Seiko Opinions Daily Beater Watch

Was hoping to get some opinions on this Seiko watch. I am looking to use it as a daily beater watch(not worried about damaging it). I know it is quartz movement which is a downer, but I can't seem to find an automatic that I like the design as much for a daily beater in the price range.

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Wat...4/product.html

I am a big believer in if you like it, buy it. But I am curious of why this "pilot" watch interests people so. As a professional pilot, it's jut something that doesn't interest me in the slightest, not having any need for all those "features".

We seasoned aviators (read old) recognize the only people who wear such a watch are "junior birdmen". Not a slur mind you, it's just what we call the younger aviators who go into our filed with wide eyed enthusiam and proud of their profession often looking forward to flying the big iron, not quite understanding the jaded look and thoughtful processes of someone who has taken a bullet or two and has 30,000 hours behind them.....

If you are youthful and full of "p*ss and vinegar ", then by all means, go for it. But understand that they are marketing a hollywood drama. All a pilot needs is a depedable watch that will tell him when the "12 hour rule" (12 hours from bottle to throttle) takes into affect.

Originally Posted by flylot74

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I am a big believer in if you like it, buy it. But I am curious of why this "pilot" watch interests people so. As a professional pilot, it's jut something that doesn't interest me in the slightest, not having any need for all those "features".

We seasoned aviators (read old) recognize the only people who wear such a watch are "junior birdmen". Not a slur mind you, it's just what we call the younger aviators who go into our filed with wide eyed enthusiam and proud of their profession often looking forward to flying the big iron, not quite understanding the jaded look and thoughtful processes of someone who has taken a bullet or two and has 30,000 hours behind them.....

If you are youthful and full of "p*ss and vinegar ", then by all means, go for it. But understand that they are marketing a hollywood drama. All a pilot needs is a depedable watch that will tell him when the "12 hour rule" (12 hours from bottle to throttle) takes into affect.


Thank you very much for the reply. I am on the more youthful end of the spectrum. I am not a pilot; I am just attracted to the watch for pure aesthetic reasons.

On the other hand I don't want to piss away $250. I guess I am trying to decide if I should hold off a couple of months and purchase a decent vintage chronograph for $500-700 or just go ahead and grab this one on the cheap.

Originally Posted by kali77

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Was hoping to get some opinions on this Seiko watch. I am looking to use it as a daily beater watch(not worried about damaging it). I know it is quartz movement which is a downer, but I can't seem to find an automatic that I like the design as much for a daily beater in the price range.

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Wat...4/product.html

I'm not a fan at all, especially at $250 - whatever Overstock discount of the day there mgiht be. For aviator/military influenced watches in this price range, I'd much prefer any of the below:

Seiko 5 Aviator / Military


Archimede Pilot


Poljot Aviator Handwind


Or if you must have a chronograph:

Poljot Shturmanskie


Citizen Eco-Drive 2100


Hamilton Khaki Chrono (a bit out of your price range, however)


Photos courtesy of PMWF and member nastyandy's collection

FWIW, I have considered buying all of the above watches at some point over the last 6 months (too much exposure to TZ, PMWF, and SF apparently ), and eventually found a good deal on a Poljot handwind.

Also, Seiko Bullhead Chrono (vintage model, only available through eBay)

Whacked,

Thank you very much. Exactly the info I was looking for. I think I need to go spend some time over at the watch forums and do a little research.

Originally Posted by whacked

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FWIW, I have considered buying all of the above watches at some point over the last 6 months (too much exposure to TZ, PMWF, and SF apparently

), and eventually found a good deal on a Poljot handwind.

Also, Seiko Bullhead Chrono (vintage model, only available through eBay)

Let me know if you ever want to sell the blue bullhead.

Originally Posted by kali77

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Thank you very much for the reply. I am on the more youthful end of the spectrum. I am not a pilot; I am just attracted to the watch for pure aesthetic reasons.

On the other hand I don't want to piss away $250. I guess I am trying to decide if I should hold off a couple of months and purchase a decent vintage chronograph for $500-700 or just go ahead and grab this one on the cheap.

OK, I think I got it. My $ .02 now: for a beater get a TIMEX. Save your money and I mean really save your money and get that esthetically pleasing watch that you really want, for an aviator watch, even an old guy can appreciate an original vintage Breitling, the history of those old watches any aviator can appreciate. The old PanAm "clipper skippers" wore them, what history! Or something equally as pleasing and valuable.

Defer gratification and you will have a watch that not only you will be proud of but will probably appreciate in value over time. Don't spend $250 now, INVEST in $1,000+ later. I know it's hard, immediate gratification is so much more easy, but years later you will feel hollow and wished you had done it differently. Take it from a guy that has made a lifetime of mistakes....... don't just settle for "something"..... save for what you really want.

Originally Posted by flylot74

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OK, I think I got it. My $ .02 now: for a beater get a TIMEX. Save your money and I mean really save your money and get that esthetically pleasing watch that you really want, for an aviator watch, even an old guy can appreciate an original vintage Breitling, the history of those old watches any aviator can appreciate. The old PanAm "clipper skippers" wore them, what history! Or something equally as pleasing and valuable.

Defer gratification and you will have a watch that not only you will be proud of but will probably appreciate in value over time. Don't spend $250 now, INVEST in $1,000+ later. I know it's hard, immediate gratification is so much more easy, but years later you will feel hollow and wished you had done it differently. Take it from a guy that has made a lifetime of mistakes....... don't just settle for "something"..... save for what you really want.

This is very sound advice, and I agree completely. I have been looking at some of the vintage Breitling's and drooling. I think I will hold off a few months and try to grab something more substantial.

Can anyone recommend any reputable on-line vintage watch dealers??

Don't know of any dealers but I do know of one "sort of" forum: http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php...rm_id=85&rid=0 I didn't realize it until recently, my watch is now considered "vintage" (I guess I'm considered that as well) having bought my Rolex after returning from Southeast Asia, back in 1971.......

Love those bullheads, I looked for them for ages on ebay but I couldn't find one in great condition at a good price. Check this place out, tons of seiko watches so you can see the variety of models, flightmaster, divers, and 5 series at decent prices. You can also check ebay, got my monster sieko on there for a steal. http://www.pmwf.com/Watches/WATCHSAL...SalesTable.htm http://www.pmwf.com/Watches/WATCHSAL...SalesTable.htm

Hi all, great to see the support for Seiko's, an underappreciated brand somewhat through their own fault in producing so much junk. But the automatics and the more restrained designs rule. Here are two resources you should check out,

http://www.higuchi-inc.com/index-e.html

http://www.roachman.com/watches.html

I've purchased from both and the service is trustworthy and quick.

Here are some of the vintage Seiko automatics I've collected.

Originally Posted by whacked

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Archimede Pilot

Poljot Aviator Handwind

i love this archimede and poljot. these are automatic and 250 dollars? where can you find these, on overstock you mean?
thanks

Originally Posted by shoe

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i love this archimede and poljot. these are automatic and 250 dollars? where can you find these, on overstock you mean?
thanks

The exact Poljot model is available here for $130 + whatever S&H charge. No first hand experience so you might want to do a research before buying.

Street price for the Archimede Pilot is more like $400 though; used ones pop up on TZ/PMWF from time to time for ~$330. Sorry I wasn't clear enough.

I like the look of the Aviator but cannot find it anywhere online other than on some dodgy looking Argentinian websites ... any ideas on where it can be found?

Originally Posted by whacked

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Seiko 5 Aviator / Military