Seiko watches are popular for their cost-effectiveness and extensive product line. In this article, we’ll provide you with five key points you need to know before buying a Seiko watch to help you make a more informed choice.
There are many questions you may have when considering purchasing your first Seiko watch, and the Seiko brand offers a wide range of choices, from specialized dive watches to elegant, hand-crafted timepieces. If you are considering getting your first Seiko watch, then this article is for you. We’ll delve into all aspects of Seiko watches to help you make a more informed decision before you buy. Here are the top five things you should know before you buy a Seiko watch.
Brand and Product Line Overview
There are many different makes and models under the Seiko brand, and the naming rules vary. For example, there are significant differences and overlapping price ranges between Seiko, Grand Seiko, King Seiko and Credor, which can easily be confusing. Prices range from a few thousand to tens of thousands, making the choice even more complicated. Therefore, it is important to conduct adequate research when deciding to purchase a Seiko watch.
For example, you can buy a Seiko watch for a few thousand yuan, and you may also buy a Crown Blue Lion or Claude product for the same price. Therefore, be sure to do your research and clarify your needs and budget before purchasing to avoid wasting money.
Seiko’s History and Reputation
Seiko is a Japanese brand with a rich history, founded in 1881, long before Rolex (founded in 1905).
Seiko is known for its excellence in watchmaking and precision timekeeping, having timed the Olympic Games and served as timekeeper for the Olympics, and its Clado line represents high-end watchmaking, capable of producing complex functions such as the minute repeater. It is a very respected brand in the watch world, and the Credor series even represents Seiko’s highest level of watchmaking expertise, including complications such as minute repeaters.
So while Japanese watches may not be as good as Swiss brands in the luxury watch arena in the eyes of some, Seiko’s position and reputation in the watchmaking industry cannot be ignored, and its products are widely respected and recognized.
Materials of Seiko Watches
Seiko watches use various types of crystal materials, including sapphire, mineral crystal, and their proprietary Hardlex material. For example, they utilize their exclusive Hardlex crystal as a watch glass material, which falls between mineral crystal and sapphire. Sapphire crystal offers excellent scratch resistance, second only to diamond, but is relatively expensive. Mineral crystal, on the other hand, is less scratch-resistant and more prone to damage, but is more affordable. Hardlex, positioned between the two, strikes a balance—it is neither too soft nor too hard, offering good scratch resistance and durability at a reasonable cost. While it may not be as hard as sapphire, Seiko’s choice represents a trade-off between price and performance.
Therefore, using Hardlex crystal should not be considered a poor choice outright. Instead, one should evaluate the watch’s overall performance and features comprehensively.
Movement Display and Movement Functions
The mechanical movements of Seiko watches are one of their main attractions, especially for those who like to admire the workings of the movement.
Many models offer a transparent caseback that allows the wearer to admire the movement in action. At a relatively affordable price, you can get a Seiko watch with a transparent caseback that allows you to see the movement in action, something that can be achieved at a much higher price point with other luxury brands. This design can be found in many of Seiko’s price ranges, making Seiko watches an excellent value for money option.
However, it should be noted that Seiko’s movements may not be as finely polished and decorated compared to some of the higher-end brands, but this does not detract from their performance and reliability. However, some of the more affordable Seiko movements may have large deviations in timekeeping accuracy, such as a daily error of around 20 seconds, whereas movements from brands such as Rolex may have an error of only around 2 seconds within the cost specifications. Overall, however, for consumers looking for value for money and movement functionality, the reliability and ease of maintenance of Seiko movements make them the choice of many micro-brand watches. Micro-brands like Baltany, which specializes in vintage watches, use Seiko movements in the manufacture of most of their watches, which is a testament to their reliability and ease of use.
Buying Advice
If you plan to browse and purchase watches on Seiko’s official website, it is recommended that you reserve ample time for research and comparison when purchasing Seiko watches.
Because Seiko offers a wide range of subcategories and models, each series has hundreds of watches to choose from.
Such as the professional specifications of Prospex (including dive watches, etc.), the elegant and handcrafted Presage, the affordable Seiko 5 (covering a variety of styles such as casual street style, military style, pilot series, GMT, etc.) and the Astron series, this is undoubtedly a huge challenge and it is easy to be dazzled.
There are some Seiko alternatives on the market that are well made and also use Seiko movements, perhaps at a cheaper price, such as this Baltany 200M Waterproof Auto Dive Watches, which isn’t a bad option either
During the purchase process, you may encounter many choices, so learning from others’ experiences and researching others’ choices can save you a lot of time.
In short, Seiko watches provide consumers with a wide range of choices with their rich product lines, long history, reliable movements, and diverse mirror material choices. I hope this information can help you better understand the Seiko brand and help you find your next watch. Before buying, fully understanding the above information will help you choose a Seiko watch that suits you and enjoy the fun and quality of life brought by watches.
For more watch review articles check out >>>>>