Seiko Steel bracelets :(

[Multum in parvo]

Had the chance to try on a couple of Seiko Prospex today at a B&M including a 1.5k Willard and I’m seriously underwhelmed by the feel and quality of their bracelets and clasps.

They feel thin, flimsy and rattle. I know it’s a big operation and they offer their products at competitive prices but this detracts from the general quality of their watches.

On the other hand I can now better understand the business model of places like Strapcode that offer excellent milled aftermarket bands and clasps that bring your Seiko to the level it deserves.

 

[MrSpeedy]

Try the aftermarket bands from Uncle Seiko; they are very good.

 

[Multum in parvo]

Try the aftermarket bands from Uncle Seiko; they are very good.

They really look nice and he offers some options for Tudor as well

 

[Vedak]

I've never liked factory Seiko either, until you go to the grand seikos (which I can't afford). Strapcode has been my go-to, but uncle seiko is on my wishlist. Depending on the occasion I switch the strap materials often.

Seiko does a great job with their rubber straps on the prospex line imo.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I have a pretty old Seiko... and the band is actually pretty nice. I guess it's 17 years old, at least.

 

[ColtRevolver]

I have always thought the band on my Seiko Monster is pretty good. Maybe I don't actually know what good is...lol

 

[Chandu]

I have always thought the band on my Seiko Monster is pretty good. Maybe I don't actually know what good is...lol

Having owned a Monster years ago, I would say they are good quality bracelets. Many other Seiko's I've seen are not at that level.

The monster has solid links. Folded links tend to be hollow rattling sounding.

 

[Vedak]

I have always thought the band on my Seiko Monster is pretty good. Maybe I don't actually know what good is...lol

None of them are terrible. All are pretty decent- depending on the task. I've never actually seen any metal bracelet break in person, They can however become sorta loose (links) over time from hard use. I used to have a Seiko Monster that had those "pin in collar" links. Had a pin fallout twice, but the bracelet never actually broke. Just odd luck for me I suppose.

I switched to rubber straps for this reason, but then the rubber starts to deteriorate over time.

 

[dojpros]

Anything made out of rubber is a consumable. Knowing and accepting that makes replacing said rubber strap every so often just the cost of doing business.

I tend to concur that Seiko would be a more competitive watch overall to buyers in the watch geek world if they charged 20-50 more depending on the watch and used sapphire in place of hardlex for crystals and "solidified" some of their bracelets.

500+ retail for a divers watch that has neither relative to an Orient and any number of micro brands on a daily basis and even the occasional Swiss/German/other Japanese offerings when caught on sale has me fairly sour on Seiko in this space.