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Seiko Spirit v Tissot Visodate

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Aquaracer1

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I recently stumbled across these affordable beauties. They both seem to have great value for what you get. Which do you like and why? A blue sunburst dial variant would be nice!

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(Images borrowed)
 
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#2 ·
Both are very nice choices, in terms of styling it is hard to choose between the two! The Seiko just edges it for me though ... a movement which is not found in any other brand (and just as good as the ETA equivalent). Variety is the spice of life (with watches, anyway)!
 
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#4 ·
I haven't handled the Tissot so can't directly compare. However, I second the recommendation regarding the Seiko Spirit line. The slightly newer version of the watches you've shown above are the SARB033 and SARB035. I've owned both, still have the black version but flipped the white version.

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It sounds like hyperbole, but the reason I got rid of the white faced version (besides the fact that I was raising funds for a Speedy) was that it had too much overlap with my white faced Datejust. Yes, they've got very different hands and bezels, but the quality of the Seiko, the size and feel of the indices and face were really that good.

The bracelet is a bit of a problem for some in these SARB's, since they only have two microadjustment holes, but they look great on leather or croc straps. They seem to come up for sale every once in a while here for around $300ish, if you keep your eyes open for them.
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
Both are quite similar in appearance, however, the Seiko has a 37-38 mm case v the Tissot at 40. All of my watches are > than 40. So a smaller dial might be a nice change
 
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#8 ·
Donf said:
The retro design of the Tissot make it a little dressier than the Seiko I like the more delicate lugs and the thinner crown.
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I'd have to agree, so it may depend on what you need. The Seiko does lean toward the Datejust in terms of style (dressy but still able to pull off a more casual look) so it's the most versatile, while the Tissot looks more like a classic Longines or Zenith dress watch. I think that makes it a better fit for more formal occasions (admittedly I'm coming awfully close to splitting hairs here). Having said all this; I just don't like the Tissot logo. It looks out of place and maybe a little cheap on that dial. This observation is a matter of personal preference, but would cause me to look in a different direction if I wanted a dressier watch.
 
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#10 ·
I'd take the Tissot because of its great vintage aesthetics.
If you're not dead-set on either, take a look at the Sea-Gull M198s? It's great looking, has an in-house movement, and is cheaper than both your choices.
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#11 ·
The Tissot is kind of ugly to me. It looks as if the lugs are separate pieces from the case, which is not aesthetically pleasing. Plus, the Tissot logo annoys me in this particular watch.

I would be looking at a SARB instead.. check those out. Worth the extra 100 or so bucks over the SCVS line.
 
#12 ·
W123 said:
The Tissot is kind of ugly to me. It looks as if the lugs are separate pieces from the case, which is not aesthetically pleasing. Plus, the Tissot logo annoys me in this particular watch.

I would be looking at a SARB instead.. check those out. Worth the extra 100 or so bucks over the SCVS line.
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The Tissot has the "applied lug" look and is actually quite common, especially for vintage watches. The Tissot is styled after (or an homage to) other vintage Tissots as well.

Both are very nice...I really like the Seikos, but I wish they were 40mm in case diameter. So, for me, I'd probably go with the Tissot. Not sure if you can get a bracelet for the Tissot or not, so that might be a factor for you.
 
#13 ·
Great couple of watches here. I own a SRAB035 (already pictured and referenced in johnchoe's post as I'm the one that bought it) and it is just an incredible watch all around. I own a lot of watches, many more expensive that the Seiko and it holds up in terms of quality to the best of them. I really like the Tissot as well, but honestly the Seiko is a special watch. You just have to be comfortable wearing a diminutive (by modern standards) watch.
 
#14 ·
IMHO.. this is merely opinion based on my experience handling both

by case , dial and finishing quality, both are equal...

they are a bit different in the basic style they use

Spirit is more simple in term of style, more classic
see how the upper case sloping to the lugs
simple brushed + polished finish
no cutting
and the size from case to lug, is not so drastic, it is slooping
so the spirit, will worn Smaller but more comfort in wrist..

Tissot vaso, the casing is more modern in style with their cutting
and how the dial diameter drastically change to smaller lug
wearing vaso, will want to push people to see at the dial
Tissot will definitely wear Bigger coz the design enchance the dial apperance
but, on the downside , its just me, the design will make the case not so curvy to sit on the wrist


Dial wise speaking...
both are classic watch...
for me, personally speaking

Classic mean simple...
Both are using as minimal Words as possible in the dial... (Seagull even win in this simple words category for me)

Tissot font is a bit more modern than the straight Seiko font (its up to your taste to decide , which is your preference)

both already been minimalistic

in printing, I will personally choose Tissot
the combination between Italic font in Tissot and straight arial like font Automatic is nice

in Spirit, all in straight font, and quite boring



but...
my preference is Simple is better
the day date in Tissot, kind a ,
u know
ruining all the balance that has been made
it just too big for my eyes...
it make the whole watch not balanced

I prefer no date or just date


machine wised
having owned ETA 2824, 2836, 2834, 2892, etc
seiko 7S, 4S, 6R, 4R

I will go to Seiko 6R
since they have longer power reserve
better magic lever so they charge easier and only need slight minimal movement to keep it charged

its just me ...
I prefer Spirit for:
1. the simple case design (more classic)
2. the date only quite balance the dial
3. the comfort in wrist
4. the longer power reserve and better charging

I prefer Tissot for
1. the font is better in my eyes
2. the enhance the dial style, make the watch look bigger
3. its swiss, people will get more uhhh ahhhh ( in my town ) compared to seeing me watching seiko


just my opinions
 
#18 ·
filmjuicer said:
The Tissot has the "applied lug" look and is actually quite common, especially for vintage watches. The Tissot is styled after (or an homage to) other vintage Tissots as well.

Both are very nice...I really like the Seikos, but I wish they were 40mm in case diameter. So, for me, I'd probably go with the Tissot. Not sure if you can get a bracelet for the Tissot or not, so that might be a factor for you.
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Yes I know, but it's not common anymore...and I never found it attractive on vintage watches either. It can go the same place that zoot suits and white loafers went b-)
 
#19 ·
W123 said:
Yes I know, but it's not common anymore...and I never found it attractive on vintage watches either. It can go the same place that zoot suits and white loafers went b-)
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I think IWC has done it very tastefully in the past, so has Longines.
 
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Aquaracer1
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