Thanks for reporting in. I’m wearing my SNX427 right now as I write. Have you noticed that the hour indices on this military-inspired watch are shaped like bullets? You wear it more than your Omega? Considering the difference in the price between the two, that is really saying a lot… I’m pleased to hear that you are, like me, a fan of “the little watch that can”!

Regards,

Bryan

Well, I’ve been a very happy new owner of a black SNX427 with a NATO strap since January 13th. I simply forgot to write in about it until now. From getting all enthusiastic about the Seikos at work, I convinced a colleague to buy one too, and now whenever I see him in the hall, we ask each other “Do you have the time?” and compare how our Seikos are doing. My NATO strap hides the see-through movement, but all in all I love this watch. And find myself wearing it far more than my Omega Seamaster.

Regards,

Bryan

I purchased my watch from Lee Wee Wah at http://chronograph.com/store/index.asp … Your compliment has inspired me to wear my 427 this weekend. I believe you’ll enjoy the watch if you decide to get one. I sure do.

Regards,

Bryan

Best regards,

Jim Coyer

The Consumer Reports for watches idea is quite interesting.

I recently saw on C-Span an editor for Consumer Reports ask a question to a group of panelists at the Aspen Conference about a topic similar to the one you raise. His question was that since Gen Zers, those now 9 to 18 years old, don’t trust “experts” but rather put their faith in the “wisdom of the masses” on social networking sites — what will happen to publications like Consumer Reports in the future?

It’s a interesting question, because Consumer Reports is apparently losing revenue every year because of competition from free content online, and it’s not beyond the realm of possibilities that it will one day go out of production. I recommend Andrew Keen’s polemic on the subject, called The Cult of the Amateur, to those who want to purse this topic further. For more information, click on the picture below.

It’s interesting to see the poor reviews this good book got by many on Amazon.com. There is your “wisdom of the masses” at work. I couldn’t put it down. Borrowed it from the local library, and it was a thought-provoking read.

Regards,

Bryan

I think that a similar disussion can be made of the automobile. I note that you
have included a picture of your prize auto.

But there is one major difference between cars and watches, at least in the U.S. In
the U.S. we have the “Consumer’s Reports”, which carefully studies the repair records
of autos, and the performance of various auts, and so now, we have a much better picture
of what different brands actually do. For example, the repair record for Mercedes has
been about average, and this has really surprised a lot of people, while people have
noted the Toyota and Hondas have the best repair record. I think if it wasn’t for the
“Consumer’s Report”, people would still be talking about Mercedes, as if they were
the Rolexes, and the Patek Phillips of the car world.

Wouldn’t it be great, if we had a “Consumer’s Reports” for watches? That way, we would
not have to rely of rumors, and advertisements, and know more certainly how good each
watch is, and how important various features hold up, and function.

We would know that if we paid $10,000 for a particular watch, it was actually
worth every dollar. What do you think? I think this though is actually a bit
scary, because there is a possibility that some of my favorite watches could
perform poorly!

There is also the possibility that you and Pete W have enough know-how and status,
to set up a mini-”Consumer’s Report” in this forum, to actually have a functioning
report, of say 5 to 10 watches per type. That would be quite an interesting
development, and some years from now, that report would have formidable clout!
Watch companies would tremble when you guys walked by.

Can you imagine that, Paul

The only differences on those models is dial colors and straps vs. metal bands. Otherwise they are identical.

It’s my understanding that SNK809 and the other SNK80X watches are bigger, however. I’ve never see those in real life, but Lee Wee Wah lists them at 37mm so it appears they are larger than SNX42X models.

Regards,

Bryan

Those are excellent points. I’ve never been to Europe, so my impressions from what I’ve seen in the US and in Japan, as you point out, are not necessarily how things are in fact on the Continent. The whiskey comments are also good. I’ve never heard that before.

Thanks for sharing your information. Very interesting.

Regards,

Bryan

I think the difference between the European brands like Rolex and Omega, and Japanese ones like Seiko, may spring from cultural factors. My impression is that many European brands are elitist and more class conscious than Japanese ones. Rolex and Omega can’t make a $100 automatic watch for the masses because it would take away from their image as prestige brands. Like allowing the “wrong kind of people” to join an exclusive club.

If I’m not too far off with this line of thinking, perhaps the European and Japanese auto industries are another example. Whereas the many of the European car makers focus exclusively on the high-end market, Japanese companies make excellent cars that fit any budget.

Thanks for your comments and support. Appreciated!

Regards,

Bryan

1. It is interesting that there are some similarities to both watches,
both 35 mm, both have a military style face, both have a see through back, both
have that sandblasted case, that fabric band.
I guess the main difference is the movement, and the price, the 4S15 being some
what more expensive. In addition, the 7S26 is available as we speak, for about
$85, as you say.

2. Speaking of comparing the watches to a Rolex, I think that where the Rolex
has more Prestige-high price, the Seikos have more “Usability”. Many people do
not enjoy using a $10,000 to $20,000 dollar watch as a tool for daily use, or
banging it around underwater. In that sense, these Seikos are much more usable,
in my opinion.

Keep up the good work. You guys have written articles that have added a lot
to the pleasure of owning some Seikos, and these items are available to the “common
man” at a price the “common man” could pay. You guys seem to know a lot about the
background and behind the scenes events that make these articles so enjoyable. One
of these days, if the two of you put your articles together, you would have a
great book!

Thanks, Paul