Seiko Ownership Experience? Any Quality Issues?

[benlee]

Hi guys,

Recently, while browsing youtube, I noticed a seemingly surge in negative coverage of Seiko watches on youtube, in particular by watch bloggers, namely that the watches are not as reliable / accurate and requiring frequent repairs.

Just for example :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AECvLkoN_DI

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNKmlFQJn3w

Now, I am not sure about the accuracy of these reports, and it appears most assertion are rather circumstantial, so I am taking these videos with a grain of salt. Nevertheless I am curious if this is the experience of Seiko owners here? Personally i have 12 Seikos ( 4 of which are grand seikos ) and have not experience any problems. Since I rotate my watches regularly, I have not been able to notice or observe any significant accuracy issues but none has broken down yet. About the only problem I ever had was a faulty clasp on my SBGR305 but that was fixed by Seiko under warranty.

How was your ownership experience so far?

[pickettt]

Six Seikos; so far, accuracy exceeds their stated specifications on all six. The only quality issue I’ve come across was a rough screw down crown. I put some dental floss wax on it at the suggestion of a TRF member, now it’s great. Not one other problem thus far.

[Locust]

I have 10. No problems

[Pongster]

No problems so far

[Centron]

I got outta the seikos I had for quality issues. I think I’m done with the brand, and dumping money into them. All the modding to be done (sapphire, ceramic bezel, new straps or bracelets, signed crowns, movement regulation) to get a watch it should be from the factory in the first place is a real turn off. Not to mention someone who can do do the mods, regulation and source the parts competently and in a reasonable time frame is frustrating.
Also, Seikos higher end $$$$ mechanical movements are no more accurate then the basic mechanical movements in many instances. Seikos customer service for North America is rather lacking and a hassle.

[Locust]

Originally Posted by Centron

I got outta the seikos I had for quality issues. I think I’m done with the brand. All the modding to be done( sapphire, ceramic bezel, new straps or bracelets, signed crowns) to get a watch it should be from the factory in the first place is a real turn off.

Totally invalid argument. Higher end seikos use sapphire crystals, ceramic, etc. not talking about GS. Normal seiko. You can’t expect ceramic on a $400 turtle. Part of the appeal of the brand is the range. But plenty presage, and higher end prospex use higher end materials

[Jamie1111]

Originally Posted by Locust

Totally invalid argument. Higher end seikos use sapphire crystals, ceramic, etc. not talking about GS. Normal seiko. You can’t expect ceramic on a $400 turtle. Part of the appeal of the brand is the range. But plenty presage, and higher end prospex use higher end materials

Presage and prospex autos are +\- 30-45 seconds a day.


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[daveathall]

Originally Posted by Jamie1111

Presage and prospex autos are +\- 30-45 seconds a day.

Only one of my Seiko's have come straight from the box with more than single digit +/- and that was +10 seconds straight from the box. For a £340 watch I was more than pleased with that performance. It has settled down after a couple of weeks regular wear and is between 5 and 6 seconds fast a day.

It was this one.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by daveathall

Only one of my Seiko's have come straight from the box with more than single digit +/- and that was +10 seconds straight from the box. For a £340 watch I was more than pleased with that performance. It has settled down after a couple of weeks regular wear and is between 5 and 6 seconds fast a day.

It was this one.

That’s really an outstanding photo Dave

[Jamie1111]

Originally Posted by daveathall

Only one of my Seiko's have come straight from the box with more than single digit +/- and that was +10 seconds straight from the box. For a £340 watch I was more than pleased with that performance. It has settled down after a couple of weeks regular wear and is between 5 and 6 seconds fast a day.

It was this one.

That is outstanding, seiko rates it +/- 35-45 seconds a day. You got very lucky with your movement




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[Locust]

Originally Posted by Jamie1111

Presage and prospex autos are +\- 30-45 seconds a day.


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LOL, so we're just making stuff up now. Ok.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Locust

LOL, so we're just making stuff up now. Ok.

Right?

[Jamie1111]

Originally Posted by Locust

LOL, so we're just making stuff up now. Ok.

No, that’s info according to seiko...



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[denmanproject]

Originally Posted by Jamie1111

Presage and prospex autos are +\- 30-45 seconds a day.


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[mgsooner]

Originally Posted by Centron

I got outta the seikos I had for quality issues. I think I’m done with the brand, and dumping money into them. All the modding to be done (sapphire, ceramic bezel, new straps or bracelets, signed crowns, movement regulation) to get a watch it should be from the factory in the first place is a real turn off. Not to mention someone who can do do the mods, regulation and source the parts competently and in a reasonable time frame is frustrating.
Also, Seikos higher end $$$$ mechanical movements are no more accurate then the basic mechanical movements in many instances. Seikos customer service for North America is rather lacking and a hassle.

I’m not sure the hassle of modding a product to be something it’s not falls under “quality issues.” I do agree, as many do, that Seiko needs to step it up in terms of their movements - particularly as you move up in price point.

[MSchu]

there are always quality and service related issues associated with ANY manufacturer... I read about Seiko related issues all the time. In terms of ownership numbers though, I think it's fairly small percentage as the internet exposure tends to skew to a larger footprint than real world would suggest.

I personally have not had a single issue to date... knock on wood.

[Old Expat Beast]

Never had a problem or any disappointments with Seiko.

[gnuyork]

Bought my first Seiko (other than vintage) a little over a month ago, an SRP 777 - so far so good. Last I checked it was about +7 secs...

I wear it daily since, and dip it in the ocean at least 3 times a week. No issues. I am more satisfied with this watch than I expected to be.

[hdrazor251]

Six and no issues.

[1William]

I have watches from GS and Seiko and have had no issues. The accuracy is spot on for GS and the standard Seiko's do just fine for $300-$1000 watches. I think a lot has to do with expectations. And Seiko meets mine. I typically like things for what they are not what they are not.

[Jamie1111]

Been done with seiko for a while now. My little brother enjoys them now. They’re cheap, but very bad timekeepers. (The sub $1000AUD range.)


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[JR16]

I don’t buy sub-$1000 seikos for the timekeeping attributes since they pale in comparison compared to GS or more expensive Swiss / German watches/movements ... once you get past that it’s all good


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[Old Expat Beast]

My SKX and my Turtle both run within 3-4 secs/day. Some will be way outside that but all can be simply regulated to those kind of numbers.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

My SKX and my Turtle both run within 3-4 secs/day. Some will be way outside that but all can be simply regulated to those kind of numbers.

Mines around +8 on my 009, which i think is very reasonable given the price.


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[Syed117]

I need to check accuracy, but none of mine have ever been slow or fast to a degree that would bother me.

The only issue I have have ever had is the chapter ring on one of my turtles. Slightly off, but it doesn't bother me too much.

[Headshrinker]

Got a Seiko 5 for volunteering as an EMT, keeps great time and I have no issues other than the run time for an automatic. I should have gotten a quartz movement as my watch cannot be off the wrist for more a day or so.

[benlee]

Thanks guys for the feedback. Looks like these cases were isolated incidents. I agree with the comment that to expect sub-1000 time piece to have chronometer performance might be asking too much. Although I still expect them to run well for years without issues,

[Preacher]

My SKX013 all of a sudden started to run a couple of hours fast per day. I gave it a good firm tap on its side and it fixed itself. No other issues.

[rudestew]

No problems , skx srp and sbdx all good honest watches , great for gardening , drinking beer riding bikes , zip lines and walking dogs .

[joyfultrade]

Never had a problem