Is What a Coworker Told Me Seeing My Seiko Presage

This all started with a casual moment at work. I was proudly glancing at my wrist, which was graced by the rather charismatic Seiko Presage—a watch that, in my humble opinion, strikes the perfect chord between style, heritage, and bang-for-your-buck.

Out of nowhere, a coworker leans over and says:

"Seikos are known to be expensive watches."

Wait, what now? Seiko expensive? My brow furrowed like a detective who just discovered a red herring in a classic noir.

So, naturally, I asked, "Why do you say that?"

She replied,

"Anything that costs more than 150€ is expensive."

At this point, I took a deep breath and said to myself,

"Well, maybe it's time to get our heads out of our... watches."

Yes, that’s right. Let’s admit it: In the watch world—where a simple bracelet can cost more than a small car repair and a luxury Swiss timepiece might set you back enough cash to briefly consider selling a kidney—our perceptions of what makes a watch “expensive” can be hilariously warped.

So, What’s the Story with Seiko and Price?

Seiko, as a brand, runs the full gamut: from affordable everyday reliability in the $100 range to luxurious masterpieces like the Grand Seiko that flirt with five-figure price tags. The Presage, my friend, sits comfortably in the mid-tier, offering an incredible blend of craftsmanship, mechanical magic, and design that punches way above its weight.

Now, 150€ as a hard “expensive” line is adorable but wildly off the mark if you’ve ever dipped a toe into the horological ocean. Heck, some brands start charging your soul north of $500 just for the "swiss-made" label stamped on a minimalist dial.

Marketing Pictures vs. Reality — Why Do They Drive Us Crazy?

Speaking of perceptions, let’s talk about another sore spot: marketing images. A recent gripe I found popping up is that some brands just don’t use pictures of their watches how we’ll actually see them “in the wild” — on our wrists, with the straps they include.

Take the Skymaster, for example. Those elongated lugs? Yeah, they’re beautiful in glossy marketing shots but tend to make standard straps look awkward at best. Trying to find a genuine photo of the rubber strap in action? Good luck!

Bracelet fans, you might be fine, but the absence of real-life strap pics leaves a distinctly bitter aftertaste. Is it so difficult to show us how it really sits, moves, or creaks after a day of wear? One could argue those marketing sneaky-edits are like telling us the watch is a barefoot beach stroll, only to deliver a trip through gravel.

The Truth is in the Stories Behind the Watches

Flip the script from modern marketing gloss to some of the genuine love and history wrapped around vintage pieces shared by enthusiasts:

• Like the lady who “went rogue” and won a solid gold watch at an auction from the 1950s. An absolute gem steeped in history.
• Or the story of a watch gifted by the Air Force in the 70s-80s, cleaned and pampered by a trusted Rolex service. These watches come with stories that add layers far beyond what any retail price can match.
• The saga of tariff frustrations, where buyers wrestle with duties unexpectedly inflating costs to triple the expected—sparking black market fantasies worthy of a smuggling thriller. A $2900 watch suddenly carrying an extra $986 tariff? The horror, the outrage, the absurdity!

It’s these stories, struggles, and serendipitous finds that infuse watches with meaning beyond the dial and ticks.

Why Our Watch Obsession Shouldn’t Make Us Lose Perspective

I get it—watch collecting and fandom can turn folks into fierce brand defenders and price wardens. But the true joy lies in appreciating what a watch represents: craftsmanship, memories, milestones, and personal style.

When someone thinks a Seiko is “expensive” because it costs more than €150, it’s a reminder we should probably zoom out and recalibrate.

So What Would I Tell That Coworker Now?

I’d smile and say, "Welcome to the world of watches, where value is as much about heart as it is about euros." Whether it’s a Seiko Presage, a crusty digital Casio, or a six-figure Swiss masterpiece, the right watch is the one that speaks to you.

And perhaps, just maybe, it’s time we all got our heads a little closer to our wrists, rather than stuck in price charts or marketing images. Because there’s a world of stories ticking beneath those dials, if you care to look.

So here’s to less “expensive” policing and more wrist love.

Cheers, and wear your watch like you mean it!