lambda_male

You're cherry picking examples. So let me also cherry pick some:

• CW C65 Sandhurst, $1095 on NATO, Chronometer
• Tissot Le Locle COSC, $360
• Certina DS Action, Chronometer, $635

There are dozens of Swiss Chronometers under $1000, it's not hard to find them. Tons of Certina and Tissot.

On the other hand:

• New Seiko Marinemaster, $3400, +15/-10 spd
• SJE093 62MAS Re-issue, $3700, +15/-10 spd
• Very Popular Seiko SPB series, >$1000, +25/-15 spd
• New Seiko Prospex Diver GMT and Alpinist GMT w/ 6R34, >$1500, +25/-15 spd

I love Seiko, but I do personally feel like Seiko's offerings above $1000 lack the accuracy spec, and it's kept me from buying them before. $1500 for +25/-15 spd on the Diver GMT? That's pretty bad, especially for a brand with a more value-oriented reputation.

I think you’re conflating “relative value” with “absolute value.” Sure, a $5k mechanical watch can’t compete with a cheap quartz if the metric is timekeeping. But if you’re comparing multiple different luxury watches for finishing, accuracy, and other specs, there’s bound to be models that are offering more features for less money.

Do you have an actual beater? Like one that you work on a car or do DIY projects with? Selling an older model CW is going to net you like $400, I’d just keep it and make it an actual beater.