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Post by russtmurray on Jul 2, 2020 22:12:04 GMT -8
Saw this posted on WUS. It's a review by Spencer Klein and it's kinda thought provoking.
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scubarob99
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Post by scubarob99 on Jul 3, 2020 3:40:21 GMT -8
Nuts! Between the box, strap, AR sapphire crystal and Movement, there's your $200! Had Seiko done that at even $400, we'd be lining up to put in our orders.
Rob
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Post by nordlys on Jul 3, 2020 6:04:41 GMT -8
Nice review! A lot of the Chinese knock-offs of the SLA017 are quite impressive as well. I know there's the "But they didn't spend money on the design and marketing!!!" argument. But still, for the price they're able to produce these knock-offs for with an NH35 movement, sapphire crystal, and decent case/dial finishing, it's quite impressive in its own right.
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Post by russtmurray on Jul 3, 2020 7:00:01 GMT -8
I was hoping he'd open the caseback but as he suggested, this review was pretty much done on an impromptu basis.
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Post by jennie on Jul 3, 2020 7:56:59 GMT -8
Maybe this is the answer to getting a modern Seiko watch at realistic prices. It would not bother me to wear one of these watches knowing it is not a Seiko except for the heart. This really raises my impression of the manufacturing capabilities of China  |
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Fergus
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Post by Fergus on Jul 3, 2020 8:45:18 GMT -8
Maybe this is the answer to getting a modern Seiko watch at realistic prices. It would not bother me to wear one of these watches knowing it is not a Seiko except for the heart. This really raises my impression of the manufacturing capabilities of China You are aware that most, if not all, Seiko's are manufactured in China then assembled in Malaysia. Even the NH36 is Chinese. As for me i'm a Seikoholic so whatever it takes to wear a Seiko is my motto. My 6105-8000 cost me 10x but when someone says what is I can say it's an original 1968 diver's, not ohh it's a copy of an original. |
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Post by russtmurray on Jul 3, 2020 9:34:29 GMT -8
Maybe this is the answer to getting a modern Seiko watch at realistic prices. It would not bother me to wear one of these watches knowing it is not a Seiko except for the heart. This really raises my impression of the manufacturing capabilities of China You are aware that most, if not all, Seiko's are manufactured in China then assembled in Malaysia. Even the NH36 is Chinese. As for me i'm a Seikoholic so whatever it takes to wear a Seiko is my motto. My 6105-8000 cost me 10x but when someone says what is I can say it's an original 1968 diver's, not ohh it's a copy of an original. Some good points here and TBH, my thoughts on all this reference to things made in China speaks to a much bigger issue. I'm not pontificating......just sayin'  |
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scubarob99
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Post by scubarob99 on Jul 3, 2020 10:43:13 GMT -8
One of my buddies is in the rod and reel business. He went to China to view the final prototype of his new gear, they had already banged out a thousand knockoffs before it was approved.
I really like the 6105-8000, and, other than Dagaz( Tsunami, Typhoon) I'm not a homage guy.
Impressed that it has an auto movement not a $15 dime sized quartz.
Rob
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suntzu
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Post by suntzu on Jul 3, 2020 11:12:49 GMT -8
Wow! $200 shipped for all that with near identical looks to the original? Spencer is right, why couldn't Seiko do that for $400 like Rob said?
The Chinese sure know how to work their hustle; all out theft of intellectual property included. Not saying that about this company, but Chinese manufacturing in general.
Not a homage guy but it's impressive.
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Post by thianwong on Jul 3, 2020 11:44:48 GMT -8
Kinda old news for me...I mean, I tested Chinese watches last year or so. Bought 2 Parnis watches (both styled after Rolexes) for around $140 free shipping to Japan. They still are accurate as any of my collection, including the SINN and Omega X33. I had bought 2 Tuna copies for $200 and thought they were super good! (sold them off, as I had decided to scale down the size of watches).
When Seiko began to change its marketing strategy to compete with the Swiss boys, I refused to spend on the new models. My objection to their new higher prices was to get a MWW Seiko homage SuS. It was initially $328, titanium, sapphire, NH35 midsized with basic Nato strap. In fact I did trade my Baby G Frogman for it (cost me $60 used but like new) to an engineer in Bahrain!
I did sell off my 6105 2 years ago with no regrets. Sold my Marine Master to fund a new used Honda too. No regrets. Japanese prices in general are rising and the watch industry has been affected. The used G Shock market here is still strong with reasonable used prices. |
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mikeyt
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Post by mikeyt on Jul 3, 2020 18:08:34 GMT -8
One of my buddies is in the rod and reel business. He went to China to view the final prototype of his new gear, they had already banged out a thousand knockoffs before it was approved. I really like the 6105-8000, and, other than Dagaz( Tsunami, Typhoon) I'm not a homage guy. Impressed that it has an auto movement not a $15 dime sized quartz. Rob You need to look at the micro-brand watches i have been posting in WRUW threads. They all have NH35A or 9015 movements. And most are made in China or Hong Kong. Not a $15 dime size quartz in the bunch. You need not wear your prejudices so proudly. |
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Post by bigbluekyle on Jul 3, 2020 18:42:44 GMT -8
When the Sharkey 6105-811X "homage" first came out I bought a pile of them at around $130 (mostly on cheap leather straps) but a few with decent, well made bracelets. I wore them, swam with them, bushwacked trails on a motorbike with them, and modded some. They were worn where I would not take an original 6105-811X. I liked them and enjoyed them but all of my Sharkeys have Sold.
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Post by raistlin on Jul 3, 2020 18:54:26 GMT -8
This is not good news for my wallet. How does this stack up against the Armida A13?
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scubarob99
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Post by scubarob99 on Jul 4, 2020 3:17:42 GMT -8
One of my buddies is in the rod and reel business. He went to China to view the final prototype of his new gear, they had already banged out a thousand knockoffs before it was approved. I really like the 6105-8000, and, other than Dagaz( Tsunami, Typhoon) I'm not a homage guy. Impressed that it has an auto movement not a $15 dime sized quartz. Rob You need to look at the micro-brand watches i have been posting in WRUW threads. They all have NH35A or 9015 movements. And most are made in China or Hong Kong. Not a $15 dime size quartz in the bunch. You need not wear your prejudices so proudly. I am fully aware that most micro brands sport either Miyota or Seiko movements. I'm far from prejudiced and impressed by the quality of the offerings. I guess what I meant is that gone are the days of Chinatown fake Rolexes and Omegas with kid watch movements. Rob |
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HiBeat
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Post by HiBeat on Jul 4, 2020 18:15:36 GMT -8
I too have burned through, and still have, some of these Chinese 'homages' that come with genuine Seiko NH35/36 movements.
All have been really well made and represent a tremendous value for the price.
I had a "SLA017" homage that I considered mounting a spare true SLA017 dial and hand set into because next to my genuine SLA017 there wasn't a lot of difference to the eye. Never did, glad I didn't, sold them off separately.
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suntzu
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Post by suntzu on Jul 4, 2020 18:59:07 GMT -8
Has anyone gone to their website yet?
It's not just this model, but Sumos, Turtles, Marine Masters, Tunas, etc...
You name it, they make it with dial color and strap variations. Even bronze cases.
And the price? Super cheap. Even have a $10 discount code.
It's nuts!
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Post by bklake on Jul 5, 2020 10:20:33 GMT -8
I have a few of these Chinese made watches. They are designed and made by people that a excited and passionate about putting out a good product. Much different than many made in China products. These guys are out Seikoing Seiko.
Seiko has chosen to move their prices upscale. I got my first Seiko in 1982. It was a tremendous value. The cost was not so large that I needed insurance to cover a loss. I surf, boat, work hard and generally abuse my watches. $200 is my acceptable level for the potential of loosing or damaging a watch beyond repair. Seiko used to have a wide selection that made the cut. They have moved upscale in price but nothing else was changed. Same movements, same glass, same bands and bracelets. For a few hundred $$ more, you would think they could expend a little more effort on things like chapter ring alignment. I know that the cost difference between a 4R36 and a 6R15 is about $60. Seiko charges several hundred more to get a watch with the 6R15. I congratulate their marketing department for pulling that off. I stay away from Swiss stuff because it is mostly marketing and now Seiko is going down that path.
I appreciate the designs of the past. I respect my tools and machinery too much. I'm not going to subject a vintage, collectable watch to the rigors of my daily life. A watch that respects the designs of the past, doesn't use or try to fake brand names, and uses updated materials is right up my alley. You can barely find a collectable Seiko without fake or aftermarket parts. That's another minefield I choose to avoid. It's easier to get a homage that doesn't pretend to be real.
In almost 40 years of wearing nice watches, not one single person has commented on one of them. We care here, but not so much in the wild.
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HiBeat
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Post by HiBeat on Jul 5, 2020 11:46:27 GMT -8
............In almost 40 years of wearing nice watches, not one single person has commented on one of them. We care here, but not so much in the wild. I guess I've had a few nice comments and some long stares at good watches but I totally agree, by and large, no one cares much about what you or I wear for a watch.
I guess the same could be said for ladies handbags or shoes for men or women, etc.
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Post by russtmurray on Jul 5, 2020 12:20:30 GMT -8
............In almost 40 years of wearing nice watches, not one single person has commented on one of them. We care here, but not so much in the wild. I guess I've had a few nice comments and some long stares at good watches but I totally agree, by and large, no one cares much about what you or I wear for a watch.
I guess the same could be said for ladies handbags or shoes for men or women, etc.
Quite right and actually this issue of Chinese manufacturing speaks to a much broader perspective in terms of concern vs prejudice. We've all consumed Chinese goods and whether you choose to continue to do so can be an ethical and/or political choice. The fact that some Seiko models are made in China just might make one's choice more palatable. |
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Post by rainier on Jul 5, 2020 21:51:32 GMT -8
I completely get why these are a value for the price point, but I couldn’t own one knowing it’s a copy of a brand I admire. I want to own the real thing, it’s a personal choice.
If I want a watch I don’t have to worry about, I wear a trusty G-Shock.
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