Leaving Rolex for... Seiko? Thoughts Please

[lucevan le stelle]

I know that this a Rolex forum, and yes, I do love my Rolex models, but this SS scarcity thing and waiting list hysteria/hype is getting me down. Plus I think Rolex really wants to push me and others into PMs, which ticks me off as a customer and enthusiast. My AD offers little consolation or future hope, and my plan was to add 1-2 watches a year for the next three. Not exclusively Rolex. Will not do greys, don't want the hassle of vintage Rolex provenance or frankens, and am not one of the "investors" and speculators that seem to have unfortunately found this site. Simply a watch guy.

Have always had Seikos, as I only want in-house, but wondering if any members here have found happiness and fulfillment going completely Seiko while holding on to their current Rolexes? Like that they are available, when I want to buy.

Thoughts, comments?

[Fleetlord]

No. Only get the Seiko's after you get the Rolex you want.

If you WANT a Rolex, there is no substitute.

The only compromise you should make is how you source the Rolex, not in getting another brand out of capitualtion. Then you will be settling and that is unacceptable.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

No. Only get the Seiko's after you get the Rolex you want.

If you WANT a Rolex, there is no substitute.

The only compromise you should make is how you source the Rolex, not in getting another brand out of capitualtion. Then you will be settling and that is unacceptable.

Exactly...

[lucevan le stelle]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

No. Only get the Seiko's after you get the Rolex you want.

If you WANT a Rolex, there is no substitute.

The only compromise you should make is how you source the Rolex, not in getting another brand out of capitualtion. Then you will be settling and that is unacceptable.

OK, but my question to you is whether you still get the same sense of excitement or gratification in buying one these days like your did with your first and second? Do you find that this deliberate scarcity and for the most part "I-am-doing-you-a-favor" sales experience has tarnished it a little too much or detracts from your enjoyment?

[Stevec14]

I like having variety. I now only have one Rolex and have given up getting anything new as I don’t spend the kind of bucks that necessarily gets you up the list and as usual I like the ones everyone else does. Is one of the reasons why I am more of an omega person these days. I have a good local ad, who can get me what I want within reason (not that I fancied much from Basel this year).

I’ve just bought my first Seiko, and have to say I’m very impressed given I could have bought 20 of what I did for a sub (obvs they are in different leagues).Would I go exclusively Seiko. Maybe not, but I think they make a very good value watch that is a good one for anybodies collection.

[Jp28]

Originally Posted by Stevec14

I’ve just bought my first Seiko, and have to say I’m very impressed given I could have bought 20 of what I did for a sub (obvs they are in different leagues).Would I go exclusively Seiko. Maybe not, but I think they make a very good value watch that is a good one for anybodies collection.

Have also bought one (and then a few more....) recently and have the same thoughts. Also at a lot of their price points you can flip/mod etc and nothing costs too much (relatively).
Try a few out.

[pickettt]

I wouldn't say leaving one for the other. At the risk of getting flamed, I say that I'm growing up and out of Rolex and into Grand Seiko. Not because of availability issues, I just believe Grand Seiko to be a better watch.

[the_natural]

Originally Posted by pickettt

I wouldn't say leaving one for the other. At the risk of getting flamed, I say that I'm growing up and out of Rolex and into Grand Seiko. Not because of availability issues, I just believe Grand Seiko to be a better watch.

I'm totally with you. Totally.

[Takonwong]

Originally Posted by pickettt

I wouldn't say leaving one for the other. At the risk of getting flamed, I say that I'm growing up and out of Rolex and into Grand Seiko. Not because of availability issues, I just believe Grand Seiko to be a better watch.

I would like to know if this is a recent phenomenon with members. "Leaving Rolex" for other brands?
I used to be in the mainly Rolex boat but having owned most of the different models you grow a bit bored of same look, also the scarcity of them leading to frustration at not being able to buy the ones I like and the snobbery of some of the ADs I have encountered led to me looking and discovering other watches. I'm not loyal to any brand but pound for pound GS is hard to beat IF you like the style and look. I don't currently have any Rolex and am considering adding a black dial GMT springdrive to the Snowflake.

The great thing about other brands is that I can go into an AD, hold and try on the watch! The only Rolex I would buy right now (from AD if ever possible) is the 116610LV because of the colour!

[Aventura]

I have sold a Sub. and I'm going to move on to Seiko. I really had tired of having variations of minutes per month and after not using them for a little more than a day it stopped and had to be put back to work again. I am going to choose a quartz model and with the advantage that it is also a chronograph.
Also this SS scarcity thing and waiting list hysteria / hype is getting me down. And more realizing that they are all things invented to create need and most people do not realize that they are being deceived.
And above I will use 2% of the capital that I recovered with the sale of my Rolex.
Greetings.

[Old Expat Beast]

There was a time, from the late 60s to the mid 70s, when Seiko was matching and even outdoing Rolex and other Swiss brands in terms of evolving movement development and (in my opinion) case design, with their Hi-Beat Grand Seiko and even King Seiko lines. That’s where my interest currently lies, and will probably remain, as long as I can collect four or five of those in great condition, still keeping great time, for the price of a similar-vintage, and very average Datejust.

I’ll always have Rolex and Tudor in the collection, both vintage and old, but probably won’t be buying any more, at least while they’re so overpriced and/or hard to get.

[lucevan le stelle]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

There was a time, from the late 60s to the mid 70s, when Seiko was matching and even outdoing Rolex and other Swiss brands in terms of evolving movement development and (in my opinion) case design, with their Hi-Beat Grand Seiko and even King Seiko lines. That’s where my interest currently lies, and will probably remain, as long as I can collect four or five of those in great condition, still keeping great time, for the price of a similar-vintage, and very average Datejust.

I’ll always have Rolex and Tudor in the collection, both vintage and old, but probably won’t be buying any more, at least while they’re so overpriced and/or hard to get.

Like your game plan Adam! From the watches I have seen you post here the quality and aesthetics of what you focus on are second to none and would be quite satisfying for me. I will see how it goes with acquiring one more new Rolex and then decide if I abandon buying new Rolex models all together.

[Lol-x]

You might say that you have 'evolved' towards Seiko, but you never know what tomorrow brings.

Rolex are still my No.1 but Seiko still has a very strong foothold on what I like to wear.

The two brands are not mutually exclusive, so I don't think its ever a case of leaving one brand for another.

[benlee]

Originally Posted by lucevan le stelle

I know that this a Rolex forum, and yes, I do love my Rolex models, but this SS scarcity thing and waiting list hysteria/hype is getting me down. Plus I think Rolex really wants to push me and others into PMs, which ticks me off as a customer and enthusiast. My AD offers little consolation or future hope, and my plan was to add 1-2 watches a year for the next three. Not exclusively Rolex. Will not do greys, don't want the hassle of vintage Rolex provenance or frankens, and am not one of the "investors" and speculators that seem to have unfortunately found this site. Simply a watch guy.

Have always had Seikos, as I only want in-house, but wondering if any members here have found happiness and fulfillment going completely Seiko while holding on to their current Rolexes? Like that they are available, when I want to buy.

Thoughts, comments?

I love both brands. They are different and both have qualities, and are not a direct replacement of one over another. However, if I am not able to get hold of the Rolex I want, I won't mind going for Seiko instead, especially Grand Seiko.

IMO, Grand Seiko finishing is above Rolex easily. Their movement are inhouse and are of great accuracy. The springdrive movement especially is unique and without compare. What Rolex has over GS is marketing, brand cache and resale value.

[oldman2005]

I think this is a great time to get other watches you also want but you've devoted much time and resources for Rolex. So while waiting for your Rolex just get other watches that you love to have.

For me, I don't see my chance of getting my next Rolex which is a Pepsi in the next 10 years, so instead of sitting around twitching my fingers waiting that phone call from AD for 10 years, I take this time to buy other watches I always wanted and those Grand Seiko look awesome to me too :). I myself pre-ordered a 1018 Seiko Limited Edition diver and also thought about pre-ordering a GS Limited Edition too.

[77T]

If you want to impress passers-by, it’s a Rolex you must have...

If you want to know the correct time, Seiko...(quartz, of course).


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[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by 77T

If you want to impress passers-by, it’s a Rolex you must have...

If you want to know the correct time, Seiko...(quartz, of course).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Or Hi-Beat 36000, or Spring Drive

[jdmi32]

Love my Seiko watches and as a matter of fact they have been dominating my rotation as of late. But I doubt I will every completly stop trying to add to my Rolex lineup.

[denmanproject]

Originally Posted by jdmi32

Love my Seiko watches and as a matter of fact they have been dominating my rotation as of late. But I doubt I will every completly stop trying to add to my Rolex lineup.

+1

[Ichiran]

I currently do not own any Rolex watch, sold the last one (a BLNR) 1 year ago and that was it.

Currently on the lookout for the right GS. I'm considering the Snowflake and the peacock.

Realized that I have been subconsciously spending more time in this sub-forum than the Rolex one. Great to see many enthusiasts here

[CMJ]

I own a SS Daytona and a AP chrono. After much admiring from a far I have purchased my first Seiko Marine master MM300. I already know this is going to get more wrist time than my other two watches and maybe the first of many seikos. Swiss prices have made watch collecting as a hobby almost unattainable for the average “doing ok” kind of guy.

[rhairman]

I think if you want to buy a Rolex, just buy a Rolex
If you want a good watch, there are many brands with good products out there (besides Rolex).....including Grand Seiko...

[Rolexavidfan]

I wouldn’t leave Rolex for GS. While GS has some great timepiece models, Rolex has more provenance on their watch even after “modernizing” their staples. Both brands can do-exist in your collection.

In my case, Daytona and Hulk plus the GS Snowflake. They complement each other.


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[psv]

I'm sorry but Seiko simply doesn't do it for me, much like Omega. Don't get me wrong, they make high quality watches but somehow it doesn't feel as special to own/wear.

[karmatp]

I love wearing Seiko divers as beaters. I have my nice watches and I have one Seiko SRP diver. I find myself looking forward to wearing my Seiko just as much as my watches that cost many thousands more.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by karmatp

I love wearing Seiko divers as beaters. I have my nice watches and I have one Seiko SRP diver. I find myself looking forward to wearing my Seiko just as much as my watches that cost many thousands more.

^This. But my Seiko collection includes vintage to modern. All work exceedingly well and are a joy to wear.
dP

[lucevan le stelle]

Originally Posted by karmatp

I love wearing Seiko divers as beaters. I have my nice watches and I have one Seiko SRP diver. I find myself looking forward to wearing my Seiko just as much as my watches that cost many thousands more.

Have a Turtle, SKX, and several JDM model dress watches, my focus was more on going for GS and higher level vintage Seiko.

Agree, the watches for what they cost are well made and fairly durable. Think I will always go a Japanese watch first under or at 2k.

[Jay (Eire)]

For me it's not an either or choice. I own both brands, although For both Rolex and GS I own only one modern watch from each (the GS is a reissue so not exactly the modern GS design and styling).

Re GS I find the modern pieces to be somewhat cold, lacking a little in the design language that I see in many of the vintage pieces. For that reason my eye always wanders towards vintage despite my continued search for a modern GS to love!

All that said, if you want a Rolex get the Rolex. Don't be kidding yourself that the mind can govern the heart on these things.

[collarcity]

As an owner of two quartz Grand Seikos and both a Polar 16570 and 14060M, I can tell you that I'd be happier owning the Seikos exclusively as opposed to only the Rolexes.

But having both is REALLY nice. My favorite brands by far. My advice would be to keep at least one Rolex to scratch that itch and go deep into Seiko if that's what's calling you!

[Speed]

Originally Posted by lucevan le stelle

I know that this a Rolex forum, and yes, I do love my Rolex models, but this SS scarcity thing and waiting list hysteria/hype is getting me down. Plus I think Rolex really wants to push me and others into PMs, which ticks me off as a customer and enthusiast. My AD offers little consolation or future hope, and my plan was to add 1-2 watches a year for the next three. Not exclusively Rolex. Will not do greys, don't want the hassle of vintage Rolex provenance or frankens, and am not one of the "investors" and speculators that seem to have unfortunately found this site. Simply a watch guy.



Have always had Seikos, as I only want in-house, but wondering if any members here have found happiness and fulfillment going completely Seiko while holding on to their current Rolexes? Like that they are available, when I want to buy.



Thoughts, comments?

It’s not a zero sum game IMO.

However, I have ZERO interests in any new Rolex. ZERO.

So the decision is easy. Going forward, I buy what I like. Seiko, or any number of brands.