Actually I did understand your point of view but disagree with you.

Mar 24, 2014,11:54 AM
 

As I said in my reply to you  "I do understand you wanted to compare comparable watches in terms of functionality and quality but then again why compare the Tissot Seastar with a Seiko 5 when the Tissot is 2.5 times the price of the Seiko 5? its not a fair comparison"


So I do understand you are taking the cheapest Japanese Watch and Swiss watch and trying to answer whether the price premium for a Swiss watch is justified and whether just because the Seiko 5 is 2.5 times cheaper than the Tissot is it a cheap badly made watch or not. I understand but that argument is neither fair to the Seiko or Tissot. If you want to compare watches they should be on the basis of technical features and price point. If I had a USD 1000 to spend which watch is better. That is the question.

You have stated that a USD 1,000 Seiko has no chance in Europe because of perception issues because Seiko produces cheaper models. I disagree with this point. There are far deeper historic, social and politically incorrect reasons for the perception that Seiko is not as good as a Swiss made watch. I doubt if these barriers can ever be overcome but there is and always will be a small core of enthusiasts which understand and are hungry for USD 1,000 and above Seiko watches. I have seen them on other forums. A very vocal and passionate group. Regardless I doubt Seiko has a problem since it can sell its total production of above USD 1,000 watches very easily in Asia, many new models get sold out very quickly.

S

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Japan vs. Switzerland: The Tissot Seastar 1000 and Seiko 5 Sports comparison review

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : March 23rd, 2014-16:03
Comparison review: Seiko 5 Sports and Tissot Seastar 1000 by Marcus Hanke The Seiko 5 is the cheapest sports watch classic with mechanical movement, while the Seastar 1000 is the most recent version a traditional sports watch series by the Swiss manufactu...  

Very Nice Review...

 
 By: SALMANPK : March 23rd, 2014-18:47
I really enjoyed your detailed comparison of the two pieces and great pictures as well. The only thing I would mention that the Seiko Marinemaster 300 SBDX001 would have been a better watch to compare with the Tissot Seastar. S

While the Prospex diver might be the better comparison ...

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : March 24th, 2014-02:53
... regarding the technology, it is nonetheless no alternative for my review, because: * unlike the Seiko 5 series, it is not available in all markets. For European enthusiasts, the only way to get one is either purchase pre-owned or import them directly ... 

I understand...

 
 By: SALMANPK : March 24th, 2014-09:32
It is a fair point that the Marinemaster SBDX001 might not be readily available in Europe. About costs I do understand you wanted to compare comparable watches in terms of functionality and quality but then again why compare the Tissot Seastar with a Seik...  

Sorry, you don't ...

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : March 24th, 2014-09:49
I fear I did not make my intention completely clear: I did not want to take two watches at the same price level and compare them in order to tell which one is better. I wanted to take the most inexpensive Asian sports watch (meaning: most inexpensive watc... 

Actually I did understand your point of view but disagree with you.

 
 By: SALMANPK : March 24th, 2014-11:54
As I said in my reply to you "I do understand you wanted to compare comparable watches in terms of functionality and quality but then again why compare the Tissot Seastar with a Seiko 5 when the Tissot is 2.5 times the price of the Seiko 5? its not a fair... 

I understand ...

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : March 25th, 2014-07:15
... and have to admit that your approach, to compare two watches in the same price range, might even be the more sound one. However, I think that the other approach is also justified: Too often we hear it is a folly to acquire the more expensive piece if ... 

Well Said Sir..

 
 By: SALMANPK : March 25th, 2014-16:40
I agree with you. S

Very nice review, Marcus!

 
 By: KIH : March 23rd, 2014-20:42
Thank you for your detailed full review. Not too familiar with Tissot, but SEIKO 4R movements are not that seriously regulated, but it could be adjusted to much better level (a few sec. per day on the daily wear use), provided it is done properly by the e... 

Seiko's adjustment specifications for the 4R36 ...

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : March 24th, 2014-02:43
... at least, as far as I could retrieve them, is +- 20 sec./day in the dial up position, and +- 30 sec/day in 6 up and 9 up, which is rather generous, I agree. However, as my own test showed, the movement is still within the chronometer specifications, e... 

Great review

 
 By: jml_watches : March 24th, 2014-05:00
Hi Great review of both watches. Have to say I have a Seiko 5 and it's a fab watch - a lot of watch for not a lot of money. Been looking at Tissot recently too and the blue dialed version of the one here is rather stunning. Their new powermatic chronomete... 

Thanks for this review / comparison

 
 By: cazalea : March 24th, 2014-10:33
Hi Marcus, Thanks for taking the time to put this together. I think your observations are fair. I'd like to comment on one thing - my wife has a similar Seiko chrono that she uses in her job as a physical education teacher. Here's the same strap after 2 y...  

Both great watches..

 
 By: jedimaster99 : March 24th, 2014-13:05
I've had Omega, handled Tissot, and love my 2 Seiko Solar (quartz) watches, a diver SNE107, and a chrono SSC001. You can't go wrong with either one of these, but Seiko really gives you more value overall. I'm half-Swiss, so I'm biased towards Swiss watche... 

Great insights on a worthy comparison.

 
 By: mkvc : March 25th, 2014-23:34
Your points about the wake-up call both watches should provide to higher-end watchmakers were graciously made, yet highly pertinent. Meanwhile, I gained a lot respect for each of the review subject watches.

Couldn't resist ....

 
 By: Shanwick777 : April 2nd, 2014-10:30
Great article on those watches Marcus! So ...... with just a colour difference, I pressed "Pay Now"

The "Pay Now" photo.

 
 By: Shanwick777 : April 2nd, 2014-10:39
...  

Great coincidence!!

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : April 2nd, 2014-12:30
Would be curious if you can confirm or refute my conclusions! Regards, Marcus

Japan vs Switzerland

 
 By: Shanwick777 : April 2nd, 2014-13:25
With both watches now on my hand, (literally..), I most certainly agree with all areas of your assessment especially where the lume is concerned. My Seastar dial version with it's white hands and hour markers pale in comparison to the Lumibrite on the Sei...