Joined
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4,845 Posts
Hello all.
In the past month or so I've received a ton of PM's asking for information on one or more of the watches in my collection, most of it related to relative size and fit of different pieces. In order to make information (and more importantly, comparison) more readily available, I've decided to create a thread detailing the relative characteristics of 5 watches. Each watch will be shown in a wrist shot, a shot detailing the height the watch sits above the wrist, and a movement shot (minus the Alpinist as it does not have a transparent back and features the same movement as the SARB033).
For reference, my wrist is dead on 6.5 inches (16.5cm) around and the top flat bit on top is right about 50mm before my wrist curves downward.
I will also refrain from "reviewing" any of the pieces (unless you guys all ask me to of course).
Watches Featured (Left to Right):
Seiko SARB033
Seiko SARB017
Citizen Signature Grand Classic
Mido Multifort 38mm
Orient Star WZ0031DV
Seiko SARB033:
Approx. $430 New
38mm Diameter
11.2mm Thickness
48mm Lug-toLug
Seiko SARB017:
Approx. $600 New
39mm Diameter
12mm Thickness
45mm Lug-to-Lug
Citizen Signature Grand Classic:
Approx. $750 New
40mm Diameter (42mm w/ Crown Guards)
12.5mm Thickness
48mm Lug-to-Lug (approx.)
Orient Star WZ0031DV:
Approx. $400 New
38.5mm Diameter
11.5mm Thickness
46.5mm Lug-to-Lug
Mido Multifort:
Approx. $700 New
38mm Diameter
10.85mm Thickness
48mm Lug-to-Lug
I'm going to finish up with some semi-comparative profile pictures that I took showing roughly what the different watches look like from the (non-crown) side.
(Mido, Alpinist, OS)
(OS, SARB033, Citizen)
Thoughts on Value for Money
This bit is a little more subjective, but I wanted to throw it out there.
All 5 of these watches have quality bracelets with solid end links. All have sapphire crystals. All are approximately equally accurate. The Citizen is the only one in the bunch with AR coating on the crystal. It also has the highest MSRP.
As far as value for money goes, the Orient Star and Mido are at the bottom together.
The Orient Star has, by far, the cheapest bracelet and the lowest feeling build quality. This stands to reason as it is also the cheapest, but the difference is shocking compared to the similarly priced Seiko.
The Mido has great build quality and arguably the best bracelet in the bunch (not a single stamped piece of metal in it), but the case is downright pedestrian, the brushing looks slightly cheap (could be better defined for sure), and the crystal really needs some sort of AR coating. MSRP on the Mido is ~$900 and those issues certainly need to be addressed to make it worth it. For some idea of what I'm talking about, simply look at the profile shots of the watches. The Mido has plain, vertical sides where even the OS has visual interest and the SARB017 has the graceful, smooth curve. Check out the bezels too. All the Japanese guys have a knife edge, or at least two different planes. The Mido is a simple half dome.
The Citizen has to stand alone at the top of the heap. MSRP is $995, I paid $625 for it brand new with a stamped warranty. The deal of the century to be sure. The case is intricately detailed, the lines between brushed and polished surfaces are razor sharp, and the crystal/hands/dial are unreal. This is what the Mido should aspire to with its similar MSRP and similar street price. The only real complaint (and it isn't an issue for me) is that there is no form of micro adjustment. No holes on the clasp, no half links. What you see is what you get.
And a closing shot of the whole gang together once more. Again, feel free to ask any questions you like and I will do my best to answer them.
In the past month or so I've received a ton of PM's asking for information on one or more of the watches in my collection, most of it related to relative size and fit of different pieces. In order to make information (and more importantly, comparison) more readily available, I've decided to create a thread detailing the relative characteristics of 5 watches. Each watch will be shown in a wrist shot, a shot detailing the height the watch sits above the wrist, and a movement shot (minus the Alpinist as it does not have a transparent back and features the same movement as the SARB033).
For reference, my wrist is dead on 6.5 inches (16.5cm) around and the top flat bit on top is right about 50mm before my wrist curves downward.
I will also refrain from "reviewing" any of the pieces (unless you guys all ask me to of course).
Watches Featured (Left to Right):
Seiko SARB033
Seiko SARB017
Citizen Signature Grand Classic
Mido Multifort 38mm
Orient Star WZ0031DV

Seiko SARB033:
Approx. $430 New
38mm Diameter
11.2mm Thickness
48mm Lug-toLug



Seiko SARB017:
Approx. $600 New
39mm Diameter
12mm Thickness
45mm Lug-to-Lug


Citizen Signature Grand Classic:
Approx. $750 New
40mm Diameter (42mm w/ Crown Guards)
12.5mm Thickness
48mm Lug-to-Lug (approx.)



Orient Star WZ0031DV:
Approx. $400 New
38.5mm Diameter
11.5mm Thickness
46.5mm Lug-to-Lug



Mido Multifort:
Approx. $700 New
38mm Diameter
10.85mm Thickness
48mm Lug-to-Lug



I'm going to finish up with some semi-comparative profile pictures that I took showing roughly what the different watches look like from the (non-crown) side.
(Mido, Alpinist, OS)

(OS, SARB033, Citizen)

Thoughts on Value for Money
This bit is a little more subjective, but I wanted to throw it out there.
All 5 of these watches have quality bracelets with solid end links. All have sapphire crystals. All are approximately equally accurate. The Citizen is the only one in the bunch with AR coating on the crystal. It also has the highest MSRP.
As far as value for money goes, the Orient Star and Mido are at the bottom together.
The Orient Star has, by far, the cheapest bracelet and the lowest feeling build quality. This stands to reason as it is also the cheapest, but the difference is shocking compared to the similarly priced Seiko.
The Mido has great build quality and arguably the best bracelet in the bunch (not a single stamped piece of metal in it), but the case is downright pedestrian, the brushing looks slightly cheap (could be better defined for sure), and the crystal really needs some sort of AR coating. MSRP on the Mido is ~$900 and those issues certainly need to be addressed to make it worth it. For some idea of what I'm talking about, simply look at the profile shots of the watches. The Mido has plain, vertical sides where even the OS has visual interest and the SARB017 has the graceful, smooth curve. Check out the bezels too. All the Japanese guys have a knife edge, or at least two different planes. The Mido is a simple half dome.
The Citizen has to stand alone at the top of the heap. MSRP is $995, I paid $625 for it brand new with a stamped warranty. The deal of the century to be sure. The case is intricately detailed, the lines between brushed and polished surfaces are razor sharp, and the crystal/hands/dial are unreal. This is what the Mido should aspire to with its similar MSRP and similar street price. The only real complaint (and it isn't an issue for me) is that there is no form of micro adjustment. No holes on the clasp, no half links. What you see is what you get.
And a closing shot of the whole gang together once more. Again, feel free to ask any questions you like and I will do my best to answer them.
