TwoTone Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Limited edition of 200 pieces. Available at U.S. retailers in December, 2006. MSRP of $4,995. WOW! - 5 Grand for a Seiko... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hambone Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 The design of this watch is quite elegant. What kind of movement is a spring drive? 5 K for a Seiko though ? Looks like they are exploring new markets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoTone Posted November 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 What kind of movement is a spring drive? 5 K for a Seiko though ? The Spring Drive is a mix of mechanical and electrical. Possibly the smoothest accurate movement made. Top watches, the Spring Drives. http://www.timezone.com/library/tmachine/200508225148 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshot Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 The design of this watch is quite elegant. What kind of movement is a spring drive? 5 K for a Seiko though ? Looks like they are exploring new markets. Not at all Seiko has made watches in this price range and higher for decades. The Grand Seiko's and Credor Phoenix models are as good or better than any watch in their price range (IMHO). I have a Seiko Marine Master 300m diver and with the same movement (but non decorated) as in the Grand Seiko's it every bit the equal of a Sub at roughly half the price. The 600m (actually tested to 750m) Springdrive diver is an amazing watch and would cost 2-3 times the $3k price if it had a Swiss label. But the high end Seiko's have only ever been sold in Asian markets and are even hard to come by there. The Springdrive movement has been around for a few years but is just now filtering down into sportier watches. It is a mechanical handwind or auto movement with no battery that is regulated by a crystal. It has a 72 hour power reserve and accuracy of better then +1 second a day from a mechanical movement. I have a friend who has one of the 600m divers, his gains 8-10 seconds a month Here's a review by Ty from SCF: http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=msg...d=0#msg_1276772 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I want that 600m diver! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikellem Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 How could this watch have a 30mm diameter? Unless the ad above has a typo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshot Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I want that 600m diver! It's an amazing watch. Bigger than my 300m MM, the bracelet is awesome (but then again the bracelet on a $150 Seiko Monster is better then a Sub bracelet ) and the sweep is just mesmerizing. I had an old Seiko 600m Professional 'Tuna Can' auto diver with the 36,600bph movement and the sweep on the Springdrive was visibly much smoother. It just glides around the dial In my opinion the only thing Seiko did wrong was the white GMT hand (oh yeah did I mention it's GMT too?). It can be hard to tell the time at a glance soemtimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omni Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Its a fantastic movement and when they put it in a watch design that suits me I'll get one, I'm so enthusiastic about this movement. The moonphase is an outstanding design and it is 40 mm according to the Seiko website. This is one of the most advanced mechanical clock innovations to come along since the tourbillon IMHO. The sweep is really just a glide. Speaking of the SpringDrive, how about a brand new Seiko $129,000 Credor Sonnerie, a repeater that is settable! Only 5 made. http://people.timezone.com/mdisher/seiko/0602/sonneriepr.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I have always loved that "Spring Drive" movement and that (SEIKO) Credor Spring Drive Sonnerie is a very desireable watch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I'm sure it's a great watch. But buying a $5000 Seiko is still like buying a $100.000 Fiat. I love Seikos though... and have owned many. Great quality. Orange Monster is one of the best "value for money" watches available. They just don't have the "brand prestige" (at least not yet). But then again neither did Lexus when Toyota put the first ones out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I'm sure it's a great watch. But buying a $5000 Seiko is still like buying a $100.000 Fiat. ...you mean $100.000 TOYOTA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 ...you mean $100.000 TOYOTA That's Lexus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hambone Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 This post is very informative and is a great example of what makes this forum so cool. The wealth of info on watches here is nothing less than outstanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I have always loved that "Spring Drive" movement and that (SEIKO) Credor Spring Drive Sonnerie is a very desireable watch wooooooooooooooow how much money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r11co Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I'm sure it's a great watch. But buying a $5000 Seiko is still like buying a $100.000 Fiat. Yeah. They're called Ferrari. The fastest, most exclusive ones even carry a FIAT badge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 F1 = FIAT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I'd buy one... Absolutely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chronus Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I'd buy one... Absolutely. The Fiat, Toyota, Lexus, Ferrari or the Seiko ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 ...the CREDOR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I want that 600m diver! Me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strat22 Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 In terms of quality and function, I'm sure the Seiko is an amazing watch. However, if I suddenly had $5000 to spend on a watch, I can assure you that a Seiko would not be on my list. Then again, I'm not someone who would normally spend that kind of money on a timepiece (hence my membership here.) With that said, I'm sure there are high-end buyers who are more drawn to the technology of the spring-drive, rather than the name on the dial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spatten1 Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I'm surprised to find Seiko fans here. My Orange Monster with the rubber band ($100 on ebay) is my favorite watch for weekend activities. I also spent $400 on the limited edition titanium Seiko 5 200m diver that came out this or last year. It is a bit too large for my tastes, but I really like the design, especially the bracelet. The 5 movement is pretty accurate on my two watches, and I have all the faith in the world that I can beat the daylights out of a Seiko and it will keep on ticking. Toyota was a good analogy. I own two of them. My reps are more like those Ferrarri kits that fit over a 280Z chassis. By-Tor: Rush rules! Also, thanks for posting the Tag bracelet tutorial, I used it for a watch I got from Josh. Now my favorite watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasng Posted November 3, 2006 Report Share Posted November 3, 2006 When you get to the point of genuine watch collecting, there are many markets involved. There's the one who are into the traditional realm, strict conservatives who only like square and flat brands like Patek Philippe, Breguet, Vacheron Constantin. However, there's the other market of the people who enjoy daring and innovative design and technology. Brands like Urwerk, Richard Mille, Vianney Halter, Hd3, F.P. Journe, Haldimann, Roger Dubuis, and even Audemars Piguet is included in these realm. The goal of these companies is radical innovation. And innovate they did, Richard Mille invented the world's light mechanical watch, Roger Dubuis introduced an amazing microrotor chronograph movement, and AP introduced a shockproof tourbillon called the "Concept Watch". AP is a traditional brand, but what makes its stand out is how daring their brand new designs are. Anyways, entry to this realm is very expensive, and many pieces start at $50,000+ There's only so much money one can spend on watches, and when one wants innovation, but for less, they will go for this Seiko, and a lot of seasoned WIS have a lot of praise for the Spring Drive and especially the Sonnerie. The Spring Drive is a very special, innovative and accurate movement with a lto of devleopment and technology. $5,000 for a watch of its calibre is considered a steal by some people, as it you think how much a Swiss brand would charge for a piece like this, would be at least $10,000+ I mean, you cannot bash Seiko. They make longlasting and reliable watches, and who's to say that their technology sucks and is more worthless than the Swiss? I know, it's the stigma attached to the brand that "Seiko" is a cheap watch, but it's the technology and innovation, that they were able to create the Spring Drive is what truly makes it worth the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshot Posted November 3, 2006 Report Share Posted November 3, 2006 It's funny how well marketing works Seiko is older than Rolex or Omega or many of the Swiss brands (1881) Seiko produced the first automatic chronograph and it was column wheel movement with the 6138 and 6139 in 1969 decades before Rolex had a column wheel chrono Seiko invented the quartz watch Seiko produced the first all titanium watch Seiko prodiced the first quartz dive watch It was because Seiko brought watches that beat every Swiss maker in teram of accuracy that the COSC decided to only offer chronomoter certification to 'Swiss made' watches. Grand Seiko's actually meet a much higher accuracy standard than COSC Seiko (and Citizen, there is some argument about it) both produced quartz watches with one second a year accuracy Seiko has always made every single component in their watches in house including mainsprings and all lubricants and crystals and dials and... The Springdrive is only the latest in a long history of innovation for Seiko When the quartz revolution came and old line Swiss makers were goiing bankrupt and being bought up by Swatch and others Seiko was still producing hundreds of thousands of mechanical automatic Seiko 5's and divers a year and selling every one and turning a profit It's such a shame they don't have the prestige and class and history of a company like Panerai or Rolex or Swatc... er Omega Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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