Budget Watch Help

[speedster.8]

I really like the new SEIKO. Have wanted a GS for some time. But must admit to having a hard time convincing my self of spending 5K. Found these nice reviews: http://yeomanseiko.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!3318BA07329CD633!999.entry http://mob.watchprosite.com/show-for...ti-405286/s-0/ I must admit I will need to investigate this further, thanks. Speed

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by sartort

i get the sense the stowa might lie a little flatter on the wrist than the seiko? can anyone comment on this?

The Antea is very flat.

 

[cvac]

I voted for the Seiko, b/c I think it looks the best. However, I really don't like that it doesn't come with a sapphire crystal. Could you have it upgraded? I'm guessing "hardlex" is some type of mineral crystal and if that is true, the curved crystal will definitely get scratched at some point from normal use. Personally, I would look for a watch with a flat, sapphire crystal. I've had a quartz Tissot with this feature for about 10 years and have never had a scratch despite hard wear and having the thing on my wrist every single day.

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by cvac

I voted for the Seiko, b/c I think it looks the best. However, I really don't like that it doesn't come with a sapphire crystal. Could you have it upgraded? I'm guessing "hardlex" is some type of mineral crystal and if that is true, the curved crystal will definitely get scratched at some point from normal use. Personally, I would look for a watch with a flat, sapphire crystal. I've had a quartz Tissot with this feature for about 10 years and have never had a scratch despite hard wear and having the thing on my wrist every single day.

Hardflex is very resilient. Plus it will not shatter the way sapphire will upon hard impact.
I am sure you could have someone fit sapphire on it though.

 

[whacked]

Originally Posted by cvac

However, I really don't like that it doesn't come with a sapphire crystal. Could you have it upgraded? I'm guessing "hardlex" is some type of mineral crystal and if that is true, the curved crystal will definitely get scratched at some point from normal use. Personally, I would look for a watch with a flat, sapphire crystal. I've had a quartz Tissot with this feature for about 10 years and have never had a scratch despite hard wear and having the thing on my wrist every single day.

"Hardlex" is Seiko in-house brand of hardened crystal. It comes in a few varieties, all of which are vastly improved over regular mineral crystal.

On the hardlex vs. sapphire debate: there's no clear answer; it depends on what you want / your lifestyle really. Sapphire does have a significant strength as you said: it is very scratch resistant (NOT scratchproof, however). OTOH, Hardlex is much less brittle and resists impact better.

A good read if you want to know more about this topic:
http://www.larrybiggs.net/scwf/index...&id=1176221491

 

[sartort]

final question. how about a black dial version of the seiko with a tan strap? i love the combo of black and tan. obviously, i could put on a black strap for more formal occasions. white dial and tan is a nice combo too.

 

[GeorgePaul]

Originally Posted by sartort

how about a black dial version of the seiko with a tan strap? i love the combo of black and tan.
Of course that's OK. You love it, so get it.

 

[sartort]

thanks gentlemen for all the replies. i've decided for sure to go with the seiko. now just need to decide whether to go white or black face. as i said earlier, i tend to enjoy the black face/brown strap combo. but white face black leather is so classic (albeit perhaps too dressy of a combo on a daily basis for me as i wear jeans 50% of the time) for reference, here is a black face sarb029 (same as 031 except face is black and strap is metal, but i would change this out) photo not mine

 

[speedster.8]

I have noted that the Seiko watches on metal bracelet are priced lower than the ones with leather. It could be that metalwork is done in house and leather is outsourced. And as these are higher end Seiko's, they might "overspesify" ...
I find the Seiko metal bracelets to be of quite high finish, can not say anything about the leather work. But with an aftermarket leather strap then you increase the choices vastly ... Vast array of leathers, stitching, edge finish, clasp vs boucle.
In my opinion that would add carracter to the watch, whilst giving you the opportunity to make the watch look more sporty/more dressy.

my2c

Speed

 

[gdl203]

Silver dial all the way IMO

 

[sartort]

just for those interested in how the quest turned out...i ended up choosing "other." While I still like the Seiko SARB031 very much, I decide to up my budget and went after a Sinn 556. You can see pics here in the TWPT if you like. Thanks for all the input SF.