Watch Decision

[RichB]

Forgive me, and this is a genuine question, you are all saying the Tao is a copy but is not the Seiko also simply a copy of a Rolex? What's the difference chaps?

Edited by RichB on Thursday 3rd February 20:49

[Stuart]

RichB said:

Forgive me, and this is a genuine question, you are all saying the Tao is a copy but is not the Seiko also simply a copy of a Rolex? What's the difference chaps?

Edited by RichB on Thursday 3rd February 20:49

IMHO the Seiko is a diver style watch. There are many, many companies offering diver style (big bezel, legible hands, case thickness determined by waterproof capability). Yes all may at some point taken inspiration from a Rolex, but Rolex don't currently make a PVD cased watch with a yellow band around the winder, and so Seiko have set out to make something unique looking. The TAO blatantly copies the style of a Panerai, and makes no apologies whatsoever for it.

[CommanderJameson]

RichB said:

Forgive me, and this is a genuine question, you are all saying the Tao is a copy but is not the Seiko also simply a copy of a Rolex? What's the difference chaps?

Hands, bezel, bracelet, case, markers - all different and substantially so. The date wheel is a different colour.

There are lots of black and white divers, and given the constraints of a dive watch, they're all going to have some similarities, but in this case, similarities are all they are.

The Tao is a clone of a Panerai; the case is the exact same shape, the numerals are the exact same, the hands are the exact same shape - even down to the crown protector, it's a carbon copy of a Panerai. Oh, it says "Tao International" on the dial, so that makes it an homage, not a clone.

[/sarcasm]

[sneijder]

Fifty Fathoms 1953



Submariner 1954



I however feel due to a dive watch being primarily a tool, it is what it is.

I doubt anyone could ever knock Seiko, they are the complete manufacturer. They do the lot from movements even down to the oil they use, spanning a rich history of innovation many are rightly envious of. You'll see folk on here lusting after them, from the £50 watch thread on here to serious collectors getting excited over Grand Seiko Spring Drives.

They're ace, and come the apocalypse there will be nothing but cockroaches and Seiko Monsters left.



OP, buy a Monster !

[Stuart]

sneijder said:

They're ace, and come the apocalypse there will be nothing but cockroaches and Seiko Monsters left.

I reckon my SKX007J will still be struggling on in this scenario, too. I didn't "get" the Seiko thing until this arrives, but I think I've become slightly obsessed by it.

[Dr Phibes]

Seiko all the way, and Creation are first class.

[andy400]

sneijder said:

OP, buy a Monster !

Bloody hell, that's gorgeous. What is it? Monster? How much? Where?

Andy likey.

[Stuart]

andy400 said:

Bloody hell, that's gorgeous. What is it? Monster? How much? Where?

Andy likey.

Buy with confidence here

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-dive...

[ApexJimi]

Stuart said:

andy400 said:

Bloody hell, that's gorgeous. What is it? Monster? How much? Where?

Andy likey.

Buy with confidence here

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-dive...

Agreed, you won't go wrong with Creation.

Have to say though, I like the Monster, but I reckon that's the first time I've heard someone describe it as gorgeous!!

[andy400]

ApexJimi said:

Agreed, you won't go wrong with Creation.

Have to say though, I like the Monster, but I reckon that's the first time I've heard someone describe it as gorgeous!!

Poor choice of adjective? I dunno, I just really like the way it looks.

[LukeBird]

RichB said:

Forgive me, and this is a genuine question, you are all saying the Tao is a copy but is not the Seiko also simply a copy of a Rolex? What's the difference chaps?

I agree with CJ & Stuart, there are enough differences between the two to make them different enough IMO.
As mentioned though, there is only so much you can change in a watch design on a divers' style watch.

[ApexJimi]

andy400 said:

Poor choice of adjective?

No, not at all. What I said was in jest - if you reckon it's gorgeous, knock yerself oot

Go for it, you won't regret it.

[andy400]

ApexJimi said:

No, not at all. What I said was in jest - if you reckon it's gorgeous, knock yerself oot

Go for it, you won't regret it.

I just might! Perhaps as a replacement for my stolen, irreplaceable 5 (ok, so that doesn't make sense, but you know what I mean)

[sneijder]

I bought a Monster with a rubber strap, the bracelet isn't all that apparently.

Google 'watchadoo', they do a fantastic bracelet especially for the Monsters bigger spring bars.

[CommanderJameson]

sneijder said:

I bought a Monster with a rubber strap, the bracelet isn't all that apparently.

Google 'watchadoo', they do a fantastic bracelet especially for the Monsters bigger spring bars.

I had a Monster on the bracelet, and it was very good. Solid links, very substantial whilst being comfy and not a hair-puller.

[MG511]

Someone mentioned price a few posts back, the Seiko will be over twice the price of the Tao (Tao is $85 or £52, Seiko will be £125+). I think I am right in saying that the Seiko will not hack or hand wind, which may be okay for a daily wearer but would put me off. I also think the Seiko is a 'generic divers style watch', if not a sub 'homage'. Tao do nicer watches than that in my view, like this B&R 'homage' http://store.taowatch.us/TAO-137BD.aspx which comes with leather and rubber straps. You could use the money you saved over the Seiko to buy http://store.taowatch.us/TAO-181BD.aspx, a Corum homage, and you'd still have change from that Seiko, even enough for this http://store.taowatch.us/TAO-082WD.aspx. I'd vote Tao, or Parnis, over Seiko, but I know I'm in a small minority on here.

[CardShark]

Can't go wrong with a Monster, mine says 'hello' -



As CJ says, the double locking bracelet is great, though when it comes to sizing it they're a bit tricky due to the pin/collar type of link used, nothing your local independant jeweller couldn't deal with though.

[RicksAlfas]

MG511 said:

will not hack or hand wind

What does that mean please? I've read it a few times on here.
Thanks!

[RichB]

LukeBird said:

I agree with CJ & Stuart, there are enough differences between the two to make them different enough IMO.
As mentioned though, there is only so much you can change in a watch design on a divers' style watch.

Fair enough, I understand, I'd mistakenly assumed that Rolex started the diver's watch thing in the 50s. As I don't like clunky watches nor metal braclets I've never taken much notice of the whole diver's watch area of the market but what's been said makes sense.

[CardShark]

RicksAlfas said:

What does that mean please? I've read it a few times on here.
Thanks!

Some automatics (those that have a weight that spins with the movement of the watch and winds the watch up) can also be hand wound as well by turning the crown, the the movement in the Monster and some others doesn't allow for this so the only way to keep it wound is to keep the watch moving. Hacking is when you can pull the crown out and it will stop the second hand from ticking, this would help you to sync with a precise time source, the Monster's second hand keeps on ticking even when you're turning the crown and changing the postions of the hour and minute hand.