Seiko SARB033 vs Lorier Falcon III

4461 Views 64 Replies 35 Participants Last post by docvail, 8 h ago

Lupinthe5th

Discussion Starter · 7 d ago

2

Hi,

I'm seeking help here. I'm after a watch for a daily wear for around the £500 mark, I have narrowed it down to Seiko SARB033 (Ebay) and The Lorier Falcon III (Brand new). I can only buy one. I really really like the look of both of these. I just cant decide on which one to buy, a SARB033 from ebay or a Microbrand.

Which one would you choose? and Why?

Seiko SARB033

Lorier Falcon III

See less See more

41 - 60 of 65 Posts

VincentG

· #41 · 5 d ago

Yet another Seiko hater, I am surprised you did not complain about the "alignment" on the Sarb, if you bought it and then 4 months later sold it you likely sold it for more than your purchase price, but hey! haters gotta hate.

Reactions: 1

Oakenfield

· #42 · 5 d ago

VincentG said:
Yet another Seiko hater, I am surprised you did not complain about the "alignment" on the Sarb, if you bought it and then 4 months later sold it you likely sold it for more than your purchase price, but hey! haters gotta hate.

That's a weird take. I don't think his message sounded like hatred. I own a 6R movement and it's erratic too. I don't like that, at any price. I like Seiko in general, but some of what they put out is not great. Movements and overall thickness of their watches, for example. Also hollow endlinks and mineral crystals at certain price points... I mean, come on. Does that make me a hater? No, that means we're spoiled with choice these days and while I like the history, heritage and overall design language of Seiko, I will consider other things too.

Reactions: 1

Oakenfield

· #43 · 5 d ago

By the way, I'd go Lorier, either Falcon or Astra. Way better movement, nice designs and I have a soft spot for acrylic. If they made the Astra with a tuxedo dial in black and white/silver, I'd probably get it to replace my Alpinist. And again, not because I hate Seiko, but 19mm lug width, 13mm thickness and the erratic 6R are starting to bug me. Too bad because I absolutely love the dial and hands. I'm even considering going the Seikomod route and swap the case.

Reactions: 1

Half Dozen

· #44 · 5 d ago

They are different dimensions, the Lorier should wear a bit smaller, and significantly thinner. This may or may not be a good thing from your point of view. Yes, the SARB is iconic and it is objectively a nice watch, but that was always relative to the value proposition when the prices were 30% lower. Its still a fine watch, especially if you like to tinker and switch up bracelets, etc, but be mindful of the hype. Having owned a SARB033 and SARB035, I would take a hard look at the Lorier first.

Reactions: 1

92gli

· #45 · 5 d ago (Edited)

Had both. The flat mineral glass crystal on the seiko is absolutely horrible. Aftermarket upgrades are available though. Bracelet is junk too. The case is the best part of the watch.

The lorier was too small for me after having it for a little while, but overall it's a far nicer watch than a sarb.

Edit - supposedly the crystal is sapphire. Either way, it didn't look "clear" to me for some reason

Reactions: 1

PsycProfPlum

· #46 · 5 d ago

Every watch disagreement I've ever read on the internet comes down to different aspects of watches being differentially important to different people, so the decision depends on what's important to you and how much you value the differences between the two watches. For instance, some people care about having an established brand whereas others don't. Some care enormously about specs whereas others don't care about that. An in-house movement is essential for some people but not others. Some demand accuracy whereas others wearing in rotation don't really care about that. Some people crave originality in design, etc. Etc etc. on and on it goes not to mention the complete subjectivity of what designs people like.

In this case, the biggest differences I see between these two are brand history and design. I don't know enough about build quality to know if they differ (though I do own the SARB033 and it's build quality is excellent). As to design, the SARB033 is slightly more formal than the Lorier, the latter of which clearly takes inspiration from the original Rolex Explorer which was a field/adventure watch. The SARB would dress up slightly better and the Lorier dress down slightly better. Both look really versatile though.

For me, I wouldn't worry much about the original price of the SARB033. It's value is defined by the market and it's clearly well above it's original street price. If that watch came out today at a cost of $500 or even $700, very few people argue it is worth less.

Of the two, I prefer the look of the Lorier and would probably go with it, but then again I've had several years with the SARB and my motives are mostly driven by the desire for novelty. I'm also a sucker for the 3-6-9 design.

See less See more

aliasfox

· #47 · 5 d ago

How about an Islander?

longislandwatch.com

Islander Brookville Hi-Beat Automatic Dress Watch with White Dial #ISL-210

Islander Brookville Hi-Beat Automatic Dress Watch with White Dial #ISL-210

longislandwatch.com

longislandwatch.com

They come in a variety of dial colors, and a couple of different bracelet options. They have the benefit of a sapphire crystal as well as the Miyota 9015, and are sized comparably to the SARB, all at a price point that's noticeably lower than a used SARB.

Reactions: 1

92gli

· #48 · 5 d ago

VincentG said:
Yet another Seiko hater, I am surprised you did not complain about the "alignment" on the Sarb, if you bought it and then 4 months later sold it you likely sold it for more than your purchase price, but hey! haters gotta hate.

Hate? come on. When they were $300 some things could be overlooked. But at the current prices it's more than fair to point out the shortcomings.
Mine probably made it 2 months before I sold it. The milky crystal made it unappealing to look at. First rule of watch addiction is you should want to look at it even when you don't really need to know the time. #hatin

mconlonx

· #49 · 5 d ago

I snagged a SARB035 during the last Amazon sale on them, for, I think, $289. Even then, it didn't stick around - cream dial with white date wheel bugged me on some level, where the 033 might not. Not down with the stepped-bevel case detail. The whole watch seemed to wear a bit thick or tall, and the bracelet was not the best. The hands, however, are fantastic, and the one I got was fine, regarding timekeeping. Just did not have the WOW! factor so many exclaim over the watch. Got sucked into the FOMO and for me, did not live up to the hype.

I'm actually much happier with a SNKL41, on an Uncle Straps president bracelet.

Helps that you can still pick one of these up for about 20% the cost of a SARB, add the bracelet, and still be under a third the cost of a SARB.

But SARB v. Falcon? Falcon, all day.

Even then, I'd be considering a Traska Commuter over either.

See less See more

Bfreund

· #50 · 5 d ago

Seiko. At its price tier, it is number 1. I have the GS Sbgx261 black dial. At its price tier it is a benchmark piece from the key innovator in TCQ tech. A phenomenal quartz timepiece.
I own other benchmarks pieces in top brands. Boring is good, attractive, masterfully done, patiently improved, and in demand.

Reactions: 1

Bfreund

· #51 · 5 d ago

If you are new to this fetish, stick to benchmark pieces from AD’s.

Saswatch

· #52 · 4 d ago

92gli said:
Had both. The flat mineral glass crystal on the seiko is absolutely horrible. Aftermarket upgrades are available though. Bracelet is junk too. The case is the best part of the watch.

The lorier was too small for me after having it for a little while, but overall it's a far nicer watch than a sarb.

Could be you had a different Seiko or a Feiko. The SARB uses Sapphire crystals.

Reactions: 2

Bosman

· #53 · 4 d ago

Sarb035 owner here, so that would be my choice. If you are not concerned about brand heritage, which is important to some, then you have many other options. San Martin comes to mine as being less expensive and the quality is outstanding! When I see what San Martin is doing the Lorier probably isn't worth $500. But then again since many of us paid about half of what Sarbs are now going for, it's challenging to get out heads around the current pricing.

92gli

· #54 · 4 d ago

Saswatch said:
Could be you had a different Seiko or a Feiko. The SARB uses Sapphire crystals.

If so it was literally the worst sapphire crystal I've ever seen. I had seen someone say it is flat on both sides, which could explain how it looked cloudy compared to the other watches I had at the time (reflection off the dial). Photos of the watch with the aftermarket domed crystal shows a massive improvement. But was I going to pay for that and pay for a watchmaker to swap it? Nope

Saswatch

· #55 · 4 d ago

92gli said:
If so it was literally the worst sapphire crystal I've ever seen. I had seen someone say it is flat on both sides, which could explain how it looked cloudy compared to the other watches I had at the time (reflection off the dial). Photos of the watch with the aftermarket domed crystal shows a massive improvement. But was I going to pay for that and pay for a watchmaker to swap it? Nope

Correct. Those are just sapphire without the anti reflective treatment. Same problem on my SARB017 and Seiko has been coating their crystals ever since. The early San Martins didn’t either and I don’t think Tissot or Hamilton use coated crystals.

Mineral crystals and acrylic/hesalite do a much better job in diffusing the reflections.

Lupinthe5th

Discussion Starter · #56 · 4 d ago

Oakenfield said:
By the way, I'd go Lorier, either Falcon or Astra. Way better movement, nice designs and I have a soft spot for acrylic. If they made the Astra with a tuxedo dial in black and white/silver, I'd probably get it to replace my Alpinist. And again, not because I hate Seiko, but 19mm lug width, 13mm thickness and the erratic 6R are starting to bug me. Too bad because I absolutely love the dial and hands. I'm even considering going the Seikomod route and swap the case.

Thanks, I love the designs of the Lorier's they just speak to me, really beautiful. I already have an alpinist sarb017, I just never wear it for some reason, maybe the green is too flashy for me. That's why I'm after a watch I can wear daily.

Half Dozen said:
They are different dimensions, the Lorier should wear a bit smaller, and significantly thinner. This may or may not be a good thing from your point of view. Yes, the SARB is iconic and it is objectively a nice watch, but that was always relative to the value proposition when the prices were 30% lower. Its still a fine watch, especially if you like to tinker and switch up bracelets, etc, but be mindful of the hype. Having owned a SARB033 and SARB035, I would take a hard look at the Lorier first.

I have small wrists so having a thinner/smaller watch would suit me. Yeah with inflation the SARB's would of cost $600 in todays world. Thanks for the reply.

92gli said:
Had both. The flat mineral glass crystal on the seiko is absolutely horrible. Aftermarket upgrades are available though. Bracelet is junk too. The case is the best part of the watch.

The lorier was too small for me after having it for a little while, but overall it's a far nicer watch than a sarb.

You've totally put me of the SARB. What do you think of the new Astra?

PsycProfPlum said:
Every watch disagreement I've ever read on the internet comes down to different aspects of watches being differentially important to different people, so the decision depends on what's important to you and how much you value the differences between the two watches. For instance, some people care about having an established brand whereas others don't. Some care enormously about specs whereas others don't care about that. An in-house movement is essential for some people but not others. Some demand accuracy whereas others wearing in rotation don't really care about that. Some people crave originality in design, etc. Etc etc. on and on it goes not to mention the complete subjectivity of what designs people like.

In this case, the biggest differences I see between these two are brand history and design. I don't know enough about build quality to know if they differ (though I do own the SARB033 and it's build quality is excellent). As to design, the SARB033 is slightly more formal than the Lorier, the latter of which clearly takes inspiration from the original Rolex Explorer which was a field/adventure watch. The SARB would dress up slightly better and the Lorier dress down slightly better. Both look really versatile though.

For me, I wouldn't worry much about the original price of the SARB033. It's value is defined by the market and it's clearly well above it's original street price. If that watch came out today at a cost of $500 or even $700, very few people argue it is worth less.

Of the two, I prefer the look of the Lorier and would probably go with it, but then again I've had several years with the SARB and my motives are mostly driven by the desire for novelty. I'm also a sucker for the 3-6-9 design.

Thanks for the reply. I feel like the SARB033 will just become even more legendary with time, I think that's the reason I want to own it. Plus the dial just speaks to me. But yeah the Lorier is impressive, I really like the brand.

Earthjade

· #57 · 4 d ago

VincentG said:
Yet another Seiko hater, I am surprised you did not complain about the "alignment" on the Sarb, if you bought it and then 4 months later sold it you likely sold it for more than your purchase price, but hey! haters gotta hate.

🤷‍♂️

Miggyd87

· #58 · 3 d ago

Lorier

Reactions: 1

DaveMac

· #59 · 3 d ago

The SARB is more likely to hold its value as an iconic, collectible watch. As nicely designed and spec'd as microbrands are, they tend to lose their value over time if you ever want to sell it. Because you seem to want to own one given its "legendary" status, I'd go with the SARB (if you can get a good one) while you still can. Once you have it, then take a chance on a micro. A lot of commenters who sold their SARBs have regrets.

Reactions: 3

Lupinthe5th

Discussion Starter · #60 · 2 d ago

DaveMac said:
The SARB is more likely to hold its value as an iconic, collectible watch. As nicely designed and spec'd as microbrands are, they tend to lose their value over time if you ever want to sell it. Because you seem to want to own one given its "legendary" status, I'd go with the SARB (if you can get a good one) while you still can. Once you have it, then take a chance on a micro. A lot of commenters who sold their SARBs have regrets.

I want to to actually wear the watch, I think of If I had a Sarb all this preserving value and it being a collectable would make my mind think I shouldn't wear it everyday.

41 - 60 of 65 Posts