With its upward price trend, is Seiko risking what made it such a great brand? Sure, I know that top-end pieces like the Grand Seiko stand apart. But entry- and mid-range prices for Seiko creep ever onwards and upwards, and I wonder if it risks what made Seiko terrific.
The latest Seiko 5 Sports watches are £250 or more, yet this range used to be an accessible gateway to a decent mechanical timepiece. In contrast, Citizen automatics remain incredible value. I’ve been looking at Seiko Prospex and Citizen Promaster auto divers – for the same money, Citizen appears to offer far more watch. I know Seiko has a cult-like following, but with a finite budget, the world of Citizen looks more and more appealing. For under £400, I can find a Citizen watch with the same spec as a Seiko Shogun! (Fancy scratch-resistant titanium, automatic, ISO diver, etc.)
Could Citizen become the new Seiko?