Yes, Seiko makes excellent watches and you will get tremendous value for your dollar. Seiko made the mistake in the USA years ago of marketing their less expensive watches, mostly quartz movements and thus the public perception is not on par with high end Swiss brands which are associated with prestige. But, if you look at the history of Seiko and the Grand Seiko watch you will soon come to realize that not only are the high end Seikos on par with the Swiss brands, but in some cases superior. Many are unaware that the most expensive Seiko watches can sell upward to $500,000 Euro.
http://www.extravaganzi.com/credor-new-seiko-e500000-watch/
It still all comes down to what visually appeals to you in the end and what name, if that is what is important to you, you wear on your wrist.
Links for you to explore:
https://timepiecelegacy.com/are-japan-watches-better-than-swiss/
https://www.themodestman.com/grand-seiko/
https://watchesbysjx.com/2013/06/explaining-seikos-legendary-history-in-swiss-chronometer-trials-with-live-pictures-of-its-landmark-astronomical-observatory-chronometer.html#:~:text=Seiko only entered the Swiss,were important and prestigious events.
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/grand-seiko-hodinkee-10-best-stories
Links for you to explore:
If u look in the seiko thread I asked the question about grand seikos value retention. I asked in that thread as many owners of them post there. The response I got was they lose quite a bit of value when you walk out the door of the AD. That probably is not true with many of the LE’s. I don’t think that is the only way to judge a watch but something I was curious of. I see many that are stunning watches I’d love to own. Then again if you don’t plan on selling and it’s something you really like it may be worth buying new. I’m only piping in since I posed a similar question, I don’t own a grand seiko but I see many I wouldn’t mind owning
There are few watches that consistently appreciate or hold their value over time, and it can change over time as taste and style change.
This might make a good new thread...
Actually it probably would. I’m not much of a flipper, I think I’ve sold maybe 6 or seven watches mostly because when I got them there was something about it I didn’t like or a few I bought as a gift for people but once I had them I didn’t like how the dial had aged and didn’t feel right giving it as a gift to someone. I’ve gifted many more than I sold but that’s because I have family in China and they really love vintage watches and report they have trouble finding them. When I buy for myself I am curious to know if the watch has a decent chance of retaining its value Incase I want to move it to get something different but I’m not at the point where I “invest” in watches. I just like them. I do see the vintage grand seikos can be found at decent prices and I like the looks of them of course the vintage GS dials are nowhere near what GS is producing today but they still look very nice. I’m afraid if I decided to take a chunk of money and study up and consider buying a watch as an “investment” it may decrease my enjoyment of them. I almost did a few months ago but decided to go with Microsoft and just pick up watches I like so I don’t need to drive myself nuts with dings and scratches but I do think it’s cool how many here make a living dealing watches it can be an expensive hobby and I’m sure people devote a lot of time being professional flippers or sellers whatever they call themselves. I don’t begrudge anyone making an honest buck
I put Grand Seiko on par with the Swiss watches in the same price range (USD 5-8k). The Spring Drive is technologically way ahead of whatever the Swiss have, the pure mechanicals are good, too. Casework and dial work are superior to any Swiss work at almost any price. Take a look at a GS dial and hands with a loupe and you'll find perfect polishing and finishing. A GS certainly deserves consideration in a well rounded collection.
I don’t think there is much debate about what they are doing with their dials. They are crazy nice. There is probably a consensus on that but as far as the spring drive goes dont you think that is debate? I only say that after reading watch makers talk about it here and other things I have read online. This is more of a question than a statement as I’ve never had one and couldn’t speak intelligently about it.
