The SEIKO M158 "PAN AM"
Copies and Counterfeits
As the saying goes, imitation is the highest form of flattery. And the SEIKO M158 had quite a few admirers.
With a list price of $215 USD, the SEIKO PAN AM (as it is often called) was not a cheap watch. Adjusted for inflation that is about $925 USD (in 2022 money). The gold-tone version sold for even more, with a list price of $275 USD, or an adjusted price of about $1,180 USD.
Because of its popularity, and relatively high price point, it is no wonder that other watch manufacturers wanted in on the concept. It is shocking however to see just how close to "identical" many other watches are. Ironically most of these do not even have a functioning world time complication, just a digital watch with a world time dial frame!
I suppose this offers strong evidence of the popularity of the PAN AM model, both in terms of sell-ability as well as desirability - or wanting to be seen wearing one (even it is a fake when seen up close).
Here is a break down of the known SEIKO PAN AM M158 counterfeits, copies and/or knock-offs.
Index of Manufacturers
- Piratron
- Supersonic
- MBO
- Beltime
- Meister-Anker
- Sekonda
- Yamaha
- Lotus
- Cresta
- Isatron
- Commodore
- Kawaski
- Omni
- Juwel (a Junghans brand)
- Alba (a SEIKO brand)
Piratron
Not much is known about this brand, but is generally agreed that they sold entry-level copies and derivatives of popular LCD watches in the 1980's.
They are stamped MADE IN HONG KONG.
Whether the name is a play on Piranhas or Pirates - you have to love it.
Probably Piranhas given the logo.
They had several goes at copying the M158, some direct copies, others more derivatives. One even has a SWISS MADE digital module!
Piratron P-053C
Piratron - Unidentified Model
This unlabeled model adds a chronograph (maybe) to the P-053C.
Piratron P-2163
This model is perhaps a play at mixing the aesthetic of the M158 with the later A239.
Piratron P-222A/W
This model is more of a derivative than a copy, but pretty obvious PAN AM look:
Supersonic
Supersonic - Unidentified Model
No information yet found on this brand. This model appears to be a nearly identical copy of the M158-5009. Except it doesn't look like it actually has the world time complication at all, just the dial frame.
MBO
MBO - 0751
MBO was a German-based company that also entered the PAN AM copies fray - with their Model 0751. One of the better looking copies, this model also sports an alarm and a chronograph complication.
Beltime
Beltime LED watches were produced by the Belair Electronics company in Zürich/Switzerland in the late 1970's. Watch parts were imported from Hong Kong, not Swiss-made. They produced at least a couple M158 knock-offs.
Beltime 27477
Beltime Microprocessor
Beltime - Unidentified Model
Meister-Anker
Meister-Anker was a registered trademark of Quelle - a East German mail-order company from the 1960's.
Watches under this brand were manufactured by many different companies, and were commonly sold in department stores at low prices.
Their PAN AM knock-offs look fairly well executed, and the documentation seems to suggest the world time feature was included with these models.
Meister-Anker 67
Meister-Anker 64
Sekonda
Sekonda is a British watch company, established in 1966. Their watches were originally produced in the Soviet Union, at the First Moscow Watch Factory in Moscow and the Petrodvorets Watch Factory in Leningrad. Many Soviet-era Sekonda watches exported to the West were re-badged Poljot and Raketa watches.
They appear to have not only some period-specific copies of the M158, but also a couple modern interpretations that you can still buy today. Here are the vintage models:
Sekonda - Unidentified Model
Sekonda - Unidentified Model
Sekonda - 1817 and 1816 Classic
These modern versions maintain the same time zone markings, city selections and abbreviations and the general look of the M158.
Yamaha
Perhaps the most recognizable name on this list, Yamaha did produce watches at one point, and it looks like they got into the World Time business with a watch that you could say was heavily inspired by the PAN AM, though just different enough to perhaps avoid being label a direct "copy".
Yamaha - Unidentified Model
Lotus
No information has been found about this brand, but it is clear they made several other watches, likely in the 1980's and 1990's.
Lotus - Unidentified Model
Cresta
Very little information is available online about this watch brand. It appears they manufactured digital quartz watches in the 1970's and 1980's.
Cresta - Unidentified Model
This interpretation of the PAN AM seems to include a solar panel. It is doubtful the world time complication was included with the LCD module.
Isatron
It is possible this is an ISASWISS watch.
ISASWISS was founded in Switzerland in the 1950's, and originally called "d'Ebauches de Sonceboz".
The company produced 7 main watch lines, one of which was called the "ISATRON".
Isatron - Unidentified Model
Commodore
Another blatant rip-off, this time from the company that also brought us the very popular Commodore-64.
Commodore - Unidentified Model
Kawaski
Another unknown brand, perhaps Kawaski was meant to sound like Kawasaki?
Kawaski - Unidentified Model
Omni
Not much information is available online about this brand. It appears they made cheap quartz watches in the 1970's and 1980's. Thank you to http://www.liquidcrystal.co.nz providing these images and an interesting write-up here.
The Omni - World Time
Juwel
Juwel is/was perhaps part of the Junghans AG watch group, absorbed many years ago.
Juwel - Unidentified Model
ALBA
ALBA W308-4000
This is a true SEIKO watch, meant to look similar to the M158 or A358, but targeted at a younger generation and priced accordingly.
Others?
Do you own or know of another copy / fake SEIKO PAN AM? If so, drop me a line - either in one of the forum threads below or via PM and I will be sure to add it!
- WristSushi.com - Seiko World Time - Vintage DIGITAL Models
- TheWatchSite.com - Vintage Digital / LCD - Seiko World Times - Collectors & Owners thread
- WatchUSeek.com - Vintage Digital / LCD - Seiko World Times - Collectors & Owners thread
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