is seiko the best quality brand under $ 500?

WestCoastTime
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That's a little bit subjective...

Under $500 for timekeeping accuracy? Yes, Seiko is probably at or near the top.

Under $500 for finish quality? No, any of the entry level Swatch group labels will be better put together than a Seiko at the same price point.

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JwRosenthal
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I think that covered it for under $500 MSRP, I agree with Hamilton and Glycine being on the list.
Slightly used can step you up the food chain a little, but probably the same players.
 
Spruce
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The fact that I can’t wind the automatics is a problem for me
 
Walrus
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Spruce Spruce
The fact that I can’t wind the automatics is a problem for me
You can wind the modern alpanist and presage not sure about the newer divers.
 
Spruce
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Walrus Walrus
You can wind the modern alpanist and presage not sure about the newer divers.
I take it all back ….. 😀
 
Walrus
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Spruce Spruce
I take it all back ….. 😀
Ha ha I left plenty of room for ambiguity I don’t want to alter your perception on my word alone
 
Spruce
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…… but I trust you - implicitly 🙁
 
eugeneandresson
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My vote : a Tough Solar radio-controlled g-shock (e.g the Casio gw-m5610-1er) for $100.

edit: the radio-controlled bit sets the time daily to atomic clocks. Tough solar…I’ve had one running more than a decade powered by light.
Edited:
 
dsio
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I’m just going to put it out there that in the sub $500 range one of the best options is also Apple, and they really are a compelling offering for that
 
dsio
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timecube timecube
I'll add that no watch has ever given me so much misery as my $499 Invicta.
Yea it might need a Viking sacrifice to undo that bad karma you got for buying it 🙁
 
eugeneandresson
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dsio dsio
I’m just going to put it out there that in the sub $500 range one of the best options is also Apple, and they really are a compelling offering for that

My only gripe is ‘yet another 🤬 thing to charge every day’ and that I believe is why I still haven’t tried one out. I’m hoping one day they will be solar powered … 🙄 … yeah right …
 
dsio
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eugeneandresson eugeneandresson
My only gripe is ‘yet another 🤬 thing to charge every day’ and that I believe is why I still haven’t tried one out. I’m hoping one day they will be solar powered … 🙄 … yeah right …
From some of the new patents it looks like they’re investigating the potential for a kinetic system at some point to extend the battery if not keep it alive all the time, likely a few years away though
 
Foo2rama
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Magrette puts out a solid watch with a few under 500. It seems people might have caught on though and prices seem to have up.
 
KeyWestPaw
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Spruce Spruce
The fact that I can’t wind the automatics is a problem for me

The 4R35 is hand wind. Not terribly inaccurate for a cheap diver but as some mentioned, the finish isn't great.
 
mzzleather
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I think tags from the 80s-90s period, esp the F1 series are pretty good beaters for the under 500 range
 
S.H.
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WestCoastTime WestCoastTime
Under $500 for finish quality? No, any of the entry level Swatch group labels will be better put together than a Seiko at the same price point.

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A Tissot swissmatic at 450$ with a bare bones finish and shit black PVD treatment fitted with a throwaway movement (plastic rivets ffs!) is better than a Seiko 5, 100mWR, fully serviceable at less than 350? I have handled a few low cost Tissot recently and I came to really respect the entry level Seiko range... these feel less Chinese that the Swiss brands at this price point 😁 even if I suspect most components come from there.

Entry level Swiss watches can be costly crap. The biggest problem with Seiko is the website, their pictures and renders are horrible, the watches look much better in person.
 
riimar
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timecube timecube
I'll add that no watch has ever given me so much misery as my $499 Invicta.
$499 at sale is a steal, msrp is around $9990 for these beauties.

I would second that. Hamilton
And maybe Certina above Seiko.
Victorinox should also be mentioned.
 
Stripey
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I love my two Citizen Fugus, which fall in that range.
 
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