automatic/mechanical watches on a budget.

[billrick]

Is there a hierarchy of Seiko automatics? I've seen Grand Seikos, Seiko 5s, Automatics, 21 jewel, 23 jewel, yadda yadda. How do they all line up?

[WadePatton]

Yes, there's a huge lineup, especially when vintage is included.

As i recall the "5" is a mid-sized auto often equipped with transparent cover and goes for less than the full-sized auto- (stem at 3:45) currently using 7s26 actions. The Grand is top-of-the-block, lower production, etc. Best source of that info is the collector forums and sites. Those guys refer to most of the stuff by the action model number/name.

Of course every extra hand on the face adds complexity and $ to the action.

...so i fixed the strap on my pepsi today...now i have two to rotate once again (and two bands about done).

(wait, i heard richie say "own the thread". rummages around web and returns with:)

Sport/5 (note crown @ 3 o'clock, and slightly smaller overall.)


Sport/5 w/ picture window:




)refer back in thread for 7s26 photos- that's the full-sized diver i brag about.(
they go for ~200 street and 300 retail. the sport/5's are less.


Here is (a version of) the Grand-most of which appear to be _not_ divers.





Grand Seiko history: http://www.grand-seiko.com/features/design.html

as a practical person it looks to me like you give up the day to get a spring tension indicator (and no self wind? whatupwitdat?). and at 7.500 we're way out of the "budget" category. i'd rather spend that sort of dough on domestic or euro-made. Here's an ebay sample (with good photos and free shipping) http://cgi.ebay.com/Grand-Seiko-Spri...item27bd016f7e

[WadePatton]

also, the "le Grand" is a "sport/5" version or _budget_ model compared to the "Grand Seiko"

the complexity and bps drives the value. bps/bpm determines accuracy, the more there are, the smoother the second hand sweeps the face. multiple dials/indicators complicate and drive collectors wild (grand complication yo).

"jewels" are synthetic gemstone bushing/bearings. more is generally better as it reflects...again, the complexity/accuracy/durability of the innards.

and that about exhausts what i remember about these watches-beyond the daily wear of one of two 7s26's for ~8 years.



the mother of all 7s26 reviews: http://www.thepurists.com/watch/features/8ohms/7s26/

(personal pics to come)

get some.

[WadePatton]

...request to move...

[WadePatton]

the top of the diver line: A concise history of Seiko Professional dive watches




reference for all divers:
Seiko Divers Reference





Hey, where are the Citizen fans?

[xjoex]

I had a citizen eco drive, that ended up giving to my dad. But the eco-drive is a great concept. A 20 year battery in a solar watch.



The numbers on the bezel were to big for me, they kind of looked goofy.

But Laura wears this diver from Citizen, she likes it but complains it weighs too much.



-Joe

[Jason Musgrave]

Seiko divers rule. I think about the vintage 6306 [1979] that was passed on almost every day.

[gearguywb]

Beautiful Seiko...admired it at the Baller's Ride.

[Jason Musgrave]

it couldn't have gone to a better man imho.

On a similar note, if the seller had been a bit more reasonable, I'd have brought this one home last week.

[WadePatton]

On a similar note, if the seller had been a bit more reasonable, I'd have brought this one home last week.

what exactly is that? (i get lost in the seiko world, i know there are others)

speaking of vintage. seems there are plenty of guys refurbishing with aftermarket faces/hands/bezels + polish and a strap. i just saw a lemon-face with a pepsi bezel! the horror!

[Jason Musgrave]

MKII Milsub homage.

Bill Yao of MKII got his start producing parts for Seiko Diver mods. Nowadays he's only selling his own stuff (which is EXTREMELY hard to come by).

Most folks in the know say his products are very under priced, though his pricing is going up up lately. His watches are all homages to famous military watches (benrus, Bund, Seamaster 300, Rolex Milsub, etc, etc). He has quite a following and I've been after one of these Milsub homages for quite some time. Some of his watches (like the Kingston which is a replica of the 'Bond Rolex') are already going for more used than new. There's also a new project in the works based on the Omega Seamaster 300 that should be fun. He's currently re-tooling everything so his site doesn't have much but here's the address:

mkiiwatches.com

Also lots of good info here:

MK II

P.S. This stuff isn't crazy $$$. Those Kingston's are going for about $1800. Some of the other stuff like MMTs and Sea Fighters can be had for ~$600

[WadePatton]

very cool---and exactly the sort of watch i'd pursue instead of spend big frn on a "Grand Seiko" or a "Professional Diver", if that time comes.

[Jason Musgrave]

Me too!

Lots of his pieces in service in Iraq/Afganistan. Especially the Benrus homage - which was originally called the blackwater, then changed to MMT after certain events. Now there's an improved version called the paradive.

[Too Tall]

Seiko divers rule. I think about the vintage 6306 [1979] that was passed on almost every day.

Perpetual right of return bro. I swap that with my Omega. Love it but like I say if you Jones for the watch it's yours again NP I feel the same for an Speedmaster that I don't own!!!

***I'll move this thread W.P. Yep, I took a break. Focused on getting fast ;)

[Jason Musgrave]

Nah, it's yours till you pass it on to the next caretaker. I've gotta scratch this MKII itch before they get to expensive...

[cody.wms]

Especially the Benrus homage - which was originally called the blackwater, then changed to MMT after certain events. Now there's an improved version called the paradive.

Any idea if the leadtime on the paradives is accurate (currently at 7 weeks)? I know people waited quite a while for some of his watches.

But dollar for dollar, you can't beat a 6309/7002/7s26 watch.

[WadePatton]

Is there a hierarchy of Seiko automatics? I've seen Grand Seikos, Seiko 5s, Automatics, 21 jewel, 23 jewel, yadda yadda. How do they all line up?

short answer:

Grand Seiko/Professional Diver (top line-limited production)
7s26 is current "mid-line" full-sized with 21j _affordable_ dozens of variations.
Seiko 5/Sport is budget end with multiple dozen variations.

they're all automatic/self-winders or they don't count.

[jscottyk]

I'm a Seiko-holic.

Here's a 7s26 modified by Bill Yao. Will post a couple more later after I snap some pics.
IMG_0356.jpg IMG_0355.jpg

[jscottyk]

Couple of 6309's worked by Bob Thayer.

refurbished
IMG_1144.jpg

modified
IMG_1141.jpg

[jscottyk]

Me too!

Lots of his pieces in service in Iraq/Afganistan. Especially the Benrus homage - which was originally called the blackwater, then changed to MMT after certain events. Now there's an improved version called the paradive.

I've got one of the Blackwaters from the first run. Awesome watch.

The 7s26 of mine that he worked was one of his last Seiko modifications. I feel fortunate to have it.