Is What a Coworker Told Me Seeing My Seiko Presage

So there I was, flashing my beloved Seiko Presage at the office (okay, maybe I was just subtly checking the time between emails), when a coworker paused mid-conversation, her eyes locking onto my wrist. Then she surprised me with this:

"Seikos are known to be expensive watches."

Wait, what? I blinked, because my world of horology is a labyrinth, and Seiko is the gateway drug to the watch obsession. So I asked, "Why do you say that?"

Her answer? "Anything that costs more than 150€."

And there it was - the unspoken benchmark of "expensive watches" from someone who doesn’t live and breathe the tick-tock universe like we do.

The point I want to make by sharing this little office anecdote is simple: We should get our heads out of our own watch-obsessed asses.

What’s Expensive, Anyway?

In the fine world of watches, "expensive" can mean different things depending on who you ask. For some, spending 150€ on any watch means you might have a mortgage or two to pay back. For others, that's the budget for a dinner out or a single refill of their fancy coffee addiction. And then there are those breathing down banks to get their hands on multi-thousand-dollar wrist candy.

Seiko occupies a fascinating middle ground, famously known for providing fantastic quality and thoughtful design while being a responsible price point for most enthusiasts. But to the outsider, it’s "stepping into the world of expensive watches" - which is totally fine! This disparity in perception reminds us that value and expense are subjective. We watch nerds can learn to appreciate the joy in someone’s "luxury" watch, whatever that means to them.

Marketing Pics vs. Reality: The Strap Situation

Speaking of perception, have you noticed how watch brands tease us with those glamorous marketing shots? Perfectly styled leather straps, flawless bracelets, and angles that make the watch look like it stepped out of a collector’s dream.

I recently stumbled upon comments about the Seiko Skymaster—gorgeous watch, by the way—but the elongated lugs make the watch look a little off with any strap. The brand’s site had no pictures of the included rubber strap on an actual wrist. It's almost like they want us to imagine it as an accessory, rather than see the real-life situation. I mean, sure, if you’re a bracelet person, no big deal. But for strap lovers, that’s a bit of a bummer—it leaves a slightly bad taste in the mouth.

Going Rogue: The Solid Gold Case Story

On a totally different note, I heard a story about someone who “went rogue” and snagged a vintage timepiece from an auction—solid gold case, possibly from the 1950s, no less. Imagine the thrill of scoring a piece steeped in history, with decades of untold wrist-warrior stories wrapped inside that gleaming case.

That’s the kind of watch love fueled by guts and a thirst for the rare, not by retail catalogs and polished Instagram posts. It’s a reminder that watches are more than just price tags—they’re stories.

The Joys & Perils of Buying Watches Across Borders

Here’s another reality check for my fellow Canadians: ordering watches from sites like Jomashop can become a nightmare. One fellow enthusiast tried to order an $800 watch, expecting the normal taxes and import duties, totaling less than $200 extra. Instead, he was quoted over $1000 USD just for import charges.

Is this a glitch? Is the system broken? Turns out it’s a harsh reality of importing luxury goods across borders, sometimes killing the deal before your wrist even gets a chance to feel the metal. A sad reminder that collecting watches isn’t just about picking the right model but also about navigating customs policies.

What’s in a Brand? Oris, Grand Seiko, and the White Dial Dilemma

Speaking of brands and watches, debates about what makes a watch “worthy” never get old. Oris, for example, is a well-known Swiss brand with roots in pilot watches. Their Big Pointer Date model has a 40mm case, white steel bezel, a sleek domed crystal, and a see-through case back. It’s the kind of classic that feels timeless without having to shout from the rooftops.

Meanwhile, the watch collecting community is always buzzing about white dial watches. Favorites like Rolex’s Explorer 2 “Polar,” Omega’s Speedmaster Moonwatch White Dial, Cartier Santos, and Grand Seiko’s ethereal Spring Drive masterpieces all wrestle for the title of “best white dial.” Which one to pick? It often depends on lifestyle, wrist size, and even personal stories attached to the watch.

The Subtle Flex of Matching Subdials

It’s not all about the big names. I love hearing about simple joys, like the guy who noticed his Zenith's subdials perfectly matched the three other watches in his collection (Tudor, IWC, and Longines). Talk about subtle styling points—little details like these give a collection personality and unity.

And when he’s thinking about adding a green-dialed watch next, we’re reminded how watch collecting is not a girl or boy thing, but a personal journey filled with choices colored by your taste, your wrist, and your wallet.

From Smartwatches to First Mechanical Loves

Not everyone starts with a heavy-hitter mechanical. One story shared a fresh convert who began with a Galaxy Watch 6, then slipped slowly but surely into the deeper and more satisfying rabbit hole of mechanical watches with a gift from their significant other—a beautiful, green-dialed timepiece that feels like a "poor man’s PRX" but a gem nonetheless.

New collectors often grapple with price tags, obsess over sizing, and debate what fits their personal style best. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions and “Did I really just spend that much on a piece of metal?” moments.

A Final Thought: Let’s Get Our Heads Out of the Clouds

Back to my coworker’s delightful comment—it’s a pointed reminder to all of us watch enthusiasts. Sometimes, when we’re busy comparing chronograph complications, debating Seiko vs Swiss, or hunting for the perfect strap, we forget what watches mean to most people: a way to mark life’s moments, a touch of style, or just a piece of tech that tells time.

So whether your idea of an "expensive watch" is above 150€, above 1000€, or above 10k, what really matters is the joy it brings you, not the price on the tag or the brand flex it packs. Let’s celebrate the watch that makes YOU happy—and if it’s a Seiko Presage, well, you’re already doing just fine.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to check the time on my beloved watch and maybe drop some subtle hints to my SO for my next birthday present...