Seiko Steel Strap Watches

Hi Folks;I knew the first model Kinetic chronograph was rare, in fact they commanded a premium when new. However I did not know how rare they actually are; in conversation with Seiko UK people today they mentioned that they get two shipments per year of this watch, each shipment is 14 watches. Yes you read that right, the UK a major market for Seiko watches gets 28 per year. Think about it, that makes them MUCH rarer than a Stainless Steel Daytona!!I got the background as to why Seiko do not sell the high price product (e.g. Credor/Grand Seiko) outside Japan, in the late 1970s Seiko bought a Swiss brand named Jean LaSalle; they made the world's thinnest mechanical & automatic watches at the time. Seiko's intention was to have the LaSalle brand as their high-end brand in Europe & the US. They applied this name to a range of quartz watches that (if I remember correctly) were quite unexceptional, other than their high price. When this plan failed, Seiko read the lesson as "never try to sell high priced product to the occidentals"; instead of the real lesson, which was "never try and sell high priced crappy watches to the occidentals". The new Kinetic Arctura chronographs which will sell for around 900�/$US and will be widely available are the first attempt by Seiko to retain some of the high ground. And, in some way, can be seen as the "pathfinders" for the Credor and Grand Seiko ranges to be introduced outside Japan.This shows the new Kinetic chronograph, with the hour & minute hands in a small sector towards the bottom of the watch and the running seconds at the 10 position. All these hands are in polished steel whilst the sweep seconds counter & the 45 min register both have blued steel hands; the watch is waterproof to 100m.Good LuckJames4/4/03

When looking for a stylish watch, there are many things that one should consider. Price is, of course, an important factor, but no less important is the look of the watch and its efficiency. Those looking for a stylish Asian watch should thus look into purchasing a Seiko watch.A History of the Seiko Watch and the Seiko CorporationThe Seiko Corporation which produces Seiko watches, is a Japanese watch company that was started by Kintaro Hattori in 1881. This first shop was both a jewelry and a watch shop, and it was located in Japan's Ginza area. In 1892, Hattori expanded his line of products to also include clocks, manufactured under the name of Seikosha.Despite having produced watches in the latter part of the 19th century, the first watches that were specifically known as Seiko watches did not appear on the market until 1924. A Seiko watch names the Seiko Astron was introduced onto the market in 1969. This watch was indeed notable, as it was the first production quartz watch. As such, it was quite expensive, costing the same amount that a medium-sized car at the time would.The Seiko Watch TodaySeiko watches today are used for a number of important events. Most notably, the Olympic games have used these watches as their official timekeepers because they are known to be amazingly accurate.Although the Seiko Corporation produces many different styles of watches, the most popular type of Seiko watch is the wristwatch. Since this company is one of only a few that manufacture every facet of the watch in-house, these watches are known also for their advanced technology.The Seiko brand manufactures both mechanical and quartz watches. Some of types of Seiko watches require no battery at all, as they are powered by everyday wear. Seiko watches vary according to price, with the cheapest generally being under $100 and the most expensive costing several thousand dollars.If one is a collector of these watches, it should be noted that the Seiko Corporation does not make every type of watch available in every area. Indeed, there are many types of these watches that are only available in Asia.If one is looking into purchasing a Seiko watch, one should first consult the phonebook for reputable watch dealers, or the internet. Indeed, this type of watch is the ideal choice for those looking for a watch that is both attractive and efficient.