I just finished a big project at work and want to reward myself with a new watch. It will be pretty much an everyday watch except for more formal business occasions. I have had my eye on a Marinemaster for a long time. Most owners of the Marinemaster give it excellent reviews here.
I have worn a Rolex Seadweller in the past. How do these watches compare in terms of overall quality, size, fit, finish, accuracy and comfort? I am most concerned about the size and weight of the Marinemaster as this seems to be the biggest complaint of some owners or former owners. Is it too big and thick for everyday use? The Seadweller has been called a ??hockey puck?. Is the Marinemaster in the same category or is it better balanced?
Is the bracelet on the Marinemaster of a high quality? Is it easily adjustable? Since I am not a big fan of rubber straps, what are some recommendations for non-SS replacements? What is the lug width?
For some reason, I prefer watches with very bright luminescence. How does the Marinemaster compare in this category to the Monsters or the 007?
Any other comments or thoughts from Marinemaster owners would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.
Responses
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Submariner / Seadweller vs Seiko MM - Mark Petry on Jul 18, 2004, 07:45 AM
Howard
Much has been written on the comparisons of these two watches. I have not owned a Sub/Seadweller but have owned Rolexes and I would say the MM is every bit the quality in terms of fit and finish of the Rolex. In fact the Seiko MM might be a little BETTER finished than the Rolex. The MM's bracelet is very high quality - again, every bit as good as the Rolex.
The Rolex Sub and Seadweller are very similar watches, really, the Seadweller has the helium release valve and no date, there are a few other differences too but the case and movement are very similar.
I think the main differences are - first, the Marinemaster is a TALLER watch and probably heavier. It is really heavy and quite noticeably more bulky. It will not fit gracefully under your shirt cuff.
And second, you will never see another person wearing a Marine Master, you will never be able to explain to anybody what it is or why it's cool. It's unique appeal and provenance must appeal to YOU - in other words don't buy it because you think other people will appreciate it. The Rolex is the exact opposite - if you go to a party, you'll see 3 other people wearing them and most people understand exactly what it is, therefore you get a lot more affirmation of your choice - if that's important to you.
The MM is also HALF the price of the Rolex - there was somebody offering the commemorative edition on the trading forum - I believe I would go for that watch if still available.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA
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Submariner / Seadweller vs Seiko MM - rambo on Jul 18, 2004, 08:16 AM
Couple comments. The SD does have the date, without the magnifier. There was (still is?) a version of the SD without the date at all.
The SD is my grail. One thing that turns me off about the MM is that you can only get it worked on in Japan. And I'm concerned about the availability of parts 10 years from now. You know how Seiko is. They don't stock the parts that long. I have no such concern about parts and availability of service for the SD. One other big downside to the MM to me is the lack of a sapphire crystal. I don't want to wear a $1700 watch with a scratched crystal.
I'd actually like to have a Submariner if I could get the magnifier removed (I REALLY don't like it) as I don't need the SD's 4000 feet rating and would like the thinner profile of the Sub. My ultimate grail would be an all gold Submariner. But I think they're around $15k and I don't want somebody chopping my hand off to take it from me (I read about a case like that).
One downside of owning an SD or Submariner is that, while everybody recognizes it as a Rolex, nearly everyone will ask you if it's real. I do it. I did it at a gun show yesterday. A guy had an all gold GMT and I asked if it was the real deal. That's got to get old to them. I've already decided that, if I buy a Rolex, I'm going to answer everyone that no, it's a copy. ;->
rambo
This message has been edited by rambo-2000 from IP address 24.207.183.4 on Jul 18, 2004 8:12 AM
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where i live the rolexes are real and the authenticity of the people are suspect...:)..... - ed rader on Jul 18, 2004, 09:48 AM
i had to add that because in san jose no one asks if a rolex is fake...
...at least no one i've talked to.
i've owned the submariner and have never seen the marine master but my concerns with the MM are the same as yours. even randall sent his MM back to japan for regulation.
the hardlex crystal is frankly a deal killer for me, as well as the size. i'm sure the MM is a great watch but i see the MM as more of a luxury item than the rolex because it wouldn't be a watch that i would wear often.
that said, a mint SD will run you at least $3500.....and that's a lot of dough.
so what did i do?
i wear a tudor hydronaut, which i got LN for about 1/2 of what a MM costs.
ed rader
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Rambo, you could get a no-date sub> - TheJohnB on Jul 18, 2004, 10:18 AM
without the magnifier, it looks pretty clean too.
I know what you mean with those cyclops, thats why I love Seiko divers, nice smooth face.
JB
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Rambo, you could get a no-date sub> - TheJohnB on Jul 18, 2004, 10:18 AM
without the magnifier, it looks pretty clean too.
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How does the Omega SMP stack up against the MM and Rolexes? - nt - Time2Fly on Jul 18, 2004, 11:51 AM
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i wore an SMP every day for 4 years and then bought a rolex sub..... - ed rader on Jul 18, 2004, 01:48 PM
i remember when i handled my first rolex sub how little it seemed next to the SMP....and how unimpressive.
i kept the sub for 8 months and sold it.
they are both great watches but the SMP is for sure the better value especially if you buy used.
one day i'll own a seamaster GMT because the whole idea of the extra crown on the SMP doesn't appeal to me. and i have also been considerng a rolex GMT.
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i wore an SMP every day for 4 years and then bought a rolex sub..... - ed rader on Jul 18, 2004, 01:48 PM
i remember when i handled my first rolex sub how little it seemed next to the SMP....and how unimpressive.
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I saw a no-date SUBMARINER today... - Jack Elias on Jul 18, 2004, 04:52 PM
At Liljenquist & Beckstead (fancy watch store in Virginia)
It said SUBMARINER on the dial. It had NO DATE.
It was right next to a Sea Dweller and looked quite similar except for no Helium valve.
Rolex's website says nothing about such a thing.
I guess I should've asked.
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where i live the rolexes are real and the authenticity of the people are suspect...:)..... - ed rader on Jul 18, 2004, 09:48 AM
i had to add that because in san jose no one asks if a rolex is fake...
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Submariner / Seadweller vs Seiko MM - rambo on Jul 18, 2004, 08:16 AM
Couple comments. The SD does have the date, without the magnifier. There was (still is?) a version of the SD without the date at all.
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-heres what I think.... - Farmer_rob on Jul 18, 2004, 08:15 AM
you asked a few questions and I think most would agree with this point of view-
u asked about overall quality, size, fit, finish, accuracy and comfort:
Were talking about two flagship models here, so fans of either will spew on about it- but having worn both at one time or another lemme say they're both great- not a single complaint, I'm sure someone will spew out an anomoly, but these are sweet pieces-
so it boils down for me as such- The MM is a bit larger wrist presence, you're really only going to adjust a bracelet once, and thats a snap on either (heck, most jewellers will do it free) The bracelet quality is fine- lum on a MM is good, I don't remember the Rolly lum- I'm guessing not quite as bright....
Rolex is a product much like diamond- it is a product of superior advertising in the 1950's. It has become iconic even though many comapnies produce a similar or higher movement/case for less- sometimes half- I mean- look at Grand Seiko, whose movement has been touted in several watch magazines as the best of the best at one or another- or an Omega Speedmaster- truly the best design of the 60's & 70's is still kicking booty today-
so it's a question asthetics and ego- are you going to be prancing about at office saying "look at my new Rolly" because people know what that is (sorta)?? Or are you secure enough to go solely on what appears to you to be the look you most enjoy...
The watch I get most comments on is O&W XXL hand wind- because when I wind it, it sounds like a machine gun rattling (Unitas 6497)- My holy grail is an O&W Yacht Master- another $300 plain jane mule- but has the internal of watches costing 10x as much...
With all things being fairly equal-Both are solid choices- I'd go MM just beacuase the pack goes Rolex and I don't need to that
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MM as my everyday watch. - Scott Gearhart on Jul 18, 2004, 08:47 AM
Hi Howard,
I wear my MM everyday(read: all the time)- it's my hands down favorite (come to think of it, I have rammed it under a couple of dress cuffs). I've never had a problem with the weight of the watch. I think that in some cases people convince themselves that the MM is extraordinarily heavy. Don't get me wrong, it is a heavy watch, but if you size the bracelet so that it's not too loose then it's very comfy. The bracelet is a work of art and the ratchet extension is fantastic! On the very few occasions when the weather is hot and humid and my arm swells, it's a piece of cake to ratchet the bracelet out one click- then it fits great again. The lume is outstanding. Better than my 007 and about the same as my Monster. The Monsters markers are larger and so they may seem a touch brighter-really they are about the same.
I don't have a problem with the MM not having a sapphire crystal. Sure, you'd hear no complaints from me if it had sapphire, but the bottom line is that any watch can get junked up. I've been hard on my 007 and Monster and not a scratch on the crystal. Come to think of it, I've winced a few precarious times wearing the MM only to find a clean and clear crystal.
I hope this helps. Have fun with either watch you end up getting!
Regards,
Scott
This message has been edited by sgearhart from IP address 68.106.103.119 on Jul 18, 2004 8:48 AM
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