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I agree with most of that but think they’re taking the piss with that pricing.
I think my problem is that I just don’t like the brand very much so I should probably just be quiet and let you all enjoy them 😊
jv-
Nah I get it. It's one very specific watch and it will sell like hot cakes because of what it is, and Seiko know that, hence the price. They will follow it with a blue dial version at the same price and that won't sell.
It isn't logical. The SLA017 wasn't logical, it's just something collectors want and because it's limited in numbers, those collectors are confident enough that they won't lose money. So they sell out straight away.
Objectively, yes, it's far too expensive. The SLA017 was about the same price when it came out in 2017 (so more expensive than this, adjusted for inflation), and the same discussions happened then. In terms of spec, movement and finishing it was basically the same as the Marinemaster 300 (except a lower water resistance rating), and yet it was twice the price of a Marinemaster. Truth is, those of us that love the 62MAS design line up to have our pants pulled down by Seiko when they deign to make a proper one.
Been seeing a lot of comments about how it should be this or that but those people are missing the point. It's pure fan service. Non-fans should probably just point and laugh, and move along.
Regal
They have a lot of heritage as a watchmaker. A lot of innovations, and a lot of very high quality watchmaking, but they are also a very large mass market watch company which is vertically integrated, i.e. they make every part of their watches themselves. There isn’t really a modern equivalent in the west.
They are aware that using the name Seiko across all these different ranges / levels is a problem in western markets where people mainly associate the brand name with cheap quartz watches from the ‘80s. But it is what it is. I think they’re making a lot of progress with Grand Seiko now.