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Post by Knight Watchman on Jun 10, 2006 19:08:09 GMT -5
So, what's the deal with the Alba brand? If it's owned by Seiko, is built like a Seiko, and costs the same as other Seikos, why call it an Alba and not a Seiko?
-- Carlos OK, great question, and after a half hour of research, I am sure that I still have missed many! (SEE BELOW) How many brand names does GM have? Remember the Chevy Chevette? Remember the Pontiac T1000? Same car! It is all about marketing. Different names for different regions, cultures, age groups, levels of social status...... I don't think I know of any watch brand with more sub-companies than the Seiko Watch Company! If anyone finds some more, please add them to the list! Here we go!!!COLOR KEY:Yellow = Independent Seiko Sub-company Orange = Seiko Model Line Red = Alba Model Line Green = Seiko CollaborationsAlba Lorus Pulsar J. Springs Grand Seiko King Seiko Brightz Credor Seiko 5 Spring Drive Kinetic Prospex Alpinist Laurel Premier Vivace Arctura Rivoli Sportura Roox Sirius Epsilon Wired Riki Watanabe Anna Sui Nooka Issey Miyake Tsumori Chisato Alessi Cacharel Appletime Agnès b Think the Earth NOOKAAnd I know there are more! Keep an eye out!As we find more, post them, let's keep the list growing!
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Post by Mtech on Jun 10, 2006 19:43:48 GMT -5
What about Feiko?
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Post by Knight Watchman on Jun 10, 2006 19:49:34 GMT -5
You want to avoid that one for sure! You will find many on e-bay; never with our sponsers!
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Post by ltgary on Jun 11, 2006 13:01:43 GMT -5
I think some of the names listed are more like Models or lines since the name Seiko still appears on the dials. Sort of like Rolex datejust. Pulsar and Lorus and Alba of course are distinct companies.
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Post by Knight Watchman on Jun 11, 2006 14:34:53 GMT -5
I think some of the names listed are more like Models or lines since the name Seiko still appears on the dials. Sort of like Rolex datejust. Pulsar and Lorus and Alba of course are distinct companies. Hey Gary, you are sharp! I updated the list as follows: >>>NEW UPDATED LIST<<<I am sure this list will continue to evolve...
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Post by ltgary on Jun 11, 2006 18:48:00 GMT -5
;D ;D Dont forget the "Seiko 5". They have a ton of wonderful watches in that line
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Post by Knight Watchman on Jun 11, 2006 19:05:10 GMT -5
;D ;D Dont forget the "Seiko 5". They have a ton of wonderful watches in that line DUH!!! How could I forget one of my favorites? Thanks!
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Post by Houston on Jun 12, 2006 4:37:33 GMT -5
KW It's amazing who owns what these days. I came across a list of brands under the Swatch umbrella not long ago and it makes interesting reading. Love to post it on the GD forum, but I can't for the life of me think where I saw it at the moment Thanks for the edifying thread. Best ZIN
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Post by boscoe on Aug 22, 2006 0:11:38 GMT -5
Very informative. Thank you.
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Post by d4thun on Aug 30, 2006 14:28:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the list.
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Post by JIM on Sept 4, 2006 17:55:51 GMT -5
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Post by watchdog on Sept 13, 2006 16:04:13 GMT -5
I was under the impression that orient was under the seiko umbrella ?
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Post by Knight Watchman on Sept 13, 2006 17:21:50 GMT -5
I was under the impression that orient was under the seiko umbrella ? Seiko Epson (printer division of Seiko) has a financial interest in Orient (Orient almost went under a few years back). Orient is, however, allowed to function as a totally separate entity. Their design philosophy and management are completely independant of Seiko.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:ORIENT Watch Co. Ltd. is a Japanese watch company, established in 1950.
The Orient Watch company traces its roots back to 1901 and the horological marketing of its founder, Shogoro Yoshida, in Tokyo. For many years, Orient was number three in the Japanese watchmaking triumvirate of Seiko, Citizen, and Orient. However, Casio, riding on the heels of the quartz revolution begun by Seiko in the 1970s, quickly supplanted Orient with watches that were marketed primarily in the United States, but which were also popular in Japan and Asian markets. Nevertheless, Orient stayed the course with a conservative design philosophy and a marketing strategy that has largely ignored the US in favor of Japan and other Pacific rim countries, the Middle East, Russia, and South America.
Today, Orient has manufacturing facilities in Japan, Singapore, and Brazil, and offers a wide range of watch designs and styles, including quartz, mechanical, and light powered (similar to Citizen's Eco-Drive line). Seiko Epson now owns a controlling interest (52%) in Orient.
In 1985 Orient and Seiko established a joint factory. Orient produces a range of automatic and quartz watches ranging in price from reasonably inexpensive (about 50USD / 50Euro) to very expensive (7000USD). Orient Star and Orient Star Royal are the middle and high-end brands, with the Royal Orient being their flagship line.
Mid-priced Orient watches are perceived by enthusiasts as offering very good value for money. Orient manufactures its own movements, which is quite unusual. Most manufacturers outsource this aspect of their business.
Orient watches are not popular in North America, but appear to be popular elsewhere in the world. North American purchasers can find Orient watches on the usual auction sites. Orient Star and Orient Star Royal watches are quite hard for North American purchasers to find.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orient_Watch_Co._Ltd.
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migo
innocent
Posts: 2
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Post by migo on Nov 16, 2006 7:11:30 GMT -5
KW It's amazing who owns what these days. I came across a list of brands under the Swatch umbrella not long ago and it makes interesting reading. Love to post it on the GD forum, but I can't for the life of me think where I saw it at the moment Thanks for the edifying thread. Best ZIN www.swatchgroup.com would have that list. I get the impression that the Seiko brands are brands created by Seiko, not bought by them though.
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Post by Tiggercat on Feb 1, 2007 10:34:16 GMT -5
Where does contract production fit in? Riki Watanabe as a company is not owned by Seiko to my knowledge - Seiko just has a contract with them to create watches. Likewise for the older Seiko Nooka model, as well as the Cabane de Zucca, Anna Sui, and Agnes B brands. On the other hand, they seem to have deeper relationships with the watch brands for Issey Miyake, Think the Earth, tsumori chisato, Alessi Watches, cacharel, and appetime. (BTW, props to Seiko for the tsumori chisato manekineko line!) Links: www.seiko-watch.co.jp/press/contents.asp?id=9776FF26-1564-4299-AE79-7F80677305E2www.nooka.com/www.wristdreams.com/archives/000779.htmlwww.tokyoflash.com/viewwatch44M3anna-sui-watches.htmlwww.agnesb.net/product_category.cfm?prod_master_cat=1&prod_cat=16&CFID=5300307&CFTOKEN=46694683www.isseymiyake-watch.com/eg/index.htmlwww.thinktheearth.net/watch/watch/index.htmltsumorichisato-watch.jp/www1.alessi.com/watches/index2.aspwww.sii.co.jp/watch/cacharel/www.appetime.com/eng/index.html
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