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Ok let me weigh in and attempt to set the record straight on Seiko.

First of all, Seiko is an extremely ‘worthy brand’.
It is decidedly NOT a cheap and flimsy brand/ product.

The brand has a long history and a strong cachet which is more than comparable to many Swiss brands.

Seiko remains to this day, an independent engineering powerhouse with its own innovations and movements, unlike many Swiss Brands who have simply been subsumed under the larger umbrellas of the big conglomerates such as the Swatch-Omega Group or the Richemont Group and in many cases use more standardised Swiss Automatic Movements like Ronda and ETA.

Seiko uses its own Automatic movements, is the inventor of the Quartz movement in 1968 and the Spring Drive movement more recently.

Some of their watches do command a high price and in my opinion (along with a large number of others in the world), deservedly so.

They have a sub-brand catering to the more budget conscious - it is called Alba. And the mid to upper level Seiko watches within which they have many lines- Prospex and Seiko 5 Sports and Presage and so on. They also serve the prestige end of the Spectrum with King Seiko, the luxury end with Grand Seiko and the very rare super-thin, expensive, ‘Credor’ sub brand.

Personally I am a Seiko Aficionado - I have several, Quartz, Automatic and Solar. They are beautiful watches and they keep good time too.
As I have said earlier I aspire to a Grand Seiko one day and will hope to realize that dream too.

Of the watches that you have shortlisted, I would consider the Seiko. The one you have shortlisted in your post, indeed shares its distinctive appearance with one of the World’s most sought after ‘Grail’ Watches - the Rolex Submariner.

I will even hazard a couple of suggestions here, since you mentioned that you have a budget of Rs 1.5 lac but I will not ask that you exceed that budget.

Here are my suggestions for your consideration. In my opinion, you will not regret this.

Of these, I own the PADI Solar Compact Scuba one shown. I liked it very much because it was of a smaller case size of 38mm and has a rugged construction.

If you PM me, I will also share a contact number and name with you- you can mention my name and ask for a discount - and Im quite sure they will oblige.

If you love the Seiko just go for it. Even though Longines is brilliant as a brand (and I really like a number of their models) the Seiko is excellent in its own right, no two ways about it and I would have zero brand value hesitation in picking a Seiko if I liked a particular model.

SB has already elaborated this below in nice detail (thanks Shankar).

+1 to whatever you’ve summed up. Several Seiko models that are absolutely lovely and as a brand it certainly has its own strong standing.

I currently have a collection of 3 watches - a Carl F Bucherer Manero Flyback, a Grand Seiko SBGM 221 and a Seiko Alpinist. Despite the Seiko Alpinist being only a fraction of the cost of the other two, it gets a disproportionate amount of wrist time by choice. I absolutely love the Alpinist (helps that its a versatile strap monster too) and wear it at least a few times every week.

Woah! Thanks a lot for the detailed write up sir.
It really gives me a lot of confidence in Seiko as a brand.
I understand Seiko has a long history and I really admire them for changing the direction of watch industry with quartz movements.
I really love the Grand Seikos for their timeless designs. Infact, my dad is bent on getting a Snowflake Spring Drive for his daily use lonely due to its finish and weight.

That is one of the reasons I loved it so much. Rolex Submariner is one of favourite watches and plan on getting it some years down the line when I am worthy and wiser for it.

Those are some beautiful looking options. Infact, the India limited edition is what made me enter the Seiko boutique in the first place. It’s a beautiful watch with the option for both strap and bracelet. But, once I saw the GMT, forgot about it.

Thank you sir for your kind inputs.

I will definitely be looking at the Seiko more seriously now.

That’s a really nice and diversified collection you have. Manero Flyback is a really beautiful chronograph. Grand Seiko is the inconspicuous one only noticed by watch enthusiasts.

Now, I have a clear picture in my mind and both your inputs will be really helpful in closing on one.

The Rado somehow feels like a ladies watch. So, the choice has to be between Longines and Seiko. Try both back-to-back and pick the one you like.

Got my Second Moonswatch! Mission to the Moon.

Got my first watch - The legendary Seiko 5 Sports SRPD63.

A green sunburst dial with rose gold outlines on the needles and the indices. This is my daily wear watch. Notice how the dial's look subtly shifts with the light angles. Simple and brilliantly executed at a price, which won't break the bank. There is also a version with the silver outlines instead of the rose gold.

If you go to the USA website, there are variants which are not sold here such as the full gold bracelet with brown, black or blue dials. Reminds you of a Rolex. I do not shy away from gold or rose gold when it comes to watches, when they're tastefully done. Ironically, I have zero interest in gold jewellery and own none.

Been eyeing the gold PRX and an Orient Bambino as the second watch, but trying to limit the spending lol. Tried the Citizen Tsuyosa at a Helios store, but didn't connect with it although they are great looking watches. They felt compact and lightweight coming from the Seiko.

This Seiko Alpinist with its 38mm case, old gold Cathedral Hands, Green dial flecked with old gold, its steel case, tactile, well-engineered screw-down crown, satin smooth steel bracelet and open case-back which showcases its accurate Automatic movement, is simply one of those perfectly sized, all-time, ‘instant classics’.

A veritable ‘Supremo’ of the “Tool Watch’ genre and a distinguished member of the ‘Field Watch’ class. Many have touted it as Seiko’s answer to the Rolex Explorer 1, but in its own right, the Alpinist has massive ‘cachet.’ Right from 1959, in fact. So a truly solid and ‘hoary past’.

I have followed this watch from the time of its (re) launch.

And one day 5 years ago I chanced upon it in one of the Seiko stores.

Yet, poised to buy, credit card drawn, adopting the classic crouch of the gunslinger, fingers clawed at the ‘ready’, I barely just managed to hold off on the ‘trigger finger’ at the crucial moment - the last Instant.

Then one day, a year later, I did a drive-by and pulled the trigger and I did so only because of its phenomenal appeal.

It feels silky smooth to wear. And it keeps good time too.

Here is a very nice article about it.

https://lifestyle.livemint.com/amp/f...612479448.html

I am just glad I have got one of these.

And yes, I have also worn it while visiting and marvelling at the wonderful Mountains in Simla and Nepal and the Matterhorn and others in Swiss Alps and Mount Fuji too!

Hey All! I wanted to get the glass/crystal replaced on my Aviator F Series - AVW7770G116. I'm fine with visiting even local shops insofar as they do a good job and are reasonably priced. If anybody has any suggestions for stores in Bengaluru, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

Coming to the Nivada Grenchen Super Antarctic, a brand which has lately been revived.

This is the stuff of legend, because it was worn by the members of the American Antarctic Expedition in the 1950’s. ‘Operation Deep Freeze’ etc.

This one is a modern take on the original and does even offer the extreme ruggedness, comfortably straddling the character of a ‘dress watch’ while incorporating strong elements of a tool watch.

Made in Grenchen, Switzerland, it brings in a certain authenticity in the form of the Swiss Soprad P024 Automatic movement with 28800 vibrations per hour, and the functionality of its Sapphire Crystal, beautifully etched, Screw-Down crown, sealing its 100 metre water Resistance; proven credentials for a Field Watch.

It also incorporates elements of the Rolex Explorer 1, in it, accentuated by the the case size and shape, the delicately rugged ‘antique’ hands and markers, coated with Swiss Super Luminova and that iconic 3,6,9 which just ‘pops’. The 38mm case is just superb in terms of wearability.

Coupled with the perforated soft leather ‘racing’ strap with its elegant, ‘off-centre’, logo etched buckle and that gorgeous 1957 Gold Medallion incorporated into its solid case back, this is a watch for Collectors who appreciate understated elegance and functionality.

I instantly fell in love with it, hence grabbed myself an example.

Read more about it here;
https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com/c...ic-3-6-9-black

Hey Shankar. Enjoying your detailed posts on each watch.

Thanks for these pics, the lovely write up as well as sharing this wonderful article on it. The Alpinist is looking really nice with that metal strap.

I got a recent version of the Alpinist and love its versatility too - its a proper strap monster. I had put on a nice aftermarket dark brown strap on it initially which was on the more formal side. But then I got a couple more straps from Watch Gecko (pictured below). One nice tan one in a vintage racing style and a second green NATO strap. Currently using the tan one.

Hi.
That Alpinist which you have, has the compass function too and the smaller crown enables you to actually get your bearings and establish the direction of desired travel.
Indeed the vintage racing strap in rich tan sets off the highlights of the green dial and its flecks of gold.
There is a certain timelessness in these classic Military Inspired Field watch designs.

This just reminded me of one of the Rolex I recently came across at a hotel.


Maybe due to the color it looks very familiar. Both of them look very gorgeous:loveit

P.S : I'm not sure if this Rolex is original:p

That’s right. I think the nomenclature for mine is the SPB121, and I guess its the successor to the SARB017. Same family but with the 2nd crown for the compass.

Slowly trying to feed my addiction. Just added this Seastar 1000 PM80 to my collection. As the name suggests, the power reserve lasts 80 hours (yet to test it).

Absolutely love the detail on the dial and the blue lume.







Will try to add an Oris to the collection in a year or so.

The Seiko 5 Sports is often compared to the Rolex Submariner, though they are priced worlds apart. Some really call it the poor man's Rolex. :)

I would love to buy wall clocks that resemble the watch. Definitely not original. Imagine an AP or Patek wall clock, would be awesome.