I've not heard of Seiko 5 before so I was looking online at them. Are these good watches for $75-$120 or so? Are they short term to failure junk?

I've had Seikos before, have one now, but they were at least a couple hundred bucks.

I've had my cheapest of the Seiko 5 line for over 2 years now, wear it every day. Not a single hiccup.

Oh, and I'm kinda rough on watches...

Seiko 5 is Seiko's "entry level" line. They are fine, reliable, serviceable watches, but normally have more basic movements, less features, less water resistance, and a lower level of fit and finish over the higher end Seikos. This is not to say they are "crap." They are not.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

Japanese market watches won't generally come to the U.S. with a warranty. A lot of those watches are just that - watches Seiko doesn't sell to the U.S. or European market. It isn't the retailer, it is Seiko. If you want the watch, it isn't going to have a Seiko warranty.

The company selling the watch on Amazon, CDI Watches, is in California. My question to them was "seiko 5 SRP241 which you are selling on Amazon -- is it available with the Seiko warranty?"

Their reply was "We are authorized Seiko dealer, we will stamp the warranty card, it will cover three year U.S. Seiko warranty."

So I guess they will have the Seiko warranty. When I discussed non-US watches with Seiko USA a few weeks ago I think they said they honored the international warranties, and definitely said they would repair them.

If I can determine that the case is really 40mm I think I'll risk it.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:

quote:

Originally posted by Dusty78:
Anyone else waiting for Shinola's automatic watches?

Which one(s) you looking at?

I want something like this in Automatic

https://www.shinola.com/mens/w...rono-44mm-27931.html

I really want a good quality American made watch in the $1500-2000 range. I've been looking at Kobold too.

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
My very basic Marathon came today, and I couldn't be more pleased. I was concerned the 36mm might be a bit small, but it fits my wrist just fine. It does all I want, with a stainless case and sapphire crystal. Any sites recommended for basic leather bands in 16mm width?

Nice! Perfect utility watch.

I've been very happy with every transaction from Crown and Buckle
 

quote:

Originally posted by Dusty78:
I really want a good quality American made watch in the $1500-2000 range. I've been looking at Kobold too.

American made is a tough order order I think. I mean, Kobold (last I'd heard) cased up Swiss movements. Shinola (presumably Chinese made parts). Best bet that I'm aware of is RGM in PA. Roland Murphy. I have a vintage Breitling with him now for service. He's a master, and many of his creations are (100%?) American made.

http://www.rgmwatches.com/

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
My very basic Marathon came today, and I couldn't be more pleased. I was concerned the 36mm might be a bit small, but it fits my wrist just fine. It does all I want, with a stainless case and sapphire crystal. Any sites recommended for basic leather bands in 16mm width?
 

Strangely, that watch should support an 18mm easily at 36mm, but they used a wide lug. It'll limit some of your strap choices.

quote:

He's a master, and many of his creations are (100%?) American made.

Well, he's probably a balance-spring-hostage like most of the rest of the world too.

Love what they've done with the RGM line.

Hmmmm this RGM pro diver looks suspiciously a lot like the old style Tissot Seastar 1000 automatic from the early 2000's

http://www.rgmwatches.com/watches#/300/

There is also Weiss if you're looking for "American" made.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:

quote:

Originally posted by Dusty78:
I really want a good quality American made watch in the $1500-2000 range. I've been looking at Kobold too.

American made is a tough order order I think. I mean, Kobold (last I'd heard) cased up Swiss movements. Shinola (presumably Chinese made parts). Best bet that I'm aware of is RGM in PA. Roland Murphy. I have a vintage Breitling with him now for service. He's a master, and many of his creations are (100%?) American made.

Shinola uses imported Swiss components that they then assemble in Detroit. Their stuff is pretty, they have a shop in Ann Arbor that is worth wasting some time in. I'm not sure their watches justify their prices though. Lots of other watches I like in the $800-1,200 price range. I will say their store has a really, really nice display of leather bands.

I don't know of any mass produced American movements at that price. RGM uses ETA movements in its less expensive models, and modifies them. RGM does make some custom watches with handmade movements. They are expensive. Shinola uses Swiss movements. Others use Miyota movements. There are some other American watches with handmade movements, but those are not in the $2000 range.

The closest you can get is American-ish watches. American cases and dials with a Swiss or Asian movement. In my view, there is nothing wrong with that.

I don't think anyone has made factory made movements in the U.S.A. since Hamilton closed up in Lancaster. (Even by the '60s, Hamilton was using some Swiss movements.) Maybe Timex made some mechanical movements later than Hamilton.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jhe888,

Well I will keep looking. This weeks wat h came in today. I'm addicted to NATO brands lately. Watch isna Seiko Prospex Solar Diver.

I believe Filson's endeavor into the watch arena was a joint effort with Shinola. The watches looked pretty good, but carried a "Filson" price tag, imo.

quote:

Originally posted by Dusty78:
Hmmmm this RGM pro diver looks suspiciously a lot like the old style Tissot Seastar 1000 automatic from the early 2000's

Similar as heck? yeah. But I don't believe one is of the other, do you? Different, lugs, crown, crown-guard, data location, dial and hands etc... Are you thinking Roland is reworking NOS Tissot?

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:

quote:

Originally posted by Dusty78:
Hmmmm this RGM pro diver looks suspiciously a lot like the old style Tissot Seastar 1000 automatic from the early 2000's

Similar as heck? yeah. But I don't believe one is of the other, do you? Different, lugs, crown, crown-guard, data location, dial and hands etc... Are you thinking Roland is reworking NOS Tissot?

Not really sure just thought they are strikingly similar. Those old Tissot's fetch a pretty penny these days. More then they did when they were new.

So for the longest time I have been ignoring my watch collection. Just recently I started buying new ones and wearing them. In all honesty I think the fact that I had an Apple Watch was the problem. I ended up relying on it too much. This week I sold my Apple Watch, picked up a new Fitbit Alta and renewed my passion for traditional time pieces. I needed something for work that could stand up to the demand (i.e. Bodily fluids) at work in the ER so I decided on a Casio G-Shock G100A. I had a brand new Luminox that I never wore (I actually forgot I bought it and found it in an un-opened Amazon box) which would have fit the bill perfectly but I gave it to a friend. Hoping the G-Shock does the trick.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dusty78,

quote:

Originally posted by Dusty78:
This weeks watch came in today. I'm addicted to NATO brands lately. Watch is a Seiko Prospex Solar Diver.

Looks great! How do you like it? How big is the case? (Looks like it would be Yuge on my skinny wrist.)