SCHAUMBURG, IL — Kevin Peabody, who spent much of 2023 informing several watch forums that Seiko had “completely lost the plot” by charging $3,500 for the SJE093, has placed a fully paid pre-order for an $18,300 Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe.
Peabody originally condemned the SJE093 across four forums, comparing its price to 11 watches he did not own and three movements he had never handled.
“Three and a half grand for a Seiko is insane,” he wrote at the time. “At that price, you’re paying for the name.”
According to Peabody, paying $18,300 for a Blancpain does not present the same problem.
“You’re looking at specifications. I’m looking at provenance,” he explained. “Blancpain invented the dive bezel in 1953. Do you know what Seiko was doing in 1953?”
Peabody did not know what Seiko was doing in 1953.
He confirmed that the 37.4mm Blancpain appealed to him for its compact dimensions, restrained styling, and historical connection to early dive watches. Asked whether those were the same qualities he had dismissed when evaluating the Seiko, Peabody shook his head.
“You really can’t compare them.” Peabody then compared them for approximately 25 minutes.
“The finishing is on another level,” he said. “You really have to handle one.” Peabody has not handled one.
Forum members later resurfaced several of his old posts, including “$3,500 SEIKO LOL,” “Seiko Fanboys Will Defend Anything,” and “At What Point Is This Just Stockholm Syndrome?”
Peabody dismissed the posts as outdated. “My collection has matured.” He also clarified that the 62MAS was “basically downstream from Blancpain.” “So really, I’m buying the original.”
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Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.
The Blancpain is worth the money, just as Grand Seiko is worth the money, just like Rolex is worth the money. A mass produced movement which you can buy off the shelf for $50-$100 is never worth 3,000 dollars. Blancpain movements are in-house often decorated. The rotor is often precious metal. It undergoes rigorous testing.