spaced & the bezel was out of alignment... I tried to love it, but couldn't get passed the problems.. Not owned a Seiko since!
I really like the look of the smaller green one shown. It’s the reason I’m watching this lol
I used to be behind the fanboys when it made sense a decade ago, but Seiko is off its rocker. The value proposition is long gone and they're squeezing the community dry on nothing but their reputation (which isn't great, when you actually dig into things). Mineral crystal, folded links and end links, and QC issues like off center chapter rings? At a certain price point that becomes inexcusable and Seiko blew right past that a long time ago. I'd rather get something on AliExpress with a Seiko movement in it than get an actual Seiko these days
Say what you will about SEIKO, but their seiko 5 GMT is truly value for money along with the SRPD series, later available in my country for equivalent of 220$ , truly automatic in house movement with good build quality.
While undoubtedly frustrating, never really had a problem the minerals *cough* hardlex
In fairness... That high of a dome is somewhat difficult to do in a sapphire... supposedly.