Riley Watch Co Howard Hughes FlyRacer ChronographvsSeiko Essentials Chronograph
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Measurements
Catalog photos are all shot at the same flattering size. These aren't: every case below shares one millimeter scale.

Howard Hughes FlyRacer Chronograph

Essentials Chronograph
Diameter
40mm
40mm
Lug-to-Lug
n/a
45.8mm
Thickness
11mm
lowest
11.5mm
Water Resistance
50m
100m
highest
MSRP
$441
$415
lowest
Movement
Seiko VK64
Seiko 8T63
Case
4 specsCrystal & Dial
1 specsMovement
2 specsPricing
1 specsReviews
Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.
Owners widely praise the Riley Watch Co Howard Hughes FlyRacer Chronograph for its attractive design, often compared to Farer for its quirky colors, and its smooth sweeping hands powered by the Seiko VK64 mecaquartz movement. Reviewers and owners alike highlight its good value, with a sapphire crystal and a 40mm case size contributing to its appeal at approximately $180. Some owners find the 12mm thickness and the included strap to be minor drawbacks, with plans to replace the strap, and one commenter disliked the casual font, deeming it inconsistent with the chronograph text. Opinions are split on the 24-hour subdial, with some seeing it as a deal-breaker while others appreciate the overall package. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Riley Watch Co Howard Hughes FlyRacer Chronograph highly for its striking aesthetics and excellent value proposition.
Owners widely praise the Seiko Essentials Chronograph for its beautiful and fun dial, with one noting the green dial and gold hands, and another finding the dark greenish dial less impressive than black. The watch is considered a great first watch, comfortable for active wear due to its lightweight nature, and enjoyable for its chronograph function. One owner reported the orange stripe on a stopwatch button expanded and fell off in heat, while another found the 40mm case wore smaller than expected. The Seiko Essentials Chronograph is considered beautiful for its price, especially on the grey market. On balance, owners rate the Seiko Essentials Chronograph highly for its attractive dial and comfortable wearability at its price point.
The watch is praised for its impressive execution and value at its price point. Its 50-meter water resistance is cited as a potential limitation.
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