Seiko Marinemaster 300m SBDX001
 

I'm curious about this model (reference SBDX001). I've poked around but haven't found sound explanations of what one is getting for 5-6 times the amount that watches like the Samurais and Monsters offer. The Marinemaster costs what an upper-level ETA 2824-2 Swiss diver costs. It's attractive, but .... Anyone care to enlighten me?

redstart

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

That is an OUTSTANDING question, Red. I'd like to be enlightened as well, seeing as how I can buy a 1000m, german or swiss diver, with an eta 2824 or better, WITH a AR sapphire crystal for LESS money than an MM.

I understand the MM uses a better seiko movement but that's all I see really (on paper). Aren't asian watches supposed to be cheaper? :-D Or is Seiko enough of a "name" to pay extra for already.

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

Here's a link to a MM review...


http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...=1305566&rid=0

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

Thanks, Pete. I should have been clearer in that I was speaking of the 300m automatic, not the new Spring drive model, in which I have no purchasing interest. (I can't abide the styling.) Still, the review gave me some good historical reference, and I appreciate it. --redstart

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

I can find the same kind of review on german or swiss watches costing less. All that review made me is more interested in a Spring Drive. I'm not saying the MM sucks, it doesn't, but it doesn't explain why I should pay more for the 300m, unless I love it's looks or house movement, which isn't as accurate as alot of lower priced swiss/german watches.

If you said "I just like Seikos, and this watch rocks to me!" I'd accept that.

Re: Seiko Marinemaster 300m SBDX001
 

Not sure I can enlighten you, but I have only ever read good things about the MM. I used to lurk around a bit on TZ before coming to WUS, and I remember the MM being universally popular and very highly regarded amongst owners and Seiko enthusiasts. I understand that the build quality is excellent, and that the movement is extremeley accurate - something that unfortunately cannot be said for the lower-end Seiko auto movements.

The fact that one can be had new for not much more than a Doxa, or a Sinn U1, to name but two popular dive brands, makes me think that the MM is certainly not over priced.

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

I posted a few impressions of it on another forum a while ago:
http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15489

IMO it's a great watch for the money and I would pick it over many swiss alternatives (especially if we are talking 2824-2's).

My main grief with it is the mineral crystal, but I now have a spare sapphire bought from Jack (IWW) waiting in case I scratch the original.

It really is worth a try.

/Stefan

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

Finally!

Thanks for posting your own thoughts, in that very honest review. Sounds like you like it, and seems to be a great watch. Enjoy, Bro! BTW, I liked your Entry Pic for the banner contest.

Aloha,
Dave

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

Great review and pics!

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

Dave, glad I could be of help.

Since writing that "review" I cant say my opinion has changed much.
One change though is that I now have gotten used to the "only" 20mm bracelet and think it suits the watch very well.
The MM is an excellent watch in my book and opened my eyes quite a bit regarding Seiko in general.
I now also have a SBBN011 ("Vader Tuna"), a PVD/Ti Atlas (that one will hit the SC's shortly though) and a 6105-8119 incoming.
Would love to try a Grand Seiko in the future.

I have a few WIS friends that are only into swiss watches and so far everyone has been very surprised by the fit/finish of the MM.
I was in fact contacted by a watch magasine recently because they were doing a special on divers watches and had found out that I had a MM which they wanted to include in the article.
They came to look at it but decided to go with the "Vader Tuna" instead :-D .
Will be interesting to see their professional pics of it.

/Stefan

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

Thanks, appreciate your feedback :-) .

/Stefan

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

It's a pretty cool watch and built like a tank, I've owned two. I wouldn't pay more than $1,300 for one though, nor would I buy one not currently under the factory warranty. Of the two I owned, one had the sticking/jamming crown issue, some also have problems with the crown threads stripping.

I know a buddy that owned three of them, he had the sticking/jamming crown issue with two out of the three and had to have them repaired by Seiko Japan. It's a very expensive repair if the watch isn't under warranty. The new crown tube has to be electron-beam welded. Most of the Seiko Geeks will try to deny there is any crown issue with the MM, but send Higuchi an email and ask him how many he has had to send back to Seiko Japan for crown replacements. :roll:

I've talked to a few other owners that had the same problems. The Hardlex crystal is CRAP, and so is the bezel insert. They scratch/mar far too easily and are total fingerprint/smudge magnets. The expanding clasp that so many rave about is gimmicky IMHO. You hear a lot of guys say it's their grail watch yet there are an awful lot that turn up for sale/trade not too long after that.

Then there's what I call the "Seiko Stigma". No matter how hard you try, you'll never get a non-WIS to understand why you'd pay $1,300 - $3,000 for a "Seiko" watch. Seiko wants their Grand Seiko and PROSPEX line to be the equivalent of Lexus in the auto industry, but that will never happen. Seiko's just like their Swiss counterparts, they are in business to make BIG profits. When you consider the retail mark-up on a luxury watch is anywhere from six to twelve times over cost, then you realize the Marine Master is a $300-$500 watch, at best.

Keep in mind the article below is six years old now, so the retail mark-up has risen a lot since then, as the luxury watch industry has exploded.

http://www.forbes.com/global/2000/0918/0318046a.html

All I can say is buy one and try it out, if ya' don't like it, sell it on the forums. That applies to any watch. ;-)

Re: Seiko Marinemaster 300m SBDX001
 

Thanks Lord, like I said I don't think the MM is a crappy watch by any means.

But I actually bought a U1 over an MM. From bracelet, case to crystal, and specs...it's better. It's a personal preference there, imo. Plus mine has been losing a second a day on my winder/wrist since I got it.

I don't think comparing any watch's price to a Doxa is a comparison. Doxa really has no retail price like Seiko's, Sinn's etc. They aren't sold retail anywhere. Plus they just slap a new dial on one and VOILA, they got a new watch whose "limited" status seems to command higher prices from somewhere in the cosmos.

Thanks for the input, man!

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

The Seiko 300m Marine Master only has a 20mm bracelet that tapers down smaller at the clasp. ;-)

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

What a superb review, Stefan! Tack så mycket! We're all now so much informed than we were before. And your photography makes me want to throw away my camera! --redstart

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

Many thanks. Equally helpful. --redstart

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

Doh, typo on my behalf, should say 20mm of course :oops: .
It's bedtime for me...

/Stefan

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

Varsågod :-) .

/Stefan

Re: Seiko Marinemaster
 

Martin, my bad, thanks for catching that. Read the article. I meant to say SIX TO TWELVE TIME MARK-UP over cost. ;-)

"The manufacturer may double its manufacturing cost in arriving at a wholesale price to the distributor. The distributor in turn doubles its price in selling to the retailer, who doubles the price once again to the consumer. Before you know it, a watch that cost $500 to manufacture ends up with a price tag of $4,000 to $5,000."