Grand Seiko?

 

Check out ORIS.

 

Jordan,
I'm kinda new here, too. The site is awesome.
Seiko makes some pretty awesome watches - you should research what they offer. I have two Seikos (an SNM037 and an SBDX001 Marine Master 300). From what I gather, the Marine Master is considered to be somewhat of a classic. It really is an awesome piece. Seiko also makes the Grand Seiko line. One of the most beautiful watches I've ever seen is the SBGM001. I hope I can afford one some day. Additionally, they make the Springdrive line (big dollars). So, I think Seiko makes a "nicer" watch that's a "step up" from your other Seiko models. Hope this helps.

 

Hamilton Jazzmaster Auto Chrono:

 

Great question.

The most natural step up from Seiko is Seiko.

After that Seiko.... and after that Grand Seiko.

If you get crazy you can look at Credor.

So in conclusion... Go with Seiko.

 

Hello. I'm new to the forum; I've been here daily reading for the past several weeks, and I decided to register and maybe ask a question or two. Great forum here!

I have several watches that I really like: Seiko SNL003, Seiko SNA765, ESQ Crestone, Luminox 3001, and I have several Skagens that I wear when I dress up (I know Skagens aren't generally well-regarded here, but I'm not hard on watches and they've lasted several years). I'm ready for a new watch, but I don't know what exactly I want. I do have a bit of an issue with spending a couple of thousand dollars on a watch that's not as accurate as my Seikos and will have to be serviced every couple of years for the price of a new Seiko. I've considered just buying more of the same type/quality watches (Citizen, Bulova, etc) as I do really love my Seikos, but if I wanted to buy a "nicer" watch (say $1000-$1500 new, I will probably buy it used to save money) what should I look at? What would be a step up, so to speak, from a Seiko? Tissot? Hamilton? Others? And what is better about watches that are a step up from a Seiko? Is it the fit and finish, the quality of the movements, will the watch last longer, is the watch more accurate, is it just better looking...what is the difference between what I have and more expensive watches?

I want a watch that could be casual or maybe a little dressier with something like a polo shirt and blazer. I don't really have a preference between mechanical vs quartz. I also don't have a preference between SS vs leather band, but I have a big wrist (about 8" - 8.25") so I have a harder time finding leather bands that fit. I also don't need complications on the watch like chronographs, moon phase, etc. What would you recommend for me (it can be a specific watch or a general brand of watches)?

Sorry my first question was a bit of a long one. Thanks for any help.

Jordan

Maybe you are looking for just different brand options and styles, rather than the most common ones (like Seiko-Hamilton etc).

I would checkout a site such as Gnomon Watches - Watches + Accessories + Emotions . It will give you an idea of some great low-mid tier brands and what they offer, that are not necessarily better than Seiko etc.........just different.

 

Wow .... I didn't know of Credor .... amazing! This one will go on my want-but-will-never-have list.

 

Credor is Japan-only. Been a Seiko sub-brand since the 80s (that I know of).

 

Sorry, but you've struck a bit of a sensitive area with your well-intended question.

Seiko makes watches costing from very little to over US$100,000. Their high end watches are wonderful instruments, easily comparable to the best of Switzerland or Germany in similar price ranges.

So asking "what's a step up from Seiko" isn't really easy to answer.

Rather, you might want to ask what's out there for a particular price range, in a particular style, in all good brands.

 

.... I do have a bit of an issue with spending a couple of thousand dollars on a watch that's not as accurate as my Seikos and will have to be serviced every couple of years for the price of a new Seiko. ....

Jordan

My read is the OP is asking for a recommendation for a quartz watch.

I'd look at getting a Breitling Aerospace, but it is more like $1000-2000 used. Seiko Spring Drives also fit the description but are too expensive. The Bulova Precisionist series fits, but is below the price range. There is probably a Grand Seiko quartz which fits or maybe a used Seamaster quartz, The tough thing is the price gap in quartz watches. Most are either well below the price range or well above the specified price range.

What you get as you move up in price on quartz watches is principally nicer cases, bands, dials and hands. When you make a big move up, you get a better movement too. Not necessarily one that will last longer, but generally a more accurate one. For more info on this, check out the HEQ forum.

 

Your going to go along way to beat Seiko, but thinking about as said maybe Oris yes.

 

Spring Drive |>

 

saving up a little an getting an Omega

 

If the OP wants something better than a Seiko, why would he want a Swatch?

 

124spider sums it up nicely. Seiko covers rather LARGE $$ ground. There are people who collect Seikos and spends Thousands of $$ for them.

Around $2K will get you nice used Seiko Spring Drive with central second hand. (Now, you can get the ones with subsecond dialed ones for a bit less - $1500?) but that kinda defeats purpose of smooth second hand movement IMHO.

Now, if you are just looking for a nice watch around $1000- $1500, then maybe used Omega Seamaster or right at $1500 may be good condition Omega Speedmaster pro - though you stated that you do not need any complications. (You will have to be patient for that, but I have seen them around that price).

If you are ok with smaller watch size, then maybe used older Rolex Air King can be had for around $1600 and they boast in-house movement. (maybe too small for your wrist, but it is all up to personal preference. I have a co-worker who wears 34mm watch and has around 8" wrist.

For brand new watch in your budget, I would suggest you look at Stowa Pro Diver for Superb fit and finish and you can get it with COSC cert model if movement quality is of concern to you (even non-COSC ones are top grade ETA I believe).

 

I agree with Oris and Hamilton Autos

 

Another Seiko.
cottontop

 

This is a trick question since Seiko isn't just low end watches - they have the widest range of watches of any manufacturer, really, from sub $50 intro models to $8000 Grand Seiko models. So to "upgrade" from a Seiko.....well you get my point.

In the $1000-1500 price range, check out the smaller brands such as Zixen, Benarus, Korsbek, etc... -

 

There are so many different answers to this question that we are all going to have something different to say. My suggestion takes a slightly different track: look first for styles and features that interest you, then worry about specific models and prices. You might find yourself spending less than you expect.

Mike

 

OP already said he wants a watch that is dressier but not too formal, around $1000, not too many complications, for a 8"+ wrist.
I agree with Retrograde's suggestion of Oris, they have many >40mm watches that fit your criteria.

 

If you like Seiko but want a bit of a change, look at top-of-the-line Citizen. Or look at Mido for reasonably-priced COSC watches if you want to go Swiss - not sure what they have in quartz but the MultiFort, Commander, and particularly IMO All Dial models are all very nice.

Better? Dunno. Different, though.

 

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions.

 

You started with some of the same watches I did..... You done simply Quartz, Quartz Chrono and Kinetic, this is my advise....
Its time to star with automatic, research movement first; in my opinion the best to begin is the ETA 2824 3 hand Movt. Its beautiful, classic and it's a most have..... Every mayor brand (Tissot, Hamilton, Longines, Baumer & Mercier, etc...) Uses it... If you want automatic Chrono go with basics Valjoux 7750,7751 which is use by every major brand also..... You can star with a budget of under $1000, if you take your time you can get a great deal with Hamilton or Victorinox (Victorinox just came out with new lines you can pick up their 2 to 3 years brand new model very cheap)...... Good luck shopping and have fun....