Today, we want to help you in valuing your wristwatch. So, we will be addressing the topic “how much is my Seiko watch worth?” If you have a Rolex watch and also want to learn how to value that as well, we also have an exhaustive article on that as well. Click here to read How Much Is My Rolex Worth? That said, let’s get into this article already.
The Seiko brand happens to be one of the oldest and luxurious brands of watches in our world today. Since its establishment in 1881, it has remained relevant due to its continuous strive for excellence, innovation, and technological advancement in all spheres.
Seiko watches have been commended for contributing higher levels of productivity with innovative and creative knowledge. Seiko watches are produced with a technology that is based on energy-saving structures known as Seiko’s Four Technology. These include mechanical, quartz, solar kinetic and spring devices. For instance, the Spring Drive Technology is exclusive to Seiko and it has contributed to the enhancement of self-technology.
Judging from market research analysis, the requirements of a standard, luxury watch are good quality, water resistance, price range, technology, styling, and durability. Although the Seiko watch will meet your needs in terms of technological features, its design is, however, not so attractive and it does not totally fulfill the requirements of the market.
Notwithstanding, it is referred to as the smallest watch brand in the world and it has been trusted for timing many football matches. This and many other of its qualities qualify it as being one of the most expensive wristwatch brands with the likes of Casio and Rolex as its competitors.
What Factors Will Determine The Worth Of My Seiko Watch
There are specific factors that watch experts, dealers, and buyers generally will look out for when you are about to sell your Seiko watch. Some of them include:
1. Authentication Papers
A proof of the purchase showing and authenticating the brand as a Seiko watch.
2. The Age Of The Watches
As well. Is the watch a new model or an old one? For how long have you been using it? It is only normal for the value of luxury items to depreciate in the process of being used.
In this case, older Seiko watches are known to be rarer which makes them popular for fetching higher prices than the new one. Whoever you want to sell to will need to know the decade the watch was produced. Sometimes, the manuals give you a clue but you can also consult watchmakers or use the case styling to find out the date.
3. The Condition Of The Watch
Is my watch still in perfect condition? Does my watch have any scuffs or scratches? How much wear and tear has occurred? Definitely, a Seiko watch that is in perfect condition will cost more than one that already has major non-working features.
4. Strap Type Of The Watch
What materials went into making your strap? Are they materials that depreciate or appreciate?
5. Original Packaging
If you present your watch expert, dealer or buyer with the original package (box and papers) that accompanied the watch, then you are validating the fact that you’re selling an original product and you are stirring up trust and confidence in the hearts of the buyers.
6. Additional Features
Does the watch come with precious gems like diamonds?
The above discussed factors will help you in evaluating your watch’s value and probably estimating a price range it can be sold for.
Steps To Valuing Your Seiko Watch
1. Find The Serial Number On Your Seiko Watch
On Seiko watches, you can easily figure out the serial number. Check the case backs of your Seiko watch, you’ll see a 6- to 7-character serial number. The second character of the numbers might be a letter but as long as the rest are numbers, you have nothing to fear. You can then use the serial number you find together with the movement number to figure out the year of manufacture.
You can calculate the month and the last digit of the date of manufacture by using the serial number and narrowing it down to a decade using your already prepared database of the movement manufacture dates. Afterward, you will be provided a link to ascertain the value like on the manuals and battery information.
2. Find Out The Retail Price
Your manufacturer’s date and retail price will assist you to find the retail price of your Seiko watch. The price you would want to resell it for will either be a little above the retail price or a few dollars below it. After you have applied all the factors we have considered correctly, you can go for either.
The price you finally settle for is significant. If you go for a higher price than the current retail price, then the model of the Seiko watch is most likely a rare type or is made with special materials like diamonds or gold. If you go for a lower price than the current retail price, then the model of your Seiko watch is a common one.
Notwithstanding, you have to be about your choices, you do not want to upset a buyer or enthusiast when he can get the same pre-owned watch at a lesser price.
3. Find Out The Current Market Prices
Valuating the worth of your watch is very subjective. If you have your Seiko watch in perfect condition and the packaging is still intact, you then have to start considering how much discount a potential buyer will be expecting from you.
4. Find Out The Market Demands
If your Seiko watch model happens to be highly demanded in the market, then you might want to set your prices high. On the flip side, if it is a model that people don’t really pay attention to or does not sell well, the amount an enthusiast or a buyer may be willing to offer might be very low judging from the point that it is most likely going to remain unbought for a while. Here are some of the most popular models of Seiko watches:
Getting The Best Price For Your Watch
Of course, being the owner of a luxury watch like Seiko, you want to make sure you’re selling it at a profitable price but many watch owners get clueless as to how to go about it. This is why dealers stand in a better position of helping you determine the value of your watch.
A dealer is meant to help you certify and authenticate your item to make your buyer repose trust and later on, the dealer is responsible for helping you ensure that you gain the best possible value for your watch.
If you don’t want to waste time trying to find a buyer for your Seiko watch, then it is better to hand it over to the dealer. As long as your watch works properly and has all the necessary accessories intact, you can go ahead to give it to a dealer. All the dealer has to do is make an appraisal of your watch and then give you an estimated price.
A good dealer will also have knowledge of the date and history of the watch and will be able to offer you good advice as to how to go about the prices. So, if the price works for you, go ahead to sell it. In the end, you’d understand that it pays to deal with a dealer.
Pawning Your Seiko Watch
If you want to go to a pawn shop, just ensure your watch and the necessary accessories are intact. It will be better if you have your watch package with you too. The pawn shop will test your watch, ensure it is authentic, search the current resale value online and inspect it to make sure it works.
The way pawning works is different. A pawn loan works like a collateral loan. The guarantee for the loan is the watch you take there as the collateral. So in case you don’t pay back the loan, the shop can sell off the watch to make their money back. You’ll be required to pay the loan back with interests before you can claim your watch back.
The advantage is that the interest rate is not as high as that of car loans or high-interest personal loans. If you also don’t want the item, you can conveniently sell it off to the pawnshop for some cash. At least, it is safer than finding a buyer yourself or handing it to a stranger to sell for you. Seiko watches in 2020 were sold to pawn shops for an average of $38.71.
From The Buyer’s Perspective
There is a wide range of styles and models of Seiko watches to choose from so we understand that it might take extreme efforts to pick the rights style and functionality that is perfect for you. Before you go ahead to buy a Seiko watch, you should consider the functions you regard as essential and primary to you. Also, understand your reason for buying the watch.
What You Should Consider Before Buying A Seiko Watch
For every watch type, including the Seiko brand, it all depends on your personal preferences. But these are some things you should put into consideration before deciding on your brand of Seiko watch:
1. Technology That Suits Your Lifestyle
You may or may not be a tech-freak and Seiko watches are powered by various technologies. Each technology is designed to suit your lifestyle needs. For instance, the quartz technology is the most popular, it uses a battery to power itself. The Seiko kinetic technology, on the other hand, makes use if your body movements to generate its energy. It then transfers the energy to the quartz crystal to power itself.
For automatic Seiko watches, they use your body movements to power a mainspring in the watch. As the mainspring gradually unwinds, your watch is powered to work.
2. Features Of The Watch
There are definitely features you’ll be looking out for in a watch and Seiko watches have a variety of these features. It has different watches to cover the needs of the likes of people like athletes, divers, travelers, office employees, and soccer fans. You just name it. Some of the main features of Seiko watches include:
- Chronograph (this is the stopwatch).
- GPS: to help you track down locations.
- Moon phase.
- Perpetual Calendar.
- Diver Approved.
- Railroad Approved.
3. Water Resistance
Seiko has various degrees of water-resistant watches. So, no matter the brand you get, your watch will work well without being affected if it gets wet. However, if you have the habit of keeping your watch on for a very long time or even rarely removing it to the point of having your shower with it, then, you should know better to go for a Seiko with high water-resistance level.
Let’s help you examine some of the water-resistant examples:
- The 30-meter or 100-feet resistance level can help you withstand water splashes and rain but you cannot wear it when swimming or diving.
- 50-meter or 165-feet water-resistance level is perfect for showering or swimming in shallow areas.
- The 100-meter or 330-feet water-resistance level is the go-to for swimming and snorkeling
- If you want to skin dive, then you should go for a watch with a 200-meter or 660-feet water-resistance level. It is also recommended for scuba diving.
- Also, watches designed with leather straps can be worn in water except that it might lose shape, start smelling or even lose its coloration.
4. Go For What You Like
Examine the physical features of the watch you’re going for. There are designs for men and designs for women. Seiko watches can be made from stainless steel or titanium. It can also have different finishes ranging from yellow, rose gold, black or black ion metallic.
The dial can also be round, rectangular, square or oval-shaped. The dial can also be of different colors, it can be metal, leather, fabric or rubber. Also, do you want to go for a model with special materials like gold and diamond. It’s all your decision to make.
If you are confused about what to go for or where to purchase your Seiko watch, dealers are your best deal whether you are buying a brand new Seiko watch or a pre-owned one.
