Re: New Gruen automatic or Seiko 5

On 25 Feb 2006 17:42:32 -0800, zayats@xxxxxxx wrote:

Dear friends,
I have a dilemma: I received 2 different watches - one is quite simple
Seiko 5 (just water resistant (no depth), 7S26 movement with 21 jewels,
stainless steel case with blue dial); another one is labeled Gruen
swiss automatic with 2824 Swiss movement (two color stainless steel
case and bracelet, 25 jewels, 330 ft water resistant). I believe the
Seiko is from Singapore, and the Gruen is assembled in China with swiss
movement. Both cost me 50 dollars each and look brand new.
The question is - which one do you think is better (more reliable, of
greater value etc)? I am going to keep only one.
Thanks for your comments

Depends on a lot of things. The 2824 is a more refined movement, the
7S26 more durable. If you plan to have them serviced regularly, they
will both last. If you aren't going to budget $50 or so every 5 years
to keep your $50 watch going, the Seiko will likely be the one that
lasts longer.

The movement in the Gruen is likely the best part of it by a wide
margin. While Gruen used to be a well-respected brand, that was
several generations ago and now they are mostly cheap Chinese quartz
watches sold at WalMart. Seiko is a "better" brand nowadays.

As for water resistance--Initially, the Gruen has a deeper rating, but
for everyday use either should be adequate, and again I'd trust the
Seiko to remain water resistant without maintenance longer, although I
have no evidence to back that up. Neither should be used for diving.
Don't know about accuracy. The 2824 can be had in various grades up
to a COSC-certified chronometer, but that isn't the one you get in the
Gruen.



--
A people who extend civil liberties only to preferred groups start down the
path either to a dictatorship of the right or the left."
-Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas
.

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