Is There a Lexus-Toyota Thing Going with Seiko and Orient?

 

Ulysses writes:

Orient is wholly owned by Seiko, and they often use Seiko movements in better value models. For example, if you're lusting after a sweet Seiko mechanical chronograph, Orient provides a cheaper alternative.

All the quartz watches Ive ever used were rated at +/- 15 seconds per month. Even low end Seikos are sometimes reported as having good accuracy, around +/- 3 to 5 seconds per day - far better than the manufacturer states.

(The above photo is from an excellent watchuseek review of the Orient M-Force SEL03002M.) 

Comments

[jonnybardo]

But the question is, which is Lexus and which is Toyota (Or Acura/Honda)? You seemt o be saying that Seiko is Lexus and Orient is Toyota, but I'm not convinced it isn't the other way - or at least that Seiko seems to offer a wider range and more inexpensive (<$200) watches. The low-end Orients seem to be in the $150-200 range, whereas there are some Seikos in the $100-150 range.

If Seiko is Lexus, then the corresponding Toyota would likely be Pulsar, possibly Lorus. Orient may be more of a "parellel" line to Seiko - more centered on the moderate-to-semi-luxury ($200-1000) ranges, whereas Seiko runs the gamut from inexpensive to true luxury ($100-$5000 or so).

[herculodge]

I don't think there is a true clear tier here. But I notice one complaint among reviewers about both models in the 300-600 dollar range: Need better bracelet quality. I'm talking about the auto divers here.

[DanHL]

Grand Seiko Spring Drive models sell for around $10,000. The Seiko Credor Minute Repeater sells for $400,000

http://www.hodinkee.com/2011/11/28/listen-the-400000-seiko-credor-minute-repeater.html

The appeal of an Orient watch is that they are affordable yet their movements are made and designed by Orient in house. I am not aware of Orient watches using Seiko movements.

[DanHL]

I should add that is why I would much prefer a Seiko watch over Swiss watch with a fake heritage such as the modern Breitling. (The real Breitling company was dissolved in 1979)

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f15/sinn-903-vs-aviation-o-w-vs-breitling-4801.html

Seiko makes every part from the crystals to difficult to manufacture parts such as hairsprings. Breitling purchases their movements from ETA and then makes modifications.