New Seiko Presage with Spring Drive Movt

[danicasi2002]

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/se...l-spring-drive

What do you guys think? Marrying the SD movement with a watch model line noted for fine enamel dials.

[1William]

I like them and I think they may already be out in some AD's. The price point is in the never, never land for Seiko. Too much for most and not enough for some others who want the watches to be exclusive. I will give them a look when my AD gets them but I doubt I would buy one. The dials are amazing though.

[Txkill]

I actually really like them. The dials are great. I’m excited to see it in person though for final judgment.


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[JR16]

While I do like them, again need to question seiko’s brand strategy. The price point of expensive Presage pieces is too close to grand seiko, and i think the whole presage line as-is, is detracting from grand seiko’s attempt at grabbing more US market share. And now a movement they has more or less been reserved for grand seiko , is in “regular” seiko... too confusing. I don’t see presage selling well in the masses in the US - “is it just a fancy seiko? But I can get one at Macy’s for $300”. I suspect this is what a lot of non WIS will say. I have similar concerns about the prospex LX line.


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[benlee]

Originally Posted by JR16

While I do like them, again need to question seiko’s brand strategy. The price point of expensive Presage pieces is too close to grand seiko, and i think the whole presage line as-is, is detracting from grand seiko’s attempt at grabbing more US market share. And now a movement they has more or less been reserved for grand seiko , is in “regular” seiko... too confusing. I don’t see presage selling well in the masses in the US - “is it just a fancy seiko? But I can get one at Macy’s for $300”. I suspect this is what a lot of non WIS will say. I have similar concerns about the prospex LX line.


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Yes I agree it's confusing. While Seiko's earlier declared strategy is to clearly
distinguish the two brands between Seiko and Grand Seiko, doing so means creating more over-lapping. Already we are seeing Zaratsu polishing and GS's movement like spring drive start to appear in Seiko products. Doing so end up hurting both, being to priced out Seiko watches while diluting the Grand Seiko appeal. The special characteristics of Grand Seiko such as Zaratsu polishing and the higher end movments should remain Grand Seiko.

[danicasi2002]

Originally Posted by JR16

While I do like them, again need to question seiko’s brand strategy. The price point of expensive Presage pieces is too close to grand seiko, and i think the whole presage line as-is, is detracting from grand seiko’s attempt at grabbing more US market share. And now a movement they has more or less been reserved for grand seiko , is in “regular” seiko... too confusing. I don’t see presage selling well in the masses in the US - “is it just a fancy seiko? But I can get one at Macy’s for $300”. I suspect this is what a lot of non WIS will say. I have similar concerns about the prospex LX line.


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I am not an ardent follower of the Seiko brand, only have a couple of Spring Drives (SD) as I am techno addict. But I kinda have the same question. I do like the combination of porcelain or enamel dial with SD. Instead of bringing the SD to the Presage, what not keep the SD in the GS + Credor line and bring the porcelain dial instead to either line (which I would find elegant: ... or has this been done before). Recall that the first line of SD movt were in the Seiko line not GS. After that line, they never (until now) introduced the SD in Seiko line.

http://fr.worldtempus.com/article/se...drive-451.html

[Cru Jones]

I don’t get wrapped up in “brand strategy”.... I’m here to enjoy the watch. ;-)

As for this one, while I like the idea of an enamel dial with Spring Drive, the overall package is a bit confusing for me: I think of Spring Drive as being a modern movement, but this model’s dial font and hands are rather traditional, so this mismatch doesn’t work for me.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I don’t get wrapped up in “brand strategy”.... I’m here to enjoy the watch. ;-)

As for this one, while I like the idea of an enamel dial with Spring Drive, the overall package is a bit confusing for me: I think of Spring Drive as being a modern movement, but this model’s dial font and hands are rather traditional, so this mismatch doesn’t work for me.

I agree on both points.

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I think of Spring Drive as being a modern movement, but this model’s dial font and hands are rather traditional, so this mismatch doesn’t work for me.

I never thought about that and now that it has been pointed out, I tend to agree.

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by danicasi2002

I am not an ardent follower of the Seiko brand, only have a couple of Spring Drives (SD) as I am techno addict. But I kinda have the same question. I do like the combination of porcelain or enamel dial with SD. Instead of bringing the SD to the Presage, what not keep the SD in the GS + Credor line and bring the porcelain dial instead to either line (which I would find elegant: ... or has this been done before). Recall that the first line of SD movt were in the Seiko line not GS. After that line, they never (until now) introduced the SD in Seiko line.

http://fr.worldtempus.com/article/se...drive-451.html

The first automatic Spring Drive movement, the 5R65, has been used a numerous Seiko models.
The original International models SNR001-003, Ananta, Prospex Marinemaster, Spacewalk, Landmaster, and Galante.
All Grand Seikos use 9R series, which are exactly the same, only more decorated on the bridges and rotor.