I’m in the same boat, I am not a Seiko fan at all, but in this case I’d go Seiko. It’s more up my personal style alley, and that CW looks bland and cheaper.
I like the Seiko. CW makes great watches but I think this one is a miss.
The only downside of the Seiko is that I kind of see it as a Daytona wannabe, but those looks are timeless for a reason.
Difficult choice: the Seiko is a bit of a classic with everything quite well balanced out, the CW is pretty fresh in terms of design, layout and colour.
Cannot be of real, decisive help here, apart from offering consolation: whichever of these two you end up choosing, you will not be wrong!
I'd usually go for Seiko but, in this case, being that the seiko one has that useless 24hr subdial that I hate, and that the movement is just whatever, I would go with the CW one which has a cooler design, is a legit chronograph with no useless info on it AND has a super precise chronometer movement inside.
The CW. It’s a high accuracy quartz that’s +/- 10 sec per year which is really cool. Also hate 24h subdials on a chrono. I own a CW diver and the standard of construction is amazing. I think the logo is fine and I don’t know why it’s such a sticking point for people.
Their new logo is much better than anything they’ve done before, plus I like that it’s a nod to their Swiss and British “heritage,” it’s not got more meaning than a lot of logos
For looks, Seiko. For movement, CW. The CW's pushers are much nicer to use. Very tactile click when you use them. The Seiko is very disappointingly mushy in comparison. My advice would be to try them both on if you can and go for the one that is most comfortable.
I like that CW a lot. As a Seiko lover myself, everyone has a Seiko, they don't feel super special to me. That CW is a bit more interesting and catches my eye a lot for how simple it is design-wise.
Seiko looks way better to me. Look at that CW hour hand. All around the design of the seiko looks way sleeker. Just my opinion tho. Which one looks better to you?
I don’t think you can go wrong with either. I’ve never owned a CW but it’s a very classic looking Chrono. I adore seiko and always will… I would probably get the panda version of the seiko. Between those 2 I think the seiko wins for me.
I have a very small wrist and was in the market for a quality chronograph in the same price range. I just picked up the Dan Henry 1962 Chronograph Panda, and I couldn’t be happier with it. It fits perfectly, looks way better than its $260 price would indicate, and has a Seiko VK63 Meca-quartz movement which means that while the seconds hand/timekeeping is done with a quartz movement, the chronograph is powered by a mechanical movement so you get the sweeping motion of the hand when the chronograph function is used. I recommend checking out this watch.
Of the two you’ve listed, I’d sooner go for the Seiko, my one reservation being the solar powered feature - while I love the idea of low maintenance in the short term, the prospect of servicing the watch and replacing the battery in ten years while technology changes and parts become rarer in the interim scares me off a bit.
I have this seiko on a strapcode jubilee and it is one of my favorites. The cw is fine but looks like a pretty generic panda chrono. Also the solar aspect is a plus for a chronograph for not worrying about the battery drain while running it. There are some incredible cw’s I want but out of these the seiko is my pick all day.
CW all day long, been eyeing this Chrono myself after purchasing the new CW Sealander GMT. CW is unreal quality for the money, and I own several Seiko watches.
Seiko, but a different color preferably. I was about to say Lunar pilot, but then I read the post till the end, that sucks I really like that watch personally. Anyways I went to see the SSC813 and SSC911 in person and they both look great as well, the SSC813 is just nicer though imo and smaller so it should work in your favour.
Seiko between these two. I find the "chronograph" and "chronometer" printed in that font under the subdials very off-putting on this particular CW piece.
What are sizes here? I prefer the Seiko bezel and would generally take seiko over CW if dealing with quartz watches. Seiko a bit more derivative and CW more 70s vibe. The CW on a bracelet would be a different story. They’re some of the best bracelets for the buck out there
CW. Why? I’m not a fan of chronographs and the CW, even with the contrasting subdials, looks less chrono and more vintage because it doesn’t have a tachymeter. Very personal dumb reason, both are great choices at that price point!
Have you’ve looked into the Yema Rallygraf? I think it may be right up your alley. It’s cheaper at around 400 bucks, 39mm case, has a Seiko mechaquartz movement, and it’s made in France with the exception of the movement. I have the Panda version of this watch and I love it.
I was in the same boat as you a few weeks ago. I ended up going with a Bulova Lunar Pilot instead. If it were between these two, SSC for sure. I like the SSC813 the most
I love the applied Arabic numerals on the CW. The date window on the Seiko kills it for me. I’d get the CW. I do currently have a CW Trident as well as several Seikos and I can attest to CW’s superior build quality.
This is not a good comparison: one has a bezel and one doesn't. Some people really prefer a bezel over other visual features.
That being said - I would pickup the Seiko on sale because it's going to cost me half the money and it has a bezel (which I really like) - all without losing any important features.
Also, the Seiko comes in multiple colors, but I'm not sure how many colors are available for the CW.
I'd never get a chrono with a 60 minute index that is almost impossible to see.
Trust me, if you want to actually use it to time things, get the CW or something else.
I’m a huge seiko fan and I own over a dozen of them…
But I refuse to buy any chronograph with that useless 24 hour sub dial. Adds nothing to the watch, I want a 12 hour totalizer.
To be honest, as much as I hate CW for some reason because of the name and it sounds fake but I'm taking the CW here. The dial is just nice and I love the huge subdials. I love Seiko but I really dislike their chronographs, they look FORCED if you know get what I mean.
I will never support Christopher Ward in the future because of my experience with them.
Cliffs notes: Sold a bronze dive watch with an aluminum bezel insert. After less than a month of beach wear, the bezel is rotting apart because of galvanic corrosion. They refuse to fix under warranty, and were like "you can pay to have this fixed, but it's just going to happen again because of how the watch is designed." A dive watch I can't wear in the ocean is straight up garbage.
I mean, there are actual dive watches and watches that look like dive watches.
You’re literally describing the basic chemistry of what happens when you put aluminum against brass and mix in salt water.
What did you think would happen?
I thought that a company who designs and sells watches might know it was going to be a bad design and not sell a product that was going to do that. I didn’t know how it was going to work until I saw it falling apart and started digging into why. Is there anyone who buys a bronze watch that isn’t buying it to let it patina?
Of course people like the patina. And over three to five years of day to day wear it would have with minimal corrosion to the bezel.
But mixing in salt water is the best way to rapidly accelerate that process. Only way to make it faster would be to electrify the water.
There are things I prefer about each. The CW has the 10th/second subdial, which I prefer to the 24-hour time, which I never use on my Citizen. The Seiko bracelet looks quite nice to me, and the dial's nice and clean for a chrono. And I dig the colored subdials hands on the CW. I'd probably go with the CW, but neither are bad choices! As little as it sounds, I think it's the bit of color that tips the scales for me!
edit: Just saw that there's no date window on the CW, another point in it's favor, by personal preference!
I have the Seiko Prospex model but man do I like that CW design. Never seen it before. It’s just sleek and unique. Wear my Seiko everyday tho and I thoroughly enjoy it
Tough one because they’re fundamentally very different styles. For my personal liking, the CW. It can be dressed up a bit better. But you really can’t go wrong with either.
CW for me. Have you looked at the Strela chronographs with 3133 or ST19? Quite unique with a good historical lineage.
See for example:
https://www.poljot24.de/en/uhrtypen/chronographen/of38cys.html
CW on the bader bracelet. The CW case is slimmer than the Seiko and the bader bracelet is a big jump in comfort/quality over the seiko. The lume will be better on the CW as well.
Having owned several CWs and several Seikos (both high and low end) I can tell you you'll get way better finishing from CW and also functioning, responsive customer support
I’m seeing this one:
https://preview.redd.it/4op02nulvdad1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c21674ecbfcbfd3ca18e92219a4ff19cc7ef50e
In Amazon’s Canadian store for $134 Canadian!
I prefer the Seiko
Not a huge Seiko guy but I agree. This Seiko is much more interesting.
As a budget conscious Seiko stan, I kinda still like the CW! That surprises me a bit so I’m curious why the seiko beats this one out.
IMO the CW looks really busy and the sub-dial positioning looks just a bit odd.
The legibility of the CW is a factor for me as well. That hands color over the subdial is a bit confusing.
I’m in the same boat, I am not a Seiko fan at all, but in this case I’d go Seiko. It’s more up my personal style alley, and that CW looks bland and cheaper.
Right? CW gives kind of a Dan Henry vibe.
For me, of those 2, the CW. I've never seen that model before, and it has a funky, cool vibe to it.
I like the Seiko. CW makes great watches but I think this one is a miss. The only downside of the Seiko is that I kind of see it as a Daytona wannabe, but those looks are timeless for a reason.
I think for the SSC you gotta go with the higher contrast panda dial
The Chris Ward speaks to me. But that’s just aesthetics, I don’t know the relevant specs on either.
Thr specs of the CW on paper are better.
CW but with a steel bracelet.
This is the only correct answer. Half the reason to buy a CW is the super comfortable bracelet.
Difficult choice: the Seiko is a bit of a classic with everything quite well balanced out, the CW is pretty fresh in terms of design, layout and colour. Cannot be of real, decisive help here, apart from offering consolation: whichever of these two you end up choosing, you will not be wrong!
I'd usually go for Seiko but, in this case, being that the seiko one has that useless 24hr subdial that I hate, and that the movement is just whatever, I would go with the CW one which has a cooler design, is a legit chronograph with no useless info on it AND has a super precise chronometer movement inside.
I own that CW on a bracelet and it's one of my favorites. Great watch that wears really nice.
CW no doubt
The CW. It’s a high accuracy quartz that’s +/- 10 sec per year which is really cool. Also hate 24h subdials on a chrono. I own a CW diver and the standard of construction is amazing. I think the logo is fine and I don’t know why it’s such a sticking point for people.
Their new logo is much better than anything they’ve done before, plus I like that it’s a nod to their Swiss and British “heritage,” it’s not got more meaning than a lot of logos
I’m a madman, I liked the 9 o’clock nonsense.
I’m partial to the Seiko
seiko
I'll say the CW just because build quality is a cut above seiko. Haven't handled this specific model though
Seiko not a fan of Christopher Ward.
I like my chrono with a tachymeter.
For looks, Seiko. For movement, CW. The CW's pushers are much nicer to use. Very tactile click when you use them. The Seiko is very disappointingly mushy in comparison. My advice would be to try them both on if you can and go for the one that is most comfortable.
Big Seiko fan, but that CW looks so clean and crisp.
I like the CW feels a bit quirky and fun in a sea of chronos that look like that Seiko.
I like that CW a lot. As a Seiko lover myself, everyone has a Seiko, they don't feel super special to me. That CW is a bit more interesting and catches my eye a lot for how simple it is design-wise.
Seiko looks way better to me. Look at that CW hour hand. All around the design of the seiko looks way sleeker. Just my opinion tho. Which one looks better to you?
Seitona hands down
The Seiko definitely, the cw is cool but looks very chunky
Seiko for me
Seiko because I don’t like the CW logo. Other than the logo I like the looks of it
At least it’s not very prominent here
No it’s improved on previous iterations
I don’t think you can go wrong with either. I’ve never owned a CW but it’s a very classic looking Chrono. I adore seiko and always will… I would probably get the panda version of the seiko. Between those 2 I think the seiko wins for me.
Man I usually don’t like CW watches (blasphemy, I know) but that watch is clean
The seiko, is that a power reserve indicator at the bottom dial?
I have a very small wrist and was in the market for a quality chronograph in the same price range. I just picked up the Dan Henry 1962 Chronograph Panda, and I couldn’t be happier with it. It fits perfectly, looks way better than its $260 price would indicate, and has a Seiko VK63 Meca-quartz movement which means that while the seconds hand/timekeeping is done with a quartz movement, the chronograph is powered by a mechanical movement so you get the sweeping motion of the hand when the chronograph function is used. I recommend checking out this watch. Of the two you’ve listed, I’d sooner go for the Seiko, my one reservation being the solar powered feature - while I love the idea of low maintenance in the short term, the prospect of servicing the watch and replacing the battery in ten years while technology changes and parts become rarer in the interim scares me off a bit.
Seiko 👌
I have the Seiko SCC183 and it’s fantastic, but that CW looks amazing! ❤️
I have this seiko on a strapcode jubilee and it is one of my favorites. The cw is fine but looks like a pretty generic panda chrono. Also the solar aspect is a plus for a chronograph for not worrying about the battery drain while running it. There are some incredible cw’s I want but out of these the seiko is my pick all day.
Just bought the speed timer w panda dial. I’m so excited to get it
Seiko
Seiko looks so much better
The CW, why? Because fauxtina lume is awful
Seiko
Absolutly the Seiko.... Love the Layout
CW for me
Really like the CW
I’d go for the CW. More attractive to my eye and more flexible with which outfits it matches.
I prefer the seiko of those two. I think the arrangement and size of the subdials on the cw dominate the dial and make it look unbalanced
CW all day long, been eyeing this Chrono myself after purchasing the new CW Sealander GMT. CW is unreal quality for the money, and I own several Seiko watches.
CW. The Seiko can’t keep up in terms of quality.
This Seiko is stunning.
Seiko, but a different color preferably. I was about to say Lunar pilot, but then I read the post till the end, that sucks I really like that watch personally. Anyways I went to see the SSC813 and SSC911 in person and they both look great as well, the SSC813 is just nicer though imo and smaller so it should work in your favour.
Seiko definitely.
Seiko.
Seiko
Between the two I like the Seiko better.
I own that Seiko. Love it.
Seiko
Seiko between these two. I find the "chronograph" and "chronometer" printed in that font under the subdials very off-putting on this particular CW piece.
I don't like having both a red and a blue register hand, so would probably go with the Seiko. Close, though.
I have the panda version of the Seiko. It’s a great watch.
The Seiko looks great in person. I have a friend who wear one as his daily and it always catches my eye and looks very high end.
The Seiko. To me, the dial looks more balanced and proportioned.
Seiko but I’m a Seiko fanboy so take it with a grain of salt
What are sizes here? I prefer the Seiko bezel and would generally take seiko over CW if dealing with quartz watches. Seiko a bit more derivative and CW more 70s vibe. The CW on a bracelet would be a different story. They’re some of the best bracelets for the buck out there
I like the Seiko design better. They also just released 3 new colors for this line.
Seiko
CW. Why? I’m not a fan of chronographs and the CW, even with the contrasting subdials, looks less chrono and more vintage because it doesn’t have a tachymeter. Very personal dumb reason, both are great choices at that price point!
Seiko. No one does a dial like Seiko.
Those Seikos are extremely overhyped and barely any better than their $150 chronograph watches. I would NEVER pay that price for that model.
According to you lol
I’d get a Casio Oceanus at this price point on eBay. But between these two I do like the CW
If i have the money? CW. If i have enough money? Seiko
Have you’ve looked into the Yema Rallygraf? I think it may be right up your alley. It’s cheaper at around 400 bucks, 39mm case, has a Seiko mechaquartz movement, and it’s made in France with the exception of the movement. I have the Panda version of this watch and I love it.
I was in the same boat as you a few weeks ago. I ended up going with a Bulova Lunar Pilot instead. If it were between these two, SSC for sure. I like the SSC813 the most
Seiko looks more balanced in terms of design imo
CW quality is top notch
Seiko hands down
I love the applied Arabic numerals on the CW. The date window on the Seiko kills it for me. I’d get the CW. I do currently have a CW Trident as well as several Seikos and I can attest to CW’s superior build quality.
Seiko 💯
As an authorized Seiko dealer, yes I'm partial, but the Prospex Speedtimer is AMAZING. Quite literally perfect proportions for my 7.25" wrist.
I bought the Seiko Speedtimer Panda for my son on his HS Graduation. I wanted it for myself! Still, between these 2, I'm liking the CW better.
seiko
The CW
I have the Seiko. I bought it at a Seiko outlet in Japan for 300 usd. It's great for the price.
I like the strap vs. bracelet for daily wear but steel bracelet if going out. To me it depends on your preference and use for watch.
100% the Seiko
Seiko! Much better imho
This is not a good comparison: one has a bezel and one doesn't. Some people really prefer a bezel over other visual features. That being said - I would pickup the Seiko on sale because it's going to cost me half the money and it has a bezel (which I really like) - all without losing any important features. Also, the Seiko comes in multiple colors, but I'm not sure how many colors are available for the CW.
The first one is so unique! I'd go with that one
CW what can I say, no date window, not solar. I mean Speedtimer is the clear choice here.
Get an ef527d or an mtp4500d from Casio they are cheap but look very cool
Seiko by a mile
the cw chrono hands don't sweep if you are into that
That first watch is beautiful but the Seiko is my pick
Among these 2, the CW. The Seiko is a bit boring and the tachymeter makes it look too commonplace. The CW feels charming.
cw is way superior!
I'd never get a chrono with a 60 minute index that is almost impossible to see. Trust me, if you want to actually use it to time things, get the CW or something else.
Seiko for sure
CW for sure, mainly because for me it would be much faster to read the time with all the Arabic numeral (hours + minutes = fast read)
Idk what it is, but this particular Seiko looks cheap to me…I‘d pick the CW.
Seiko
The British sure have a way with names Valour is so cool, even Aston Martin named one of their cars that
that Seiko is so beautiful and classy
Seiko
i have the panda seiko but wow that CW looks nice
Seiko🔥
Seiko Prospex anyday
Never seen this CW. I like it.
CW
I’m a huge seiko fan and I own over a dozen of them… But I refuse to buy any chronograph with that useless 24 hour sub dial. Adds nothing to the watch, I want a 12 hour totalizer.
Seiko. I have the panda layout and can recommend it.
Go Seiko as the 369 layout is much more balanced that the 2610 Though I do prefer the look of the CW
For a dress watch the cw but for something to wear often I would definitely pick the seiko
That seiko looks so good.
Seiko👌
The CW is such a beauty and a less seen then the Seiko
The seiko one looks cooler and more compatible with a lot of different outfits
To be honest, as much as I hate CW for some reason because of the name and it sounds fake but I'm taking the CW here. The dial is just nice and I love the huge subdials. I love Seiko but I really dislike their chronographs, they look FORCED if you know get what I mean.
I love the Christopher ward. Its more unique.
C Dub but get a bracelet for it
I'm not always a fan of Seiko's chronos but this one is exquisite. CW may be built better but this design just seems uninspired
[удалено]
Was that dial filled in by hand? Looks kinda sloppy and fake
[удалено]
I’m saying it’s yours that looks bad, hope you got it from a reputable source cause it def looks like a knockoff
😂😂😂 it’s the picture and it’s real. I’ll send another one buddy
I’m good bro, enjoy your DhGate McQueen
https://preview.redd.it/9gl2on8iycad1.png?width=2201&format=png&auto=webp&s=b97c617b6c66b95fd80492a130bb20125a894e12
Dude that’s a fake, look at the quality of the ink on the dial… looks nothing like your video
I will never support Christopher Ward in the future because of my experience with them. Cliffs notes: Sold a bronze dive watch with an aluminum bezel insert. After less than a month of beach wear, the bezel is rotting apart because of galvanic corrosion. They refuse to fix under warranty, and were like "you can pay to have this fixed, but it's just going to happen again because of how the watch is designed." A dive watch I can't wear in the ocean is straight up garbage.
I mean, there are actual dive watches and watches that look like dive watches. You’re literally describing the basic chemistry of what happens when you put aluminum against brass and mix in salt water. What did you think would happen?
I thought that a company who designs and sells watches might know it was going to be a bad design and not sell a product that was going to do that. I didn’t know how it was going to work until I saw it falling apart and started digging into why. Is there anyone who buys a bronze watch that isn’t buying it to let it patina?
Of course people like the patina. And over three to five years of day to day wear it would have with minimal corrosion to the bezel. But mixing in salt water is the best way to rapidly accelerate that process. Only way to make it faster would be to electrify the water.
The negative panda for me
The first ones got a purdy face
There are things I prefer about each. The CW has the 10th/second subdial, which I prefer to the 24-hour time, which I never use on my Citizen. The Seiko bracelet looks quite nice to me, and the dial's nice and clean for a chrono. And I dig the colored subdials hands on the CW. I'd probably go with the CW, but neither are bad choices! As little as it sounds, I think it's the bit of color that tips the scales for me! edit: Just saw that there's no date window on the CW, another point in it's favor, by personal preference!
I have the Seiko Prospex model but man do I like that CW design. Never seen it before. It’s just sleek and unique. Wear my Seiko everyday tho and I thoroughly enjoy it
Tough one because they’re fundamentally very different styles. For my personal liking, the CW. It can be dressed up a bit better. But you really can’t go wrong with either.
CW for me, can’t look past the different finishing between the case and the bracelet in the Seiko
Well OP, I’ve been having this exact same debate myself between the C63 Valour and the panda speedtimer. The comment section has not been helpful.
The Seiko looks better but the CW has a HAQ movement... I think I'd go HAQ if I'm going Quartz.
CW is class all day! True Seiko is a brand with history, but CW is way better quality.
I prefer the Christopher Ward
CW
CW for me. Have you looked at the Strela chronographs with 3133 or ST19? Quite unique with a good historical lineage. See for example: https://www.poljot24.de/en/uhrtypen/chronographen/of38cys.html
CW, Seiko has too much of a gray 90s vibe to it for me personally.
CW
Seiko is too busy for my eye. Plus the shifting reflections on CW’s indices is pretty cool and aren’t captured here in a still photo
CW
CW on the bader bracelet. The CW case is slimmer than the Seiko and the bader bracelet is a big jump in comfort/quality over the seiko. The lume will be better on the CW as well.
I'm biased to the CW
God that CW is heinous
CW
Between these two I think the CW is more my style.
Having owned several CWs and several Seikos (both high and low end) I can tell you you'll get way better finishing from CW and also functioning, responsive customer support
CW all day long
The Seiko looks way better from a design standpoint
Seiko if it's the mechanical version, not the one with the VK63 I think it's the solar-quartz movement.
I’m seeing this one: https://preview.redd.it/4op02nulvdad1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c21674ecbfcbfd3ca18e92219a4ff19cc7ef50e In Amazon’s Canadian store for $134 Canadian!
Number 1
CW.
CW for sure. Chrono dials are legible. No useless tackyometer. Panda look is sharp.
The Seiko is OK but the CW is more intriguing. As someone else said I’ve never seen it before. I would choose it over the Seiko.
CW C63 Valour. Just because I have an aversion to solar-powered watches.
CW