To be honest, I own two Seikos with the 4R35 movement and neither of them ever do much worse than +5-6 seconds a day. Seiko is renowned for rating their watches to the most ridiculously poor accuracy margins, despite the fact that they almost always perform a hell of a lot better than that.
Think I have a exceptional one out the box +2 sec a day. I got mine for the style, look, build. Seiko just has that great clarity and sharpness and I love glancing at it. On top of that I do like the fact I can simply hand wind it when I want without having to unscrew the crown. I am also safe walking down the street with no fear of being mugged for my watch.
@@thisoldbelair agree, very good figure. I love the fact we have a beating micro machine on our wrist. I have quartz watches as well if I want to pick up and go and know the time is right. My autos are my weekend thing.
Have your seikos regulated if you feel that they are too fast or slow, it's an easy thing to do for watchmakers with a timegrapher and it makes your watches a lot more accurate than when they were adjusted in the factory.
Something to keep in mind: seiko is *extremely* modest with their accuracy ratings. Usually, they maintain the same level of accuracy as the rolex (or in my experience anyway)
@@thegirthquake8574 i’m not laughing about that part, I’m laughing about the fact apparently most of them are at the same level of accuracy as Rolex which is obviously b*llshit.
Old Wives tales the more jewels the better the movment, that all started in the early 80's for watch companies to try and pretend there watch was better than others. So many early pocket watches only had 6 jewels and are still working today over a 155 years later. Its not amount of jewels it all comes down to workmen ship, material, and engineering.
@@greamepenney5947 Yup, that's my poin aswell. Just iritates me when large watch channels spread these kinds of myths and don't bother to do basic research
@@holokron1337 totally agree. I asked before if Adrian's rolex did not have rolex on it would he still see the watch in the same light. Or is he just taken by the brand name and not so much the real technical side of what the watch is designed for. Also its only a dive watch design its not a dive watch divers wear a dive computer. The year is 2021 not 1950. But its sad when a supposed watch channel says something that shows there ignorance.
My 2 cents, based on my experience. I'm a diver and I always wear a dive watch as a backup to my computer. I also use the watch to time the surface intervals between dives. I own both a Rolex Sub and a Seiko Save the Ocean turtle. As a time keeping device the Rolex is obviously the superior piece. But as a diving tool I much prefer the Seiko. The larger diameter makes it easier to read in low light/poor visibility conditions and the taller/grippier bezel is so much easier to operate, especially when using gloves. Love both watches. Great video!
Great assessment of these two iconic watches. I do agree that, having a watch right now, to wear everyday, is much better than waiting for a watch that you may wear only on a few occasions. The Seiko 5 to me is the best value IMHO. Thanks for your insight and thanks for sharing.
@@panorama4526 I bought 3 Tudors while waiting (played into their hands lol). Might look at an Omega but do not think it’s my thing. Neither is a Sub though!
Owned a submariner, and to be honest at the time I wasn't a big watch fan I didn't appreciate the watch I had. I think that really says something about the cult of watches . And I think you summed it up when you said don't buy a watch just to impress people. But that's exactly why people will buy a rolex. My opinion on rolex, I didn't think it was that special. Quite a heavy lump of metal on a jangly bracelet. And to think of all the car salesmen that wear them
A Rolex Submariner was my grail watch for many years, with hindsight and having now owned one I think what I really wanted was to be able to afford one. Scratched that itch and now wear a Sinn 556 and enjoy it more.
@@SirLoinOfsteak85 You can hardly make the same argument for the Rolex. At +/- 2s/day, it would take 30 days to get to a minute off. And that's assuming there's zero variance there, and the watch is running at the very edge of its accuracy requirement.
I have a friend who would spend thousands of pounds on a push bike, which I don't see the point of. Yet he doesn't see the point of me spending thousands on a watch. But isn't that the point, each to their own hobbies & passions? If you like something you like it, if it £50 or £5000!!
Wearing a Rolex is a statement watch for obvious reasons. Your comment regarding "our own Interpretation of value" is spot on. I cannot justify the expense of several thousand dollars for a watch. Can I afford one? Yes. Give me a Tag. Been wearing them for years, even a quartz and I love their divers. I own a few, have never had one fail, and I love the look. Cheers. Jeff/Boston
@Yorkiepoocharlie I have a collection worth around $250K with watches from Lange, Patek, Moser, Panerai, JLC, UN, Omega and Bulgari. What's my favourite daily - TAG Carrera. What's my favourite vintage watch - TAG S/el. Good looking but not too flashy, reliable, accurate, and undoubtedly the best value out of all the watches I own.
@@planetdee3587 I have a TAG as well in my collection and it's one of my favorite watches. It's durable, accurate, and looks good. It has just become "cool" to hate on TAG which is great because those of us that know better can get great deals on them.
Great, balanced discussion. I personally prefer the $1000-2000 CAD price range, as I find the balance between cost and finishing is perfect. I wear Damasko, Hamilton, and Christopher Ward, because to me they represent the best value in automatic watches.
Agreed. I tap out at $2,000. And honestly $1,000 because it just isn’t justified to me. If I really want an iconic dive watch, I’ll get a Tudor Blackbay. Or Seiko 62mas. Those will get watch nerds talking to me instead of people who don’t know watches and only recognize Rolex.
You’re 100% correct on all points and it’s no different to someone buying a top of the range Mobile Phone or a BMW / Mercedes car; when for a lot less money you could buy a cheaper Android Phone or a Kia / Hyundai car. Is the Rolex better than a Seiko ‘YES’ is it worth the extra......? that’s a personal choice, just like when buying anything be that a Phones, a Car or everyday Food.....
Good point, of course its better! But is it 25 times better? I commented above to Adrian that it would have been better if the comparison was with a better model Seiko.. there are models with 200m and screw down crowns and + or - 5 seconds a day for around 500 euros which would have been a more fair comparison. Love the content always though :-)
@@darrenaquilina1403 That's the cost of luxury. Your average Toyota does everything a car needs to do fairly decently, wont cost you much to maintain, will never break down and will retain good value. Yet rich people buy Rolls Royces which lose 30% value the second they're on the road and cost a small fortune to maintain. Why? Luxury.
@@lool12366 Buddy Rolex is not a Luxury watch... very far from that. Its just an overpriced mass produced watch. Rolls Royce is comparable to A Lange & Sohne.. not Rolex. ;-) Rolex is at most a BMW which is mass produced.
@@darrenaquilina1403 You are right and wrong at the same time. Rolex is of course a mass produced watch, if you compare it to other high tier watch brands. But at the same time it is also a luxury product. One fact doesn’t exclude the other. And, if you would need to compare it to a car brand, than it is definitely the Mercedes of the watches.
I love when watch experts justify the price of a luxury watch because of the sapphire crystal. My Orient and Phoibus both have sapphire crystal yet cost around $300 combined
Yeah man, you can get a $100 Pagani design watch with a sapphire crystal. This does beg the question as to why Seiko won't install them in their entry-level pieces.
My experience with the 4R35/36 movement (I have three) is that they run 7 to 8 seconds per day faster. To me that is more than acceptable for a 300 euro's watch.
my two 7s26 movements(snk803 and skx013) run +4-5 seconds per day. My 4r36 bottle cap runs +3-4 seconds per day. Guess I just got lucky. But my alpinist runs around -30 seconds a day but i think its magnetized tbh.
Yes same here. Accuracy really isn't a reason to choose Rolex here...because Seiko does a tremendous job despite the conservative spec! Pretty low to compare a seiko5 to a Rolex casually though. Obviously the latter is better than an entry-level. With a Prospex it would have been a more fair and interesting comparison.
@Cheesy Helmet even though Rolexes are expensive and sought after by all means, they are not really "for rich people". Obviously certain fanboys will disagree, but collectors with serious cash won't pile up on almost identical Rolexes (GMT Master, Submariner, Yacht Master - yes they all serve different purposes, but it is striking how they are essentially different bezels on the same case), but rather go and get Pateks, APs, VCs, which cost themselves 20x this Rolex.
I had a really fun time with a Seiko 5 about a week ago. I bought my friend a LNIB Seiko SRPE61 to replace a watch his previous girlfriend had bought him. He's not necessarily an enthusiast so a Seiko 5 was a great choice. The SRPE61 is the gray dial with light sunburst effect, smooth bezel, and comes on a gray nato. I had it shipped to me before I sent it to him because I wanted to try it on and also put a letter in the box for him. First, I am totally on board with the gray nato's now, holy cow did it look excellent on this watch. Second, the gray sunburst dial was very impressive for the price point! It had much more sunburst effect than I was expecting and that made me glance down at the watch quite often because of all the dial variation. I've never owned one of the Seiko 5's with the mainstream SKX/SRPD/SRPE case shape because on the website it never appealed to me. But on the wrist, and especially with the smooth bezel, this case shape is really pleasing. I ended up wearing it for the weekend before I sent it to him. It looked great in almost anything I wore. I feel like you could even pass this with a suit if you put it on a different band. I even took it skating one evening and I think it looked pretty badass with black jeans and vans. Really nice watch for the price, if you're thinking about getting one you should.
When i bought something, I wish to use it at its full, unfortunately with Rolex you cannot do it. Here where I Iive you need insurance, safe box, leave it on pocket all times until you arrive, don't go to work with, use only very specific places and times. This is not enjoy, it is paranoia.
Compare the Orient Kamasu to the Rolex Sub. The Orient has sapphire, screw down crown, 200 meters of water resistant, in house hand wind and hacking movement, all for around £200.
The seiko is not a dive watch - it’s a watch that has a dive watch design - and that’s too bad especially when compared to the previous SKX... I hope seiko will launch again a run of true affordable divers for 200£ ! Thanks for the vid ! Cheers man
@@AcidicDelusion I got my Submariner for surfing. Used it for decades. Nowadays that Sub is totally restored and Casio, Phoibos and Islander are My surfing partners!! No diving... Surfing
@@thetruth495 99.9% is just exaggerating. You don't have to do it yourself if you're afraid although it's not hard, just fetch it to a local watchmaker for a quick regulation and it'll only cost very cheap.
Adrian, once again spot on! A great start point for any discussion on watches. For those who have $10K and can afford to drop that $10K on a watch, and want a Rolex, they should spend the money. For those of us among the hoi polloi, there are dozens of great watches out there for well under $1K. And to catch that train, a quartz watch is always the right answer. It is t going to start any conversations, but a quartz watch delivers - until the battery runs out. 😱 It is just a watch after all.
Anything more than a casio f91w is ott in practical terms, but we're only here once & the heart wants, as long as something makes us happy it doesn't matter if its £100 or £10000. 👍🏻
It is refreshing that just by making the comparison of a Seiko SRPD with a Rolex you are granting this beautiful unexpensive watch an incredible value and desirability....congrats to Seiko and obviously to you.
I’ve found my sweet spot to be around 2-4K for a watch. Omega, Oris, Tudor, Grand Seiko, etc. have quality dive watches near or on Rolex’s level for a price closer to the Reasonable side of the spectrum (for me). Great video Adrian 👏🏽
You can't really get any of those guys for 2 to 4k. I don't know how you're getting them for that price. Seiko Presage is around the range. And some old and beat up used Omega and Orises.
I just bought the planet ocean 600m with the 39mm case and rubber strap. I am very happy with mine. I really cannot find anything to complain about. If you jump on a sailboat 40 ft. Your mate wears the Rolex. You wear the planet ocean and take off around the world. Both watches will perform perfect. The planet ocean is a good watch.
Spot on Adrian. I have watches with price tag ranging from £30 to £5k and I personally love them all . Iv never been able to justify spending thousands on a watch because of time keeping or build quality . There again I can’t really justify spending £30 either, because I already own watches . I can only justify spending money on a watch because I simply like the way it looks
I sold my skx 009 for double what I bought it for. That's watches as an investment right there. A sapphire Crystal is maybe a £40 upgrade and you could get the movement adjusted so it runs more accurately. I agree on many points but other distinctions you make are easily fixable.
The Pelagos: cheaper than a sub, tougher than the Seiko 5 Available at an AD, tight QAQC tolerances It's the luxury beater tool watch with history and purpose built design.
I'm not advocating for a comparison but instead suggesting a watch that satisfies many of the advantages of both tiers of watches compared here. The comparison Adrian shared was suited to the point he was trying to articulate.
I bought the green Seiko 5 to play with, I got one in the Jan sales for £160 then did a few Seiko mods. Was great fun learning the basics. The watch looks even better now with a nicer bezel, AR crystal and Mercedes hands. I call my mod "The Sulk". Great vidro as always, Adrian. Cheers
This is just becoming ridiculous. Of cause, a Rolex at that price is not "worth" it, pound per pound. It just isn't. But that's not where the worth of the item is at. It's in the feeling it gives the owner, whether it's to get the owner to feel he is more than others because he has expensive stuff or the feeling the "nerd" get's by having an item with history, quality, and all the rest of it. I bought an Oyster Perpetual 39 with a white dial. I really wanted the Rolex. But when I got it, it just felt bla. I had chased the idea of a Rolex, so when I got it, I found out that I don't really need it to be fulfilled. I ended up selling it, and selling my Tudor BB as well, and kept my Oris Big Crown Pro Pilot and Nomos Ludwig. Thing is, that often you see people with expensive things like watches, cars or something third, and they try so hard to tell everyone else that yes, it is worth it. It's usually not guys that run around with cheaper stuff that goes around judging. This tells me that there's a lot of guys out there who have bought something expensive, and they know it's not really with it, but they have to get everyone to agree with them that is ended with it, so they can feel validated in purchasing the item. So my two cents are. If you want to spend the Rolex money, do it. But do it for you, and don't give an F about other people. And if you end up buying the Oris or Seiko, do it, and don't give rats A what people think. Chances are that in a lifetime, only one, maybe two people will even notice what wristwatch you got on anyways. Too much of that "keeping up with the Joneses going around.
Honestly, being a TH-camr talking about products that are simply jewelry don’t really have much content to talk about other than subjective comparisons of products. It’s just a simple fact, like how can you do a proper review on a piece of jewelry where a lot of it is driven by brand recognition and personal preference. Quite different dynamic than review of technical products like cars or cameras or smartphones.
I don't agree with "..in a lifetime, only one, maybe two people will even notice what wristwatch you got on anyways." I often have people approach me to talk about things I wear. If you are approachable it doesn't matter what you wear, you will get noticed and people will develop interest in how you express yourself whether it be from a watch, clothes, etc. If you are stand offish, for sure, people will continue to not notice and\or avoid you irrespective of what you have on. We are social animals, in fact we depend on it to thrive. It's OK to care about how others may perceive or react to you while maintaining a healthy balance of being true to yourself. In return, you have available your own personal fun stories and ideas for exchange.
@@angelclaudio604 What I wrote is like everything a matter of #notall. Ussually people I tend to run into, are people who I have more in common with that is outside the physical. Offcause, if you run in circles where people are into stuff like watches, you might have people noticing. As I said #notall. It's a bit of a strawman to write "approachability" in my humble opinion.
@@JohDan6969 I get your point - if you want a Rolex buy one - or not, do it for you, don't care about what others think or buy one to as you say for "..keeping up with the Joneses.." I feel it's a fairly common opinion and posted many times to exhaust - but for sure to your defense people usually buy things for the wrong reasons. I'm offering another point to change the perspective which is somewhat in line with yours, yes do things for yourself - but while doing that, it's completely fine to consider, key word consider, how others may react or feel about the way you express yourself through fashion. It's in our nature to care about what others think, and if you feel good about what you are putting out there in the world that may facilitate your interaction, embrace it! My point is your decision in having an item of self expression doesn't have to be determined in absolutes that just center on you.
we are much more lucky in Asia as the cost of servicing Seiko is much more lower compare to other country. Both are great and appeal to different level of people perceive value. As for accuracy, a good regulate done on Seiko will also able to reach a good accuracy.
Interestingly enough, during Diving School - they would equip us with diving computers. People who buy "Dive" watches, might not necessarily be divers or even go swimming with it. The heart wants what it wants, the term "Dress watch", "Beater watch", "Military watch", "Pilot watch", "Dive watch", "Sports watch", list could go on - YOU decide what you like, and it dictates your style. If you can own it, own it. If you like wearing it, wear it. Just know the reasons, if you wish to please others or yourself? Whether that's a Rolex or a Seiko...or a Lange, it's personal joy. Just like listening to a splendid piece of music or reading poetry, it's about what makes us happy as individuals.
I get tired of all the Rolex reviews the last years. I owned a Sub Mariner, Sold it and got a Zenith El Primero. Also own a GS Springdrive and GS 9F. Imo better time keepers than a Rolex. 85% of the Rolex owners use it for status symbol. And i don't buy a watch as an investment, i use my watches.
Some people have Rolex watches strictly as investments. I know Wall St. guys that have 50+ and watch their value like hawks on spreadsheets like on Chrono 24. Some people are collectors like my self, who collect as a hobby. (For FUN). Why not have a hobby where you buy, enjoy the watches, and eventually sell them (at least a ten year wait) for what you paid for them or more? People forget that the “collecting” is the enjoyment of this hobby. So collect what you like is what I say. People have forgotten the FUN part of collecting watches.
@@jameskikuoka4863 yes, because watching your net worth increase while owning multiple items the rest of society are falling over themselves to obtain does not sound like fun at all...😂
For the average person, it's not just about investments, it's about value retention. We don't know what life might throw at us, whether it's a crisis, or just a change of taste in watches. I'd like to know that I could then sell my watch for as much as I paid for it, if not more than. It's the different between "I paid $500/year to wear this watch" versus "I was paid $500/year to wear this watch"
Enjoy it , so long as it doesn't get magnetised (an Ebay demagnetiser sorts that out for next to nothing) they just go on and on. I have a few and they have all been great.
I own a Sub and several Seikos. I think you can love chili dogs and dry-aged, medium rare steaks at the same time without having to pit them against each other. I will say I rarely worry about my Sub when it’s on the wrist. It’s built like a tank and was made for activity. I mow the lawn with it, take it on hikes and bring it in the water.
Really impressed by the lack of bias here. My only question is whether the Seiko would have fared better had it been an SKX rather than the 5KX. Can't imagine any big changes other than the depth rating and cult status.
I have both and the Islander, a version of the SKX supplied by Long Island watches, is a dayly beater. Both are great but Islander 02 on a Crafter blue Rubber strap is what I wear.😎🤔
Just bought a Seiko exactly like the one in this video. I absolutely love it. It is the perfect size, not top heavy like the Seiko Monster is. The bracelet is comfortable. And as for accuracy, the specs may well say -35 to +45 secs a day, but mine has gained exactly one minute in 12 days… +5 secs a day. Awesome. And the best thing? I don’t need to worry about wearing it.
I love your channel… I am a watch enthusiast in the low to mid range cost category as far as watch collecting goes. I have a couple examples of ‘luxury’ ...I have upwards of 30 to 40 at all times of what many would refer to as cheap/beater/throwaways...I love this piece/video...It is honest/forthright and in many ways exposes the weaknesses of watching collecting...Thanks for the great piece! PS… The new Zenith it’s not a homage of the Daytona😉
Would be interesting in seeing something like this but comparing a Rolex against a similar spec'd watch with an ETA regulated to COSC standards, and sapphire glass. Now that would certainly be an interesting comparison in terms of diminishing returns.
I have this seiko, it's beautiful, you can swim with it (including a water slide) and it's fairly accurate for the price. Left it alone for over a day for the first time and was about 15 seconds off. The offset crown I've fallen in love with and I do wish it was screw down for more security.
Nailed it with it being a personal decision. Could easily sport a custom Seiko with a sub style case and keep the Submariner in the safe until the weekend and increase in value. Picked up the same Seiko but on the nato late last year as a beater. The vibrant modding community has me eager to swap in a sapphire crystal and change the bezel.
I have an Invicta with 300M water resistance that cost me £110 (including VAT and delivery) and is consistently accurate to +1 seconds a day despite having a NH35 movement. It's built like a tank and almost as heavy, but it's the best watch bargain EVER! Rolex watches are for posers and gangsters who like to show off how rich they are.
I’m brand new to the watch game and Im considering the Seiko 5 as my first purchase. Although having a Rolex one day would be nice this video further comforted me about the upcoming inaugural purchase. Thanks
I have the Seiko!! My brother who is a watch freak has the Rolex. My observations 1. The Seiko has far better lume. 2. It has a day and date. Who doesn't find that handy? 3. 41 hours power reserve is just fine. 4. I won the Seiko lottery with mine, perfectly aligned chapter ring AND. ....+ 2 spd according to our Weishi Timegrapher, (same as my bro's Rolex). 5. I don't have to insure it. 6. I don't care if I scratch it. I can buy 20 more and still spend less than what a Rolex costs! 7. It's really a more attractive watch to look at than a Rolex. (Matter of taste I suppose )And don't get me talking about that disgusting cyclops on some of the models. BTW, my non beater is a newly acquired Grand Seiko SLGHOO5 that cost me more than that Rolex and if you're really worried about missing your train, you definitely won't miss it with a Seiko Spring Drive. 😉 ....and a confession. Yes, I insured the GS.
I find the Seiko more beautiful than the Rolex, especially looking at the design of the hands and the 5-minute indications on the dial. I have a Seiko 5 myself and it runs at an accuracy of +5 seconds a day. The hardlex crystal holds up very well till now. Maybe it is less scratch resistant, but for one Rolex I can buy 25 Seikos, so if an ugly scratch would appear than I will simply buy a new one.
8:07 Now that you've mentioned resale values of seiko... I am making money with every single Seiko I've purchased SKX, guigiaro reissue, old padi turtle (air diver) has all been discontinued and gone up to anywhere around 2 to 5 times of the price I've paid for Although arnie reissue hasn't increased in price, I paid so low for a new one that I'd be making money selling it as a used watch. On the other hand, I lost 30% on calatrava, 20% on royal oak and 1.5k on speedmaster. I also lost 1k on 114060 Go figure
Yeah great video!! Would be interested in a similar one comparing the Rolex with the Seiko SPB143. That could be really cruel for Rolex because the Seiko has a cool tool watch factor the Rolex had and has lost.
This is an eye opener video. Thanks to this guy for putting it so nicely. My thoughts have matured over the age. I dont think we should think it is stupid for someone to buy the Rolex. I own the Seiko 5. I bought it because I loved it the first time I saw it. Then I saw about it on youtube and found this video. The Seiko is classy and elegant and I bought it because its covered well within my monthly income. So if you are going for the Rolex go for it when that dosent cause a dent in your savings!
People automatically assume that accuracy is a benchmark of quality but this is not the case. Its simply that makers like Rolex regulate their watches, whereas the cheaper brands put their movements in unregulated because its an extremely labour intensive time consuming process. If you're prepared to put in that time and effort you can get almost any decent mechanical running to within chronometer spec if you know what you're doing and have the equipment. Amongst others including a couple of Seiko 5's,I've got a £50 Vostok running to within 5 seconds a day.
Great video as always. I agree with everything you said! I own 2 submariners myself. A 5-digit from my birthyear and a 116610ln. They're not worth the price. Only because of the way they hold value/increases in value on the 2nd hand grey market. But if you took a loss on buying Rolex retail (e.g. Submariners) they would not be cost efficient or value for money whatsoever and I could then NEVER justify buying one. Absolutely love the way many Rolex models looks. The Explorer 1 & 2, the Sub, Gmt and Daytona in particular. But I am very critical to the brands (Rolex) way of doing business. There is no transparancy, and then there is the "waiting lists" and the grey market situation. It's shady on so many levels. But the watches i absolutely adore. It's the people in charge of Rolex that I have a problem with.
I went from the Pepsi version of that Seiko to a BB58 Blue, not quite a Sub but still a huge difference in price. I didn't really want to let go of the Seiko though but couldn't justify keeping both. Bought it at a discount and sold it for the same price. Great video as always.
@@simonbailey2151 but the problem is he is grabbing one of the cheapest seikos vs one of the medium price rolex, i think a $1k seiko will make his point better
@@MegaMarlon0123 Not necessarily. The whole point was about value, both of the watch and of the watch to the buyer. Having more drastic differences makes this comparison better.
This reminds me of a watch moment I had. Was sitting on the beach at the North Sea, researching end game dives watches (GS, Blaincpain, Glashütte Original, etc.) to buy. Then I looked at the Seiko SKX I was wearing and wondered: Why am I looking for another dive watch? There‘s nothing left to be desired, that this watch does not deliver. So the SKX remains my only diver up to today.
I watched your video wearing my Grand Seiko spring drive diver (SBGA229). I found the Seiko had many, but not all, of the same design elements of my GS. The Seiko is certainly an attractive value proposition for many people without regard to affordability. I do not have the new Sport 5 reference but I do have the Seiko Samurai Great White Shark and it is indeed an amazing value proposition for somebody who prefers not to spend a great deal on watch but who wants something that both looks good with decent overall specifications. Watches are a form of self indulgence with a lot of justification based upon the dual mystique of horological value and horological heritage. Your video provides an interesting reality check. Fine work.
This is a pretty useless comparison a much more Relevant comparison would be comparing Rolex to omega, JLC Aand similar watch brands, which probably cost half or less than Rolex and provide a much better value.
It’s not useless at all. It’s about comparing two different philosophies....the point of the video was not to find a better alternative but simply compare and see the advances and disadvantages of both models.
I have a Rolex sub I also have a Seiko 5. The Seiko is my every day beater watch. I was once given a Breitling, a gift from an uncle. It was one of my prized positions. I wore it every day for every activity. I had it 20 years. Once pin broke while I was running a 10 HP snow thrower. That watch went through the snow thrower and landed 50 feet away. I found it that spring with a broken crystal months after the snow melted. I got it fixed and continued to ware it every day. Years later, I was on a river trip down the Grand Canyon. Again a pin broke and I lost that watch. At least I know someone some where is enjoying. A ugly NATO strap is the way to go. Today I now enjoy my Rolex sub and while running white water or working I ware my Seiko 5. There is a place for both. I will add my Seiko 5 is a great everyday watch.
What we need is a unit of happiness (perhaps a smile?) and then a way of figuring out how many smiles a watch gives and then figure out a smile per dollar quotient - a watch stops being worth extra when it keeps demanding money but stops giving more smiles.
The main sticking point for me is movement accuracy- with cheap autos, I find I’m always checking a digital clock and seeing how inaccurate they’re becoming
I have this exact Seiko and can’t fault it. I set it on the first of the month, have worn it everyday without adjusting the time, and on day 23 is running 4 seconds faster than the computer I set it from.
@@bigmacdaddy1234 No, if it doesn’t meet the ISO standard it isn’t a dive watch, those include a 200m water resistance and a screw down crown. By your logic if one dives in a tuxedo it’s a wet suit.😂😂
@@davidcallan7844 Nobody gives a crap about the ISO standard. Divers use a computerized dive watch as their lives depend on it and it offers so much more than what ISO is calling for. For your little swim at the beach any watch will do.
You could have picked several other watches with pretty much same specs as Rolex for around $300 which would be a better comparison to demonstrate that all your paying for is brand and advertising. Outside of macro shots (which doesn't matter unless you're running around wearing a loop), there is NO way you can logically end up explaining the cost of a Rolex. Just say, "I like the attention I get wearing a rolex." And accuracy... I've got cheap nh35s running Rolex numbers after 5 min of regulating myself. He'll, Vostok movements are notorious for running +/- 2 sec.
Rolex has been very good at marketing its brand as a luxury timepiece. That's all it is. The wait time to actually get a watch from an AD, their slow process to make one, that's on purpose to sell the illusion you're getting something no other brand can offer you. It's the same tactic used by Apple, people think iPhones are top of the food chain in smartphone technology. (spoiler alert: they're not.) In business school, one of the very first things you learn is that a watch such as that Rolex doesn't cost £6,000 because Rolex says so, it costs £6,000 because that's the value the customer agrees to pay for it. If everyone were to stop buying Submariners, the price has to drop. If by some strange reason people decided to not pay the suggested price anymore, Rolex would have to roll back to price their watches according to how they used to sell them as: tool watches and not luxury watches. Like it or not, Rolex is not at the king of the jungle, it's barely the gateway drug into the luxury watch world. Remove the marketing aspect of Rolex and you have a regular watch company. And don't get me started on the "heritage" argument. If you pass down a Rolex or a Seiko, that watch no matter what brand it is, is priceless.
To me a Seiko IS a luxury watch. Even if I had the money to buy a Rolex I wouldn't buy one. Here are my reasons why: 1) I'd be too afraid to wear it in public for fear of it being damaged or stolen from me. 2) I find watches like that to be narcissistic. What are you trying to tell people other than you have money? 3) Other people don't care what watch you wear. 4) The time on a Rolex is no different to the time on a Seiko. 5) With the money I buy on a Seiko I could buy a car or a holiday 6) I just prefer Seiko to Rolex.
Look, let me defend Seiko here. If you can’t afford an original Van Gogh, of course you should get a picture of a Van Gogh, frame it, and put it up on a wall. That’s what Seiko is for: cheap, affordable fun for the masses who aren’t fortunate enough to afford any better. What’s wrong with that? After all, if Jethro and Ellie May can have a ‘cement pond’, why can’t everybody?
I have just recieved new automatic watch from China,that I bought by aliexpress ,this watch named BODERRY, titanium case, skeleton mechanical watch ,sapphire crystal,, 72hour power reserve, Hangzhou movement, so comfortable, and works so good.... I am so happy to have this wonderful watch, and it is not expensive, only 143 euros... .. Believe me,quality and design is very very good .
You need both. The Seiko when you walk around in Paris or London, the Rolex when you chill on the sofa and flex on Instagram.
😄 love this
It’s a bit sad that you can’t walk around with the watch that you love...
I wore a sea dweller in London for like 5 years, not always possible to stuff under the cuff on the tube...
🤣🤣🤣
I wore my Sub everywhere, very often in Paris...
So what?!
Rolex accuracy is amazing. Every time you glance at it, it reliably tells you how much money you have.
@KGR Even the cheapest G-Shock only lost/gain less than 15 seconds a MONTH.
God tier.
yea zero money cos it's all spent on the watch
Lol
Best comment
😂
To be honest, I own two Seikos with the 4R35 movement and neither of them ever do much worse than +5-6 seconds a day. Seiko is renowned for rating their watches to the most ridiculously poor accuracy margins, despite the fact that they almost always perform a hell of a lot better than that.
Mine is like 15+/- so yeah but you don't get a automatic for the accuracy or to tale you the time you get it because you like it
Think I have a exceptional one out the box +2 sec a day. I got mine for the style, look, build. Seiko just has that great clarity and sharpness and I love glancing at it. On top of that I do like the fact I can simply hand wind it when I want without having to unscrew the crown. I am also safe walking down the street with no fear of being mugged for my watch.
My SRPD runs at about -9 per day, certainly can’t complain
@@thisoldbelair agree, very good figure. I love the fact we have a beating micro machine on our wrist. I have quartz watches as well if I want to pick up and go and know the time is right. My autos are my weekend thing.
Have your seikos regulated if you feel that they are too fast or slow, it's an easy thing to do for watchmakers with a timegrapher and it makes your watches a lot more accurate than when they were adjusted in the factory.
Not sure where I heard it, but "Anyone who buys a ten thousand dollar watch is either very very good with money, or very bad with it"
Woooow amen!!!!! I love it!
Haha sounds true
Wise words
17-minutes late vs 1-minute late.....either way, you've missed the train.
Haha. Very true.
Waiting to depart for 16 minutes fewer seems more likely
Not if your early
You'll still make the train in the UK, though
@@jonthedoors ....LOL
Something to keep in mind: seiko is *extremely* modest with their accuracy ratings. Usually, they maintain the same level of accuracy as the rolex (or in my experience anyway)
You’re a funny guy. I like you.
This is true. I've seen the seiko 5s easily hold on to, give or take, 2 seconds a day
@@leatt6136 I mean, he's not exactly lying. Many a reviewer say their seikos hold a MUCH closer accuracy than their on-paper spec.
@@thegirthquake8574 i’m not laughing about that part, I’m laughing about the fact apparently most of them are at the same level of accuracy as Rolex which is obviously b*llshit.
@@leatt6136 I mean-- Fair enough.
Lol if the number of jewels in a movement indicate quality then Vostok is on par with Rolex 😂
31 Jewels! Show me what you got Rolex!!!
@@willayton4950 Hahahaha exactly
Old Wives tales the more jewels the better the movment, that all started in the early 80's for watch companies to try and pretend there watch was better than others. So many early pocket watches only had 6 jewels and are still working today over a 155 years later. Its not amount of jewels it all comes down to workmen ship, material, and engineering.
@@greamepenney5947 Yup, that's my poin aswell. Just iritates me when large watch channels spread these kinds of myths and don't bother to do basic research
@@holokron1337 totally agree. I asked before if Adrian's rolex did not have rolex on it would he still see the watch in the same light. Or is he just taken by the brand name and not so much the real technical side of what the watch is designed for. Also its only a dive watch design its not a dive watch divers wear a dive computer. The year is 2021 not 1950. But its sad when a supposed watch channel says something that shows there ignorance.
My 2 cents, based on my experience. I'm a diver and I always wear a dive watch as a backup to my computer. I also use the watch to time the surface intervals between dives. I own both a Rolex Sub and a Seiko Save the Ocean turtle. As a time keeping device the Rolex is obviously the superior piece. But as a diving tool I much prefer the Seiko. The larger diameter makes it easier to read in low light/poor visibility conditions and the taller/grippier bezel is so much easier to operate, especially when using gloves. Love both watches. Great video!
Finally a review from an actual diver, actually learned something, thanks ✌
@@gdesatyavrata 👍
Got to love the Seiko Turtle. I have the olive green dial turtle on a Classic red and green Bond nato, its gorgeous,
We found the only guy who actually uses the watches for diving.
@@overman2306 I use my Citizen Fugu for diving and in should never take my Rolex Submariner to a dive, where I can easily break it or even lose it.
Great assessment of these two iconic watches.
I do agree that, having a watch right now, to wear everyday, is much better than waiting for a watch that you may wear only on a few occasions.
The Seiko 5 to me is the best value IMHO. Thanks for your insight and thanks for sharing.
Its true its like buying expensive shoe and not wearing it or just a chuck taylor that we use a lot everyday👍
Best ability is availability. I prefer seiko over rolex for that.
Buy a Seiko while you are on a wait list perhaps 🤔
If you would not actually buy a Rolex if it were available, then your comments are pure waffle 🧇
Get an Omega or a Tudor.
You can actually buy them.
@@panorama4526 I bought 3 Tudors while waiting (played into their hands lol).
Might look at an Omega but do not think it’s my thing.
Neither is a Sub though!
“The Rolex is more my style” shock statement from Adrian 😉😂
😂
Owned a submariner, and to be honest at the time I wasn't a big watch fan I didn't appreciate the watch I had. I think that really says something about the cult of watches . And I think you summed it up when you said don't buy a watch just to impress people. But that's exactly why people will buy a rolex. My opinion on rolex, I didn't think it was that special. Quite a heavy lump of metal on a jangly bracelet. And to think of all the car salesmen that wear them
A Rolex Submariner was my grail watch for many years, with hindsight and having now owned one I think what I really wanted was to be able to afford one. Scratched that itch and now wear a Sinn 556 and enjoy it more.
Absolutely love the Sinn 556! Fantastic just about anything watch. I’ve been meaning to snag one for some time. Just haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
One you'll miss your train for. One you'll lose your wrist for! 🤦
True.
Here in UK, you'd miss the train and lose your wrist either way :D
You wouldn't buy the Seiko if you wanted to know what time it is. I don't see the point of it. Buy a black Casio Duro instead and pocket the change.
@@greensocks4507 You could make the same argument about the Rolex though. Or just use your phone which is always going to be more accurate.
@@SirLoinOfsteak85 You can hardly make the same argument for the Rolex. At +/- 2s/day, it would take 30 days to get to a minute off. And that's assuming there's zero variance there, and the watch is running at the very edge of its accuracy requirement.
I have a friend who would spend thousands of pounds on a push bike, which I don't see the point of. Yet he doesn't see the point of me spending thousands on a watch. But isn't that the point, each to their own hobbies & passions? If you like something you like it, if it £50 or £5000!!
That's the trouble, there are so many people that only get themselves.
Exactly. As long as you aren't putting yourself in debt for pursuing your hobbies then go ahead and spend as much money as you have available
@@jollyrob I agree, and I totally get it, just saying there's money & quality in whatever floats people's boats. 👍
Not to mention the resale value of his push bike is not amazing....
I like expensive watches and bikes. Man, I’m in deep hell
This is THEE essential watch ownership conversation.
nya nyaa uwu
Wearing a Rolex is a statement watch for obvious reasons. Your comment regarding "our own Interpretation of value" is spot on. I cannot justify the expense of several thousand dollars for a watch. Can I afford one? Yes. Give me a Tag. Been wearing them for years, even a quartz and I love their divers. I own a few, have never had one fail, and I love the look. Cheers. Jeff/Boston
@Yorkiepoocharlie Yep, they are great watches for their price point
@@mattarmson8324 I agree with this. I own both a Rolex and a Tag and I see nothing wrong with Tag at all.
@Yorkiepoocharlie I have a collection worth around $250K with watches from Lange, Patek, Moser, Panerai, JLC, UN, Omega and Bulgari. What's my favourite daily - TAG Carrera. What's my favourite vintage watch - TAG S/el. Good looking but not too flashy, reliable, accurate, and undoubtedly the best value out of all the watches I own.
@@planetdee3587 I have a TAG as well in my collection and it's one of my favorite watches. It's durable, accurate, and looks good. It has just become "cool" to hate on TAG which is great because those of us that know better can get great deals on them.
I had a Tag I wore everyday for 10 years and then the chronograph just broke. It was a quartz and it wasn’t worth repairing sadly.
Great, balanced discussion. I personally prefer the $1000-2000 CAD price range, as I find the balance between cost and finishing is perfect. I wear Damasko, Hamilton, and Christopher Ward, because to me they represent the best value in automatic watches.
agreed... going north of 1k the value proposition begins to dip very quickly
Agreed. I tap out at $2,000. And honestly $1,000 because it just isn’t justified to me. If I really want an iconic dive watch, I’ll get a Tudor Blackbay. Or Seiko 62mas. Those will get watch nerds talking to me instead of people who don’t know watches and only recognize Rolex.
You’re 100% correct on all points and it’s no different to someone buying a top of the range Mobile Phone or a BMW / Mercedes car; when for a lot less money you could buy a cheaper Android Phone or a Kia / Hyundai car. Is the Rolex better than a Seiko ‘YES’ is it worth the extra......? that’s a personal choice, just like when buying anything be that a Phones, a Car or everyday Food.....
Good point, of course its better! But is it 25 times better? I commented above to Adrian that it would have been better if the comparison was with a better model Seiko.. there are models with 200m and screw down crowns and + or - 5 seconds a day for around 500 euros which would have been a more fair comparison. Love the content always though :-)
@@darrenaquilina1403 That's the cost of luxury. Your average Toyota does everything a car needs to do fairly decently, wont cost you much to maintain, will never break down and will retain good value. Yet rich people buy Rolls Royces which lose 30% value the second they're on the road and cost a small fortune to maintain. Why? Luxury.
@@lool12366 Buddy Rolex is not a Luxury watch... very far from that. Its just an overpriced mass produced watch. Rolls Royce is comparable to A Lange & Sohne.. not Rolex. ;-) Rolex is at most a BMW which is mass produced.
@@darrenaquilina1403 You are right and wrong at the same time. Rolex is of course a mass produced watch, if you compare it to other high tier watch brands. But at the same time it is also a luxury product. One fact doesn’t exclude the other. And, if you would need to compare it to a car brand, than it is definitely the Mercedes of the watches.
@@Rabauke2.0 Mercedes and BMW are on the same level so we agree :-)
I love when watch experts justify the price of a luxury watch because of the sapphire crystal. My Orient and Phoibus both have sapphire crystal yet cost around $300 combined
Yeah man, you can get a $100 Pagani design watch with a sapphire crystal.
This does beg the question as to why Seiko won't install them in their entry-level pieces.
You can buy a third party sapphire and modify any watch 😂
My experience with the 4R35/36 movement (I have three) is that they run 7 to 8 seconds per day faster. To me that is more than acceptable for a 300 euro's watch.
Yes, mine too, 10 or 15 per day, Seiko is a very good watchmaker
my two 7s26 movements(snk803 and skx013) run +4-5 seconds per day. My 4r36 bottle cap runs +3-4 seconds per day. Guess I just got lucky. But my alpinist runs around -30 seconds a day but i think its magnetized tbh.
Yes same here. Accuracy really isn't a reason to choose Rolex here...because Seiko does a tremendous job despite the conservative spec!
Pretty low to compare a seiko5 to a Rolex casually though. Obviously the latter is better than an entry-level. With a Prospex it would have been a more fair and interesting comparison.
@Cheesy Helmet even though Rolexes are expensive and sought after by all means, they are not really "for rich people". Obviously certain fanboys will disagree, but collectors with serious cash won't pile up on almost identical Rolexes (GMT Master, Submariner, Yacht Master - yes they all serve different purposes, but it is striking how they are essentially different bezels on the same case), but rather go and get Pateks, APs, VCs, which cost themselves 20x this Rolex.
@@Paulorsadv it should be per month:D i had several seikos - no thank you no more
I had a really fun time with a Seiko 5 about a week ago. I bought my friend a LNIB Seiko SRPE61 to replace a watch his previous girlfriend had bought him. He's not necessarily an enthusiast so a Seiko 5 was a great choice. The SRPE61 is the gray dial with light sunburst effect, smooth bezel, and comes on a gray nato. I had it shipped to me before I sent it to him because I wanted to try it on and also put a letter in the box for him. First, I am totally on board with the gray nato's now, holy cow did it look excellent on this watch. Second, the gray sunburst dial was very impressive for the price point! It had much more sunburst effect than I was expecting and that made me glance down at the watch quite often because of all the dial variation. I've never owned one of the Seiko 5's with the mainstream SKX/SRPD/SRPE case shape because on the website it never appealed to me. But on the wrist, and especially with the smooth bezel, this case shape is really pleasing. I ended up wearing it for the weekend before I sent it to him. It looked great in almost anything I wore. I feel like you could even pass this with a suit if you put it on a different band. I even took it skating one evening and I think it looked pretty badass with black jeans and vans. Really nice watch for the price, if you're thinking about getting one you should.
Thank sou for this comment :)
😊
If you want a Rolex, get a Rolex. Don’t settle for less, don’t settle for more. Not a Patek nor Seiko can satisfy that desire.
That's exactly how I came out to my parents.
Unless you want a Patek or a Seiko... in which case buy them instead. Or in my case... a Casio
I settle for more, which is Grand Seiko.
@@ocb05 Cool story bro, I'm sure your family is proud
@@ocb05 As long as it comes on a leather strap. 👍
When i bought something, I wish to use it at its full, unfortunately with Rolex you cannot do it. Here where I Iive you need insurance, safe box, leave it on pocket all times until you arrive, don't go to work with, use only very specific places and times. This is not enjoy, it is paranoia.
You don't have to live in a hell hole.
Or be a pu$$y.
The safest place my Rolex can be, is my arm.
Wear the damn thing. Own it. Don't let the fear own you.
@@brandonnickerson8934 here in Brazil wearing a Rolex anywhere could cost your life...
Come to Chicago, South Side.
If wearing a watch can cost you the life, obviously, it's time to start thinking on moving somewhere else
Compare the Orient Kamasu to the Rolex Sub. The Orient has sapphire, screw down crown, 200 meters of water resistant, in house hand wind and hacking movement, all for around £200.
Rumor has it that even MVMT watches are superior to Rolex ;)
I'd sell my Daytona to get a mvmt watch. They are on a level with ap and patek.... At least alpha m told me so
The seiko is not a dive watch - it’s a watch that has a dive watch design - and that’s too bad especially when compared to the previous SKX...
I hope seiko will launch again a run of true affordable divers for 200£ !
Thanks for the vid ! Cheers man
Go with ISLANDER.
@@pedrosaenz2800 Yes - very good alternative ! (I already have an skx013 :)
Let's get real. No one buying a rolex is deep diving with it
@@AcidicDelusion I got my Submariner for surfing. Used it for decades. Nowadays that Sub is totally restored and Casio, Phoibos and Islander are My surfing partners!! No diving... Surfing
Orient is the new Seiko I think. Seiko seems to be trying to go upmarket while Epson seems to be keeping Orient more affordable.
Regarding the accuracy, you can just regulate it to +2 or 3 seconds per day on the nh35.
Yeah but only if you know what you are doing and 99.9% of people don't.
@@thetruth495 99.9% is just exaggerating. You don't have to do it yourself if you're afraid although it's not hard, just fetch it to a local watchmaker for a quick regulation and it'll only cost very cheap.
Adrian, once again spot on! A great start point for any discussion on watches.
For those who have $10K and can afford to drop that $10K on a watch, and want a Rolex, they should spend the money.
For those of us among the hoi polloi, there are dozens of great watches out there for well under $1K.
And to catch that train, a quartz watch is always the right answer. It is t going to start any conversations, but a quartz watch delivers - until the battery runs out. 😱
It is just a watch after all.
Anything more than a casio f91w is ott in practical terms, but we're only here once & the heart wants, as long as something makes us happy it doesn't matter if its £100 or £10000. 👍🏻
Actually owning f91w is also ott as bow every has a smartphone from which you can tell time
It is refreshing that just by making the comparison of a Seiko SRPD with a Rolex you are granting this beautiful unexpensive watch an incredible value and desirability....congrats to Seiko and obviously to you.
People who generally freak out over misaligned bezels might want to avoid minutes 6:52-55.
🤣😂
Was thinking the same 😂
Now I've seen it I can't un-see it. I'm traumatised.
I did not hear a word Adrian said during those seconds...!😮🤣
I’ve found my sweet spot to be around 2-4K for a watch. Omega, Oris, Tudor, Grand Seiko, etc. have quality dive watches near or on Rolex’s level for a price closer to the Reasonable side of the spectrum (for me).
Great video Adrian 👏🏽
Agreed, I recently picked up a Tudor Bronze Bay and I'm absolutely blown away by it!
I do agree with you. Even with 1000 you can start with Hamilton
That’s the whole reason I decided to go with the Omega Seamaster 300. So much mir value for the price.... and you don’t have to wait years for them.
@@ticktalk8055 Seamaster 300 is a great watch. The new one I like even better, very cool with a lollipop hand, revised case, and the sandwich dial.👌🏼
You can't really get any of those guys for 2 to 4k. I don't know how you're getting them for that price. Seiko Presage is around the range. And some old and beat up used Omega and Orises.
Can you review a Planet Ocean? Love to get your take on them!
I’m hoping to get hands on with one. 👍🏻
YASSS! I would love this!
Yes Adrian, please do a planet ocean feature
39,5 mm please 😌
I just bought the planet ocean 600m with the 39mm case and rubber strap. I am very happy with mine.
I really cannot find anything to complain about. If you jump on a sailboat 40 ft. Your mate wears the Rolex. You wear the planet ocean and take off around the world. Both watches will perform perfect. The planet ocean is a good watch.
Just picked up that exact Seiko for £159. It’s running +7s pd and I’m very happy with it.
Spot on Adrian. I have watches with price tag ranging from £30 to £5k and I personally love them all . Iv never been able to justify spending thousands on a watch because of time keeping or build quality . There again I can’t really justify spending £30 either, because I already own watches . I can only justify spending money on a watch because I simply like the way it looks
Well said.
I sold my skx 009 for double what I bought it for. That's watches as an investment right there. A sapphire Crystal is maybe a £40 upgrade and you could get the movement adjusted so it runs more accurately. I agree on many points but other distinctions you make are easily fixable.
The Pelagos:
cheaper than a sub, tougher than the Seiko 5
Available at an AD, tight QAQC tolerances
It's the luxury beater tool watch with history and purpose built design.
The Pelagos and SeaDweller is a better comparison.
a better comparison would be smp 300 vs the sub, watch n co has a video on it too
I'm not advocating for a comparison but instead suggesting a watch that satisfies many of the advantages of both tiers of watches compared here. The comparison Adrian shared was suited to the point he was trying to articulate.
Scurfa Diver One - cheaper than the Sub, cheaper than the Seiko... Milsub hands, 500m.
I bought the green Seiko 5 to play with, I got one in the Jan sales for £160 then did a few Seiko mods. Was great fun learning the basics. The watch looks even better now with a nicer bezel, AR crystal and Mercedes hands. I call my mod "The Sulk".
Great vidro as always, Adrian. Cheers
Sulk lol 😂
This is just becoming ridiculous.
Of cause, a Rolex at that price is not "worth" it, pound per pound. It just isn't.
But that's not where the worth of the item is at. It's in the feeling it gives the owner, whether it's to get the owner to feel he is more than others because he has expensive stuff or the feeling the "nerd" get's by having an item with history, quality, and all the rest of it.
I bought an Oyster Perpetual 39 with a white dial. I really wanted the Rolex. But when I got it, it just felt bla. I had chased the idea of a Rolex, so when I got it, I found out that I don't really need it to be fulfilled.
I ended up selling it, and selling my Tudor BB as well, and kept my Oris Big Crown Pro Pilot and Nomos Ludwig.
Thing is, that often you see people with expensive things like watches, cars or something third, and they try so hard to tell everyone else that yes, it is worth it. It's usually not guys that run around with cheaper stuff that goes around judging.
This tells me that there's a lot of guys out there who have bought something expensive, and they know it's not really with it, but they have to get everyone to agree with them that is ended with it, so they can feel validated in purchasing the item.
So my two cents are. If you want to spend the Rolex money, do it. But do it for you, and don't give an F about other people. And if you end up buying the Oris or Seiko, do it, and don't give rats A what people think. Chances are that in a lifetime, only one, maybe two people will even notice what wristwatch you got on anyways. Too much of that "keeping up with the Joneses going around.
Honestly, being a TH-camr talking about products that are simply jewelry don’t really have much content to talk about other than subjective comparisons of products. It’s just a simple fact, like how can you do a proper review on a piece of jewelry where a lot of it is driven by brand recognition and personal preference. Quite different dynamic than review of technical products like cars or cameras or smartphones.
I don't agree with "..in a lifetime, only one, maybe two people will even notice what wristwatch you got on anyways." I often have people approach me to talk about things I wear. If you are approachable it doesn't matter what you wear, you will get noticed and people will develop interest in how you express yourself whether it be from a watch, clothes, etc. If you are stand offish, for sure, people will continue to not notice and\or avoid you irrespective of what you have on. We are social animals, in fact we depend on it to thrive. It's OK to care about how others may perceive or react to you while maintaining a healthy balance of being true to yourself. In return, you have available your own personal fun stories and ideas for exchange.
@@angelclaudio604 What I wrote is like everything a matter of #notall.
Ussually people I tend to run into, are people who I have more in common with that is outside the physical.
Offcause, if you run in circles where people are into stuff like watches, you might have people noticing. As I said #notall.
It's a bit of a strawman to write "approachability" in my humble opinion.
@@angelclaudio604 it's not about being approachable. You've missed the point.
@@JohDan6969 I get your point - if you want a Rolex buy one - or not, do it for you, don't care about what others think or buy one to as you say for "..keeping up with the Joneses.." I feel it's a fairly common opinion and posted many times to exhaust - but for sure to your defense people usually buy things for the wrong reasons. I'm offering another point to change the perspective which is somewhat in line with yours, yes do things for yourself - but while doing that, it's completely fine to consider, key word consider, how others may react or feel about the way you express yourself through fashion. It's in our nature to care about what others think, and if you feel good about what you are putting out there in the world that may facilitate your interaction, embrace it! My point is your decision in having an item of self expression doesn't have to be determined in absolutes that just center on you.
we are much more lucky in Asia as the cost of servicing Seiko is much more lower compare to other country. Both are great and appeal to different level of people perceive value. As for accuracy, a good regulate done on Seiko will also able to reach a good accuracy.
Interestingly enough, during Diving School - they would equip us with diving computers. People who buy "Dive" watches, might not necessarily be divers or even go swimming with it. The heart wants what it wants, the term "Dress watch", "Beater watch", "Military watch", "Pilot watch", "Dive watch", "Sports watch", list could go on - YOU decide what you like, and it dictates your style. If you can own it, own it. If you like wearing it, wear it. Just know the reasons, if you wish to please others or yourself? Whether that's a Rolex or a Seiko...or a Lange, it's personal joy. Just like listening to a splendid piece of music or reading poetry, it's about what makes us happy as individuals.
You are wrong if you buy a diver's watch is because you dive, and if you buy a Moonwatch is because you plan to go to the Moon 😜.
@@japd7897 Haha, just like I only wear my Reverso when I play Polo.
Seiko combines everything - style, price, quality and history
I get tired of all the Rolex reviews the last years. I owned a Sub Mariner, Sold it and got a Zenith El Primero. Also own a GS Springdrive and GS 9F. Imo better time keepers than a Rolex. 85% of the Rolex owners use it for status symbol. And i don't buy a watch as an investment, i use my watches.
Some people have Rolex watches strictly as investments. I know Wall St. guys that have 50+ and watch their value like hawks on spreadsheets like on Chrono 24. Some people are collectors like my self, who collect as a hobby. (For FUN). Why not have a hobby where you buy, enjoy the watches, and eventually sell them (at least a ten year wait) for what you paid for them or more? People forget that the “collecting” is the enjoyment of this hobby. So collect what you like is what I say. People have forgotten the FUN part of collecting watches.
@@jameskikuoka4863 James, your name and family name do not match.
@@jameskikuoka4863 yes, because watching your net worth increase while owning multiple items the rest of society are falling over themselves to obtain does not sound like fun at all...😂
For the average person, it's not just about investments, it's about value retention. We don't know what life might throw at us, whether it's a crisis, or just a change of taste in watches. I'd like to know that I could then sell my watch for as much as I paid for it, if not more than. It's the different between "I paid $500/year to wear this watch" versus "I was paid $500/year to wear this watch"
Perfect way to start my Sunday morning.
Coffee, French toast & eggs, watches 👌🏻
Should also compare the SPB143 as well.
I was on a waiting list for a bb 58 and since i got my spb147, i don’t want the Tudor anymore ...
Sorry but it's a pointless comparison. One of those watches can actually be bought and the other can't. Pointless.
I just bought a Seiko 5 (SNK357) for $90 and I still feel guilty 😂
Great watch. I have 2 Seikos. They look lovely, and useful, in places where it may get banged about.
Best of luck with that 7s26 movement. Never worked properly for me, waste of money.
Enjoy it , so long as it doesn't get magnetised (an Ebay demagnetiser sorts that out for next to nothing) they just go on and on. I have a few and they have all been great.
I own a Sub and several Seikos. I think you can love chili dogs and dry-aged, medium rare steaks at the same time without having to pit them against each other.
I will say I rarely worry about my Sub when it’s on the wrist. It’s built like a tank and was made for activity. I mow the lawn with it, take it on hikes and bring it in the water.
You get it.
I think exactly like you. I own a Rolex and a Seiko. I never wear the Seiko.
Really impressed by the lack of bias here. My only question is whether the Seiko would have fared better had it been an SKX rather than the 5KX. Can't imagine any big changes other than the depth rating and cult status.
I have both and the Islander, a version of the SKX supplied by Long Island watches, is a dayly beater. Both are great but Islander 02 on a Crafter blue Rubber strap is what I wear.😎🤔
Just bought a Seiko exactly like the one in this video. I absolutely love it. It is the perfect size, not top heavy like the Seiko Monster is. The bracelet is comfortable. And as for accuracy, the specs may well say -35 to +45 secs a day, but mine has gained exactly one minute in 12 days… +5 secs a day. Awesome. And the best thing? I don’t need to worry about wearing it.
It’s not that you should buy a Rolex, it’s because you can buy a Rolex.
I love your channel… I am a watch enthusiast in the low to mid range cost category as far as watch collecting goes. I have a couple examples of ‘luxury’ ...I have upwards of 30 to 40 at all times of what many would refer to as cheap/beater/throwaways...I love this piece/video...It is honest/forthright and in many ways exposes the weaknesses of watching collecting...Thanks for the great piece!
PS… The new Zenith it’s not a homage of the Daytona😉
Would be interesting in seeing something like this but comparing a Rolex against a similar spec'd watch with an ETA regulated to COSC standards, and sapphire glass. Now that would certainly be an interesting comparison in terms of diminishing returns.
That video would answer a question that we all already know the answer to.
I have this seiko, it's beautiful, you can swim with it (including a water slide) and it's fairly accurate for the price. Left it alone for over a day for the first time and was about 15 seconds off. The offset crown I've fallen in love with and I do wish it was screw down for more security.
Nailed it with it being a personal decision. Could easily sport a custom Seiko with a sub style case and keep the Submariner in the safe until the weekend and increase in value. Picked up the same Seiko but on the nato late last year as a beater. The vibrant modding community has me eager to swap in a sapphire crystal and change the bezel.
I have an Invicta with 300M water resistance that cost me £110 (including VAT and delivery) and is consistently accurate to +1 seconds a day despite having a NH35 movement. It's built like a tank and almost as heavy, but it's the best watch bargain EVER! Rolex watches are for posers and gangsters who like to show off how rich they are.
Noticed the rolex minute hand when it was it 10oclock in macro looked rough on the edge. Surely they can do better for that price.
I’m brand new to the watch game and Im considering the Seiko 5 as my first purchase. Although having a Rolex one day would be nice this video further comforted me about the upcoming inaugural purchase. Thanks
"It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up..." - Ferris
Perfect! Great comment!!!
I have the Seiko!! My brother who is a watch freak has the Rolex. My observations 1. The Seiko has far better lume. 2. It has a day and date. Who doesn't find that handy? 3. 41 hours power reserve is just fine. 4. I won the Seiko lottery with mine, perfectly aligned chapter ring AND. ....+ 2 spd according to our Weishi Timegrapher, (same as my bro's Rolex). 5. I don't have to insure it. 6. I don't care if I scratch it. I can buy 20 more and still spend less than what a Rolex costs! 7. It's really a more attractive watch to look at than a Rolex. (Matter of taste I suppose )And don't get me talking about that disgusting cyclops on some of the models. BTW, my non beater is a newly acquired Grand Seiko SLGHOO5 that cost me more than that Rolex and if you're really worried about missing your train, you definitely won't miss it with a Seiko Spring Drive. 😉 ....and a confession. Yes, I insured the GS.
I find the Seiko more beautiful than the Rolex, especially looking at the design of the hands and the 5-minute indications on the dial. I have a Seiko 5 myself and it runs at an accuracy of +5 seconds a day. The hardlex crystal holds up very well till now. Maybe it is less scratch resistant, but for one Rolex I can buy 25 Seikos, so if an ugly scratch would appear than I will simply buy a new one.
8:07 Now that you've mentioned resale values of seiko...
I am making money with every single Seiko I've purchased
SKX, guigiaro reissue, old padi turtle (air diver) has all been discontinued and gone up to anywhere around 2 to 5 times of the price I've paid for
Although arnie reissue hasn't increased in price, I paid so low for a new one that I'd be making money selling it as a used watch.
On the other hand, I lost 30% on calatrava, 20% on royal oak and 1.5k on speedmaster. I also lost 1k on 114060
Go figure
More Seiko, gets some Tunas in!
Yeah exactly mate. Let’s see him put a Tuna up against the Rolex.
*_Choice #3: Spend £6,000 on a Grand Seiko._* *#4: Spend less than the price of a Seiko and get an Orient Diver.*
Yeah great video!! Would be interested in a similar one comparing the Rolex with the Seiko SPB143. That could be really cruel for Rolex because the Seiko has a cool tool watch factor the Rolex had and has lost.
Yes, a gilt edged investment and a fave with house flippers and speculators .
@@altbinhax the tool watch you’re adraid to scratch because you want to sell it « unworn »
Really enjoy when you explore questions like this, thoughtful and interesting!
I don't think I could enjoy a rolex in the same way I enjoy my budget watches
True say bro keep up the good work
This is an eye opener video. Thanks to this guy for putting it so nicely. My thoughts have matured over the age. I dont think we should think it is stupid for someone to buy the Rolex. I own the Seiko 5. I bought it because I loved it the first time I saw it. Then I saw about it on youtube and found this video. The Seiko is classy and elegant and I bought it because its covered well within my monthly income. So if you are going for the Rolex go for it when that dosent cause a dent in your savings!
Wow man this was such a incredible video and I enjoyed it a lot! Might have to buy a seiko I like it alot!
People automatically assume that accuracy is a benchmark of quality but this is not the case. Its simply that makers like Rolex regulate their watches, whereas the cheaper brands put their movements in unregulated because its an extremely labour intensive time consuming process. If you're prepared to put in that time and effort you can get almost any decent mechanical running to within chronometer spec if you know what you're doing and have the equipment. Amongst others including a couple of Seiko 5's,I've got a £50 Vostok running to within 5 seconds a day.
No offense, but I feel you did these type of videos dozens of time already. Like the pictures though.
Great video as always. I agree with everything you said! I own 2 submariners myself. A 5-digit from my birthyear and a 116610ln. They're not worth the price. Only because of the way they hold value/increases in value on the 2nd hand grey market. But if you took a loss on buying Rolex retail (e.g. Submariners) they would not be cost efficient or value for money whatsoever and I could then NEVER justify buying one.
Absolutely love the way many Rolex models looks. The Explorer 1 & 2, the Sub, Gmt and Daytona in particular. But I am very critical to the brands (Rolex) way of doing business. There is no transparancy, and then there is the "waiting lists" and the grey market situation. It's shady on so many levels. But the watches i absolutely adore. It's the people in charge of Rolex that I have a problem with.
I have a modded skx007 with sapphire and nh35 that is running less than a -1 second a day. It's the watch i wear everyday.
Tenés link para ver el reloj? :)
@@Lukytazcuervo si instagram.com/p/CLpy7dFn7qk/?igshid=1l4jxiry80e9e
I went from the Pepsi version of that Seiko to a BB58 Blue, not quite a Sub but still a huge difference in price.
I didn't really want to let go of the Seiko though but couldn't justify keeping both. Bought it at a discount and sold it for the same price.
Great video as always.
I think is not a good comparation, marinmaster vs submariner would be a little more fair
Decent point, but it’s not supposed to be fair, it’s supposed to be interesting.
@@simonbailey2151 but the problem is he is grabbing one of the cheapest seikos vs one of the medium price rolex, i think a $1k seiko will make his point better
@@MegaMarlon0123 Not necessarily. The whole point was about value, both of the watch and of the watch to the buyer. Having more drastic differences makes this comparison better.
This reminds me of a watch moment I had. Was sitting on the beach at the North Sea, researching end game dives watches (GS, Blaincpain, Glashütte Original, etc.) to buy. Then I looked at the Seiko SKX I was wearing and wondered: Why am I looking for another dive watch? There‘s nothing left to be desired, that this watch does not deliver. So the SKX remains my only diver up to today.
Could you do a review of the Seiko MM300?, Seikos answer to the Submariner👍🏻
Great idea. That’s an awesome watch.
Yeeees, love the marinemaster
I watched your video wearing my Grand Seiko spring drive diver (SBGA229). I found the Seiko had many, but not all, of the same design elements of my GS. The Seiko is certainly an attractive value proposition for many people without regard to affordability. I do not have the new Sport 5 reference but I do have the Seiko Samurai Great White Shark and it is indeed an amazing value proposition for somebody who prefers not to spend a great deal on watch but who wants something that both looks good with decent overall specifications. Watches are a form of self indulgence with a lot of justification based upon the dual mystique of horological value and horological heritage. Your video provides an interesting reality check. Fine work.
This is a pretty useless comparison a much more Relevant comparison would be comparing Rolex to omega, JLC Aand similar watch brands, which probably cost half or less than Rolex and provide a much better value.
It’s not useless at all. It’s about comparing two different philosophies....the point of the video was not to find a better alternative but simply compare and see the advances and disadvantages of both models.
Perhaps you, and the 4 people who liked your comment, ought to watch the video before commenting? :)
Bought one of the bark and jack watch travel boxes , sent to Barcelona very quickly and can highly recommend!
Watch boxes? How many watches/slots did the box have? I'm currently looking for a 10 or 12 watch box. I didn't know B&J sold boxes.
@@michaelhargis7036 it’s the watch travel box ( I’ve edited my comment to reflect this), made of leather.
Thanks a lot Phil 🙌🏻
1:04 Nope... there's the " Submariner " and there's the " Submariner Date " !
Let me guess, there isn’t a Pepsi, a Hulk, a Kermit...
I have a Rolex sub I also have a Seiko 5. The Seiko is my every day beater watch.
I was once given a Breitling, a gift from an uncle. It was one of my prized positions. I wore it every day for every activity. I had it 20 years. Once pin broke while I was running a 10 HP snow thrower. That watch went through the snow thrower and landed 50 feet away. I found it that spring with a broken crystal months after the snow melted. I got it fixed and continued to ware it every day. Years later, I was on a river trip down the Grand Canyon. Again a pin broke and I lost that watch. At least I know someone some where is enjoying. A ugly NATO strap is the way to go.
Today I now enjoy my Rolex sub and while running white water or working I ware my Seiko 5. There is a place for both. I will add my Seiko 5 is a great everyday watch.
In you spend 6k on a Sub it is definitly not stupid. I mean you just made like 3k+ by spending 6k. It sounds like a scam.
My 2018 sub no date I purchased in 2020 set me back 8k.... Better than having it in the bank.
The point is that practically no one is buying a Sub for 6k!
@@nickturner2813 oh dont we know it....
What we need is a unit of happiness (perhaps a smile?) and then a way of figuring out how many smiles a watch gives and then figure out a smile per dollar quotient - a watch stops being worth extra when it keeps demanding money but stops giving more smiles.
Unit of happiness. Love that!
The main sticking point for me is movement accuracy- with cheap autos, I find I’m always checking a digital clock and seeing how inaccurate they’re becoming
The Seiko NH36 is pretty damn accurate
@@impatrickt -45 to +35?? No thank you
@@britannia2129 I have 20+ watches and can barely even tell analog time. I have a phone.
Never thought I'd actually own a watch featured on your channel 👍
11 minutes of my life I’ll never get back
I'd say Orient (Seiko sub brand) would be a better comparison, no misalignment issues and the Mako and Kamasu are both fantastic divers
At the end of the day for 99% of us the main reason is how money we could spend for the watch without our wife make our lives hell :)
I have this exact Seiko and can’t fault it. I set it on the first of the month, have worn it everyday without adjusting the time, and on day 23 is running 4 seconds faster than the computer I set it from.
Should have used an SKX, that Seiko isn’t technically a dive watch.🤷♂️🤷♂️
Why not? If people dive with it, then it's a dive watch.
@@bigmacdaddy1234 No, if it doesn’t meet the ISO standard it isn’t a dive watch, those include a 200m water resistance and a screw down crown. By your logic if one dives in a tuxedo it’s a wet suit.😂😂
@@bigmacdaddy1234 if I dive with an old Ingersoll, that doesn't make it a dive watch
@@Fexitol Why not? If it can handle the dive then it's a dive watch.
@@davidcallan7844 Nobody gives a crap about the ISO standard. Divers use a computerized dive watch as their lives depend on it and it offers so much more than what ISO is calling for. For your little swim at the beach any watch will do.
You could have picked several other watches with pretty much same specs as Rolex for around $300 which would be a better comparison to demonstrate that all your paying for is brand and advertising. Outside of macro shots (which doesn't matter unless you're running around wearing a loop), there is NO way you can logically end up explaining the cost of a Rolex. Just say, "I like the attention I get wearing a rolex." And accuracy... I've got cheap nh35s running Rolex numbers after 5 min of regulating myself. He'll, Vostok movements are notorious for running +/- 2 sec.
Buy an Orient watch instead of that Seiko 5. You will be much happier.
The battle of shtters 🙈
Rolex has been very good at marketing its brand as a luxury timepiece. That's all it is.
The wait time to actually get a watch from an AD, their slow process to make one, that's on purpose to sell the illusion you're getting something no other brand can offer you. It's the same tactic used by Apple, people think iPhones are top of the food chain in smartphone technology. (spoiler alert: they're not.)
In business school, one of the very first things you learn is that a watch such as that Rolex doesn't cost £6,000 because Rolex says so, it costs £6,000 because that's the value the customer agrees to pay for it. If everyone were to stop buying Submariners, the price has to drop. If by some strange reason people decided to not pay the suggested price anymore, Rolex would have to roll back to price their watches according to how they used to sell them as: tool watches and not luxury watches. Like it or not, Rolex is not at the king of the jungle, it's barely the gateway drug into the luxury watch world. Remove the marketing aspect of Rolex and you have a regular watch company.
And don't get me started on the "heritage" argument. If you pass down a Rolex or a Seiko, that watch no matter what brand it is, is priceless.
👍🏻love them both equally
Lol
To me a Seiko IS a luxury watch. Even if I had the money to buy a Rolex I wouldn't buy one. Here are my reasons why:
1) I'd be too afraid to wear it in public for fear of it being damaged or stolen from me.
2) I find watches like that to be narcissistic. What are you trying to tell people other than you have money?
3) Other people don't care what watch you wear.
4) The time on a Rolex is no different to the time on a Seiko.
5) With the money I buy on a Seiko I could buy a car or a holiday
6) I just prefer Seiko to Rolex.
Look, let me defend Seiko here. If you can’t afford an original Van Gogh, of course you should get a picture of a Van Gogh, frame it, and put it up on a wall. That’s what Seiko is for: cheap, affordable fun for the masses who aren’t fortunate enough to afford any better. What’s wrong with that? After all, if Jethro and Ellie May can have a ‘cement pond’, why can’t everybody?
Thats not seiko thats knockoffs. Seiko is like buying your local starving artist’s work instead
I have just recieved new automatic watch from China,that I bought by aliexpress ,this watch named BODERRY, titanium case, skeleton mechanical watch ,sapphire crystal,, 72hour power reserve, Hangzhou movement, so comfortable, and works so good.... I am so happy to have this wonderful watch, and it is not expensive, only 143 euros... .. Believe me,quality and design is very very good .