Seiko and mass public

[Gigi]

I went tru this today at a AD that carry Tag Heuer while i was looking at the 1887 carera which is the only model i am interested in because of it seiko movement origin.

Me: Oh do you know this movement is actually based on Seiko auto chrono movement?

Salesperson: SEIKO!!!!!!!!!!!! NO NO NO, THIS is based on TH in house movement. Same goes to caliber 15/16/5, they are all made in house too. ( the fact that the "caliber 15/16/5 is based on ETA movement lol  ) And this also made by TH in house too dont you (pointing at zenith EP powered monaco) Seiko does not do this kind of thing!!!!

Me: How much is this (1887) cost?

Salesperson:  Rm18000 including GST.

Me:  and walk away laughing at them cause they get their fact wrong.

Another case, this is in the shop where i got my grail from.

Me: Showing them the "Watchtime" magazine that was in the shop featuring Grand Seiko watch and the movement... Wow look at this isn't it beuatiful (honestly speaking its damn beautiful)?

Them: Nah, i dont even bother too look at it. No 2nd hand value.....

Me: Okay..........




The main point is that isnt it quite sad that ppl think seiko as "cheapo watch" brand than super duper high end company? Sigh... I guess they would be surprised if Seiko tapau the swiss on chronometer competition last time. I think they got ban again when they organise the competition last time.

What you guys think about this issue? I think seiko brand is too wide... From cheapest to most expensive watch. They should had do what Lexus, Acura and Infiniti does for the big 3 car maker. 

[ck77]

Simple, not every SA is a WIS like you.
Save your gas and moolah and buy somewhere else.
No point 'putting money into their pocket' 

[sshark]

The salesman was right. Tag made the movement which is based on seiko design. They did modify some of the parts though it is for the aestheticity. Btw, Tag owns the right to the design.

Seiko did tat. It has entry level Seiko,Phoenix,credor ,brightz and grand seiko. It is only the public in general do not know about seiko in depth.

 when come to luxury, I believe many will agreed bentley is more luxurious than Lexus.

[Gigi]

The salesman was right. Tag made the movement which is based on seiko design. They did modify some of the parts though it is for the aestheticity. Btw, Tag owns the right to the design.

Seiko did tat. It has entry level Seiko,Phoenix,credor ,brightz and grand seiko. It is only the public in general do not know about seiko in depth.

 when come to luxury, I believe many will agreed bentley is more luxurious than Lexus.

Nevertheless, you still cant deny its Seiko origin and how TH describe the movement.... You know what I meant right, before the all the "hoo-hah" broke out...

Simple, not every SA is a WIS like you.
Save your gas and moolah and buy somewhere else.
No point 'putting money into their pocket' 

True also, too bad most ppl but the watch for its looks and not mega hardcore like we do. 

[bOcy]

Hi,

The mastershop grand seikos are really well made, but for the price, most people would rather buy swiss brands which seems more credible.

They need a few legendary models of their own, if they want to change the perception.

[siodee]

The salesman was right. Tag made the movement which is based on seiko design. They did modify some of the parts though it is for the aestheticity. Btw, Tag owns the right to the design.

Seiko did tat. It has entry level Seiko,Phoenix,credor ,brightz and grand seiko. It is only the public in general do not know about seiko in depth.

 when come to luxury, I believe many will agreed bentley is more luxurious than Lexus.

Nevertheless, you still cant deny its Seiko origin and how TH describe the movement.... You know what I meant right, before the all the "hoo-hah" broke out...

Simple, not every SA is a WIS like you.
Save your gas and moolah and buy somewhere else.
No point 'putting money into their pocket' 

True also, too bad most ppl but the watch for its looks and not mega hardcore like we do. 

I think there are thread that have been debating about the TH using Seiko base, which come to this "Purist". BTW, I am at your site for this debate   

Seiko is viewed as too wide selection cause they want to target all segment, which is their strategic. But definitely benefit some of us who can appreciate Seiko with affordable price. 

[TheHobbit]

I think there are thread that have been debating about the TH using Seiko base, which come to this "Purist". BTW, I am at your site for this debate   

Seiko is viewed as too wide selection cause they want to target all segment, which is their strategic. But definitely benefit some of us who can appreciate Seiko with affordable price. 

Agree with siodee on this. It is great that Seiko caters for all levels of watch collectors, users and the likes.

Sadly one of the main reason Seiko does not do well in the luxury level is the 'snob' factor. Most people knows 'Swiss Made' as good and expensive while 'Seiko 5' is cheap and well cheap. So, wearing a Grand Seiko or a Spring Drive is like 'What? so expensive, here my Seiko 5 only RMxxx.' and 'Wah, Swiss watch ah? so you must be doing well'.

With education and exposure, I am sure Seiko will do well in the luxury segment.

[sshark]

Agree with siodee on this. It is great that Seiko caters for all levels of watch collectors, users and the likes.

Sadly one of the main reason Seiko does not do well in the luxury level is the 'snob' factor. Most people knows 'Swiss Made' as good and expensive while 'Seiko 5' is cheap and well cheap. So, wearing a Grand Seiko or a Spring Drive is like 'What? so expensive, here my Seiko 5 only RMxxx.' and 'Wah, Swiss watch ah? so you must be doing well'.

With education and exposure, I am sure Seiko will do well in the luxury segment.

That kinda of mentality is hard to shake given that GS and Seiko5 / Premier looks almost the same if it is not scrutinize properly.

[Watchnewby]

I think there are thread that have been debating about the TH using Seiko base, which come to this "Purist". BTW, I am at your site for this debate   

Seiko is viewed as too wide selection cause they want to target all segment, which is their strategic. But definitely benefit some of us who can appreciate Seiko with affordable price. 

Agree with siodee on this. It is great that Seiko caters for all levels of watch collectors, users and the likes.

Sadly one of the main reason Seiko does not do well in the luxury level is the 'snob' factor. Most people knows 'Swiss Made' as good and expensive while 'Seiko 5' is cheap and well cheap. So, wearing a Grand Seiko or a Spring Drive is like 'What? so expensive, here my Seiko 5 only RMxxx.' and 'Wah, Swiss watch ah? so you must be doing well'.

With education and exposure, I am sure Seiko will do well in the luxury segment.

Agreed with both siodee and hobbit comments.
Anyway, I am a Seiko fan and will support Seiko most of the time.
Seiko Rocks!!

[fooyc]

Folks,
Allow me to dispense my two cents comment. Guilty, I am a by product of heavy Swiss made marketing, so much so, I initially have the impression, even a branded quartz will still be better than a Japs automatic. I started off with some quartz, and finally landed with my first Frederique Constant automatic few months ago. Well built and I like it very much, till last week. Seiko to me, is nothing but another Casio, seriously, look at the way they market their product, in Malaysia in particular. They did not put much emphasis on automatic calibre, many were rather fashionable watch with associate celebrity ambassador. Is this what a quality marketing about ? Oh yes, it works for the mass market, not so for the enthusiast.

I took some time to understand the good old Seiko 5, and eventually bought two military style watch, one for me, another of the same for my wife. We both were surprised when we compare the seiko with our Swiss made automatic and quartz. Impressive. Even more impressed with the relative affordable price, I call it cheap !

I wouldn't blame so much on the company or marketing. Believe it or not, it is really up to the customer and how they perceived time. To each to its own good.

[wristsolution]

Folks,
Allow me to dispense my two cents comment. Guilty, I am a by product of heavy Swiss made marketing, so much so, I initially have the impression, even a branded quartz will still be better than a Japs automatic. I started off with some quartz, and finally landed with my first Frederique Constant automatic few months ago. Well built and I like it very much, till last week. Seiko to me, is nothing but another Casio, seriously, look at the way they market their product, in Malaysia in particular. They did not put much emphasis on automatic calibre, many were rather fashionable watch with associate celebrity ambassador. Is this what a quality marketing about ? Oh yes, it works for the mass market, not so for the enthusiast.

I took some time to understand the good old Seiko 5, and eventually bought two military style watch, one for me, another of the same for my wife. We both were surprised when we compare the seiko with our Swiss made automatic and quartz. Impressive. Even more impressed with the relative affordable price, I call it cheap !

I wouldn't blame so much on the company or marketing. Believe it or not, it is really up to the customer and how they perceived time. To each to its own good.

Well said! I'd call it best bang for the buck! 

[G.MAC]

I had long lost the patience to argue with the mass on the merits of seiko. I just let it be nowadays. Although i personally feel the price for a GS should be lower by RM5000 for every model . +- RM20,000 for one is still unacceptable to me.

[terrenceterrence]

I had long lost the patience to argue with the mass on the merits of seiko. I just let it be nowadays. Although i personally feel the price for a GS should be lower by RM5000 for every model . +- RM20,000 for one is still unacceptable to me.

hey, I also find the price for a Aquanaut and Nautilus should be 20grand lower 

[G.MAC]

I had long lost the patience to argue with the mass on the merits of seiko. I just let it be nowadays. Although i personally feel the price for a GS should be lower by RM5000 for every model . +- RM20,000 for one is still unacceptable to me.

hey, I also find the price for a Aquanaut and Nautilus should be 20grand lower 

100% agreed.

[ck77]

I had long lost the patience to argue with the mass on the merits of seiko. I just let it be nowadays. Although i personally feel the price for a GS should be lower by RM5000 for every model . +- RM20,000 for one is still unacceptable to me.

hey, I also find the price for a Aquanaut and Nautilus should be 20grand lower 

Pam zeroes should be rm5k 

[terrenceterrence]

I had long lost the patience to argue with the mass on the merits of seiko. I just let it be nowadays. Although i personally feel the price for a GS should be lower by RM5000 for every model . +- RM20,000 for one is still unacceptable to me.

hey, I also find the price for a Aquanaut and Nautilus should be 20grand lower 

Pam zeroes should be rm5k 

totally agree  and price increase can only be done if wage increase double concurrently

[Gigi]

I had long lost the patience to argue with the mass on the merits of seiko. I just let it be nowadays. Although i personally feel the price for a GS should be lower by RM5000 for every model . +- RM20,000 for one is still unacceptable to me.

hey, I also find the price for a Aquanaut and Nautilus should be 20grand lower 

Pam zeroes should be rm5k 

totally agree  and price increase can only be done if wage increase double concurrently

Lol, i wished rolek doesnt increase the price like crazy... I would prefer to buy it frist hand but then... sigh.....


Does anyone show their high end seiko and other ppl wowed? 

[TheHobbit]

I had long lost the patience to argue with the mass on the merits of seiko. I just let it be nowadays. Although i personally feel the price for a GS should be lower by RM5000 for every model . +- RM20,000 for one is still unacceptable to me.

hey, I also find the price for a Aquanaut and Nautilus should be 20grand lower 

Pam zeroes should be rm5k 

Nolah, when Panerai first came out in Malaysia it was rm6,000. So zero should be about there.

[terrenceterrence]

hahha so while Panerai's prices grew exponentially.. our wages remain stagnant 

[ck77]

hahha so while Panerai's prices grew exponentially.. our wages remain stagnant 

Sad isn't it 
But seems like Pam didn't contribute much to Italian economy as Berlusconi is going down 

[Gigi]

hahha so while Panerai's prices grew exponentially.. our wages remain stagnant 

Sad isn't it 
But seems like Pam didn't contribute much to Italian economy as Berlusconi is going down 

I guess the money din go into italy... The $ instead go to Richmont manager in Switzerland. 

[meoramri]

This is my Seiko Ananta - the leader of my seiko collection -

[engkow]

meoramri, your seiko ananta look very solid and very nice watch.

[siodee]

This is my Seiko Ananta - the leader of my seiko collection -

Very nice indeed 

So which brand will be the next like Pam, exponential increment 

[hanz079]

Woah... that Ananta is in another league altogether... cun