28-01-2011, 05:40 PM
I have read a few bloggs on the net where the Seiko Marinemaster has been compared to the Rolex Submariner.Most i think written by Seiko enthusiastics.I have owned many Rolex dive watches from the first Sub 40 years ago to the Deep Sea 3 monthes ago.I have also owned a couple of Seikos in the past.I was becoming afraid to use my Rolex as a daily watch for hard use in case i got a hack in it.That would make it very difficult to sell in todays watch market.So i thought what i need is a very tough Tool watch that still looks good for hard use and does not cost a small fortune.I considerd many brands Sinn Omega IWC for a used watch.Then i thought Seiko who are well known for making reliable watches for reasonable money.So i contacted our site expert on Seiko Joepete who suggested several Seiko divers to me.I started to read everthing Seiko i could find on the net.After 4 hours reading every day for 2 weeks i had found the watch i wanted.After reading all the writeups on the Seiko Marinemaster Prospex SBDX001 i thought this sounds to good to be true.So i found a 2010 model used in Germany paid 1580 euro and now i am the owner.After examining this watch i have to say i understand why the Rolex is really the only comparison to this watch.They look alike in some ways and their history is very similar.Rolex and Seiko have been making the most sold dive watches on the planet for over 40 years.But there can be no doubt that the sub is the inspiration for the Seiko and most other divers out there.This review is not a contest about witch watch is better because they are both great watches but in different ways.I will begin with a few tecnical details about both watches.
Rolex Submariner
power reserve= 47 hours
auto 3135 caliber
sapphire lens
case 40.mm
thickness 13 mm
Seiko Marinemaster
power reserve= 50 hours
auto 8L35A caliber
case 44.mm
thickness14.6 mm
The Rolex caliber is well known as maybe the strongest caliber ever put into a wristwatch.It is reliable and can take years of hard treatment without letting you down.It is a simple caliber compaired to other swiss top brands and the finish is no better than a top ETA caliber.The Seiko caliber is a high end caliber without the finish or adjustment that Seiko give it when it is used in their Grand Seiko models.It is hand put together in the Morioka factory by just 21 of Seiko elite watchmakers as is the rest of the watch.This factory is where Seiko build their top models so i think we can say that the quality of this caliber is beyond dispute.This caliber has been in production for 10 years without problems i know about.So i think it is fair to say that you get a inhouse caliber in both watches.The Seiko is maybe a little more in house than Rolex they even make their own oil
The Seiko caliber is not yet as field tested over time as the Rolex but i think that the quality of the seiko is just as good if not better.
The case of the Seiko is a Monocoque and the only way into it is from the front.You have to remove the diving ring and the lens to get at the insides.This means it is very strong and does not need a hellium valve for its 300 meter depth rating.The finish on the case is superb.A very smooth case with no sharp edges.The diving ring turns with a nice click and the finish again superb.The face of this watch is fantastic in the detail and how easy it is to read.Seiko have the best luminous paint in the watch world.It is the best dial i have ever seen on a diver.The crown on this watch is in my opinion not as well made as the Rolex.But it works and Seiko have used it for years.The bracelet is very well made and solid with maybe the best expansion system for divers i have seen.It is so simple to use and the push butten release on the strap is i think better than the Rolex for every day use.The finish on this watch and the detail are in a different class to the average Seiko and of course so is the price.
The Rolex case is thinner than the Seiko and it has more sharp edges to get dents in.The finish well what can you say that as not been said before.I will not bore you by talking about the most talked about watch on the planet in to much detail.Beautiful work sums it up quite well.So i will give you some negative things about the Rolex to think about.The dial is not the most readabel out there the Seiko is much better.The case is not practical for a diver the sharp edges are a bad design.The strap has been improved some what .It is stronger than it used to be the links on the new models are much better.But compaired to a lot of other divers the Rolex bracelet is old fashioned and out of date.The bracelet has also sharp edges the Seiko has a more comfortable bracelet by far.The rolex comes with a sapphire lens nearly scratch proof but can shatter in extreme situations.Seiko have given the Marinemaster a hardex lens easier to scratch but shatter proof.
Rolex produce around 1 million watches a year Seiko 30 million they are big players in the watch world.Rolex are more high end than Seiko at this time but Seiko have a history in the watch world that is at least the equal of Rolex.And Seiko are going up market.They still have a lot to learn from the old Swiss watch houses but they will get there.Watches like the Grand Seiko line and the Prospect Marinemasters prove this.
To sum up how does the Marinemaster compare to the sub? It does not they are different watches made for different use.The Rolex is no longer a tool watch or diver for that matter.It is a solid beautifull memory of what it used to be before Rolex gave it a Botex treatment.They have not progressed at all just sat back and made no real improvment to the sub.I mean have they never thought about a rubber strap for it for example.Or learning from other brands about what a real tool diver should be able to do.Would i buy a Rolex again? Yes i think it is a fantastic watch as a dress or everyday watch for light use.Rolex have priced themselfs out of the everyday hard use watch market and thats a fact of life.Quality wise i do not think there is a great difference between the Marinemaster and the Submariner.The Seiko costs ca.2500euro new and can only be obtained at this time from Japan.Used examples can be found on the net.It is a rarer watch than the Sub and i think it will hold its price very well in the future.The Sub is like having money in the bank at this time.But i for one am sure that for every year that goes by in the future they will keep a good price.This state of affairs could change just look how many Subs are made every year now compaired to the past.Rolex used to be for the few now everyone has one The new price of the Rolex is ca.6000 euro
So the Seiko Marinemaster is in my opinion one of and maybe the best tool watch diver i have seen.It cannot really be compaired to anything in the market today when you look at the price and quality of this watch it stands alone.
It has not been my intention to put down another brand in this piece just to give my honest opinion on 2 watches i like and admire.I would like to thank Joepete for his advice.All the details are taken from the net and Other scources.But the opinion is just mine Willy
Rolex Submariner
power reserve= 47 hours
auto 3135 caliber
sapphire lens
case 40.mm
thickness 13 mm
Seiko Marinemaster
power reserve= 50 hours
auto 8L35A caliber
case 44.mm
thickness14.6 mm
The Rolex caliber is well known as maybe the strongest caliber ever put into a wristwatch.It is reliable and can take years of hard treatment without letting you down.It is a simple caliber compaired to other swiss top brands and the finish is no better than a top ETA caliber.The Seiko caliber is a high end caliber without the finish or adjustment that Seiko give it when it is used in their Grand Seiko models.It is hand put together in the Morioka factory by just 21 of Seiko elite watchmakers as is the rest of the watch.This factory is where Seiko build their top models so i think we can say that the quality of this caliber is beyond dispute.This caliber has been in production for 10 years without problems i know about.So i think it is fair to say that you get a inhouse caliber in both watches.The Seiko is maybe a little more in house than Rolex they even make their own oil
The Seiko caliber is not yet as field tested over time as the Rolex but i think that the quality of the seiko is just as good if not better.The case of the Seiko is a Monocoque and the only way into it is from the front.You have to remove the diving ring and the lens to get at the insides.This means it is very strong and does not need a hellium valve for its 300 meter depth rating.The finish on the case is superb.A very smooth case with no sharp edges.The diving ring turns with a nice click and the finish again superb.The face of this watch is fantastic in the detail and how easy it is to read.Seiko have the best luminous paint in the watch world.It is the best dial i have ever seen on a diver.The crown on this watch is in my opinion not as well made as the Rolex.But it works and Seiko have used it for years.The bracelet is very well made and solid with maybe the best expansion system for divers i have seen.It is so simple to use and the push butten release on the strap is i think better than the Rolex for every day use.The finish on this watch and the detail are in a different class to the average Seiko and of course so is the price.
The Rolex case is thinner than the Seiko and it has more sharp edges to get dents in.The finish well what can you say that as not been said before.I will not bore you by talking about the most talked about watch on the planet in to much detail.Beautiful work sums it up quite well.So i will give you some negative things about the Rolex to think about.The dial is not the most readabel out there the Seiko is much better.The case is not practical for a diver the sharp edges are a bad design.The strap has been improved some what .It is stronger than it used to be the links on the new models are much better.But compaired to a lot of other divers the Rolex bracelet is old fashioned and out of date.The bracelet has also sharp edges the Seiko has a more comfortable bracelet by far.The rolex comes with a sapphire lens nearly scratch proof but can shatter in extreme situations.Seiko have given the Marinemaster a hardex lens easier to scratch but shatter proof.
Rolex produce around 1 million watches a year Seiko 30 million they are big players in the watch world.Rolex are more high end than Seiko at this time but Seiko have a history in the watch world that is at least the equal of Rolex.And Seiko are going up market.They still have a lot to learn from the old Swiss watch houses but they will get there.Watches like the Grand Seiko line and the Prospect Marinemasters prove this.
To sum up how does the Marinemaster compare to the sub? It does not they are different watches made for different use.The Rolex is no longer a tool watch or diver for that matter.It is a solid beautifull memory of what it used to be before Rolex gave it a Botex treatment.They have not progressed at all just sat back and made no real improvment to the sub.I mean have they never thought about a rubber strap for it for example.Or learning from other brands about what a real tool diver should be able to do.Would i buy a Rolex again? Yes i think it is a fantastic watch as a dress or everyday watch for light use.Rolex have priced themselfs out of the everyday hard use watch market and thats a fact of life.Quality wise i do not think there is a great difference between the Marinemaster and the Submariner.The Seiko costs ca.2500euro new and can only be obtained at this time from Japan.Used examples can be found on the net.It is a rarer watch than the Sub and i think it will hold its price very well in the future.The Sub is like having money in the bank at this time.But i for one am sure that for every year that goes by in the future they will keep a good price.This state of affairs could change just look how many Subs are made every year now compaired to the past.Rolex used to be for the few now everyone has one
The new price of the Rolex is ca.6000 euroSo the Seiko Marinemaster is in my opinion one of and maybe the best tool watch diver i have seen.It cannot really be compaired to anything in the market today when you look at the price and quality of this watch it stands alone.
It has not been my intention to put down another brand in this piece just to give my honest opinion on 2 watches i like and admire.I would like to thank Joepete for his advice.All the details are taken from the net and Other scources.But the opinion is just mine
Willy
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