Seiko is a brand with an extremely long-standing tradition, having been established as early as in 1881. Not only is it one of the oldest hands in the watchmaking industry but one of the most respected ones, too. Over a period spanning through 3 centuries, they have established themselves as one of the leading Asian watch moguls, promoting the best quality Japanese craftsmanship on a regular basis.
The article you are about to read is the complete Seiko watches review. In a very detailed way, it explains is Seiko a good watch brand to go for. To justify its great reputation, I’m going to dig deep into the overall picture of the brand, including its history, precision and lifespan.
There are two paths you can take to start reading the article. If you don’t mind getting familiar with the super-rich (and long) history of the company, start with that. If you’d like to skip straight to the Seiko quality review, that’s fine as well. Take your pick below!
Seiko Watch History
The rich history of Seiko watches began in 1881 when a 21-year old entrepreneur, Kintaro Hattori, opened a small watch shop in Tokyo. For the first 11 years, he was just reselling and repairing watches.
That changed in 1892 when he decided to start producing clocks under the name Seikosha, meaning something like “House of Exquisite Workmanship“. To do that, he purchased a neglected factory on the outskirts of Tokyo. Little did he know that it was the beginning of something really huge.
It didn’t take long for people to fall in love with Hattori’s wall clocks and the exquisite craftsmanship behind them. Trying to make the most of the momentum, he decided to broaden the range of his business. In 1895 he released the company’s first pocket watch, The Timekeeper. To this date, it’s considered to have been the pathway to Japan’s first-ever wristwatch.
The Laurel, because that was the name of the premiere wristwatch, was launched in 1913. At that time, there were very few wristwatches being imported to Japan as pocket timepieces were still all the rage. Hattori, with the mind of a brilliant entrepreneur, decided to go one step ahead of his competitors.
It turned out to be a brilliant move as The Laurel became an instant hit amongst Tokyo’s citizens. In fact, for the first few days after the release, the company was struggling to keep up with the demand.
After years of constant success and development, the Great Kanto Earthquake struck in 1923, burning down the company’s headquarters and the factory. Some believed the disaster happened because of an ill omen associated with the word Seikosha. After weeks of contemplation, Hattori decided to change the brand name to Seiko. A year later, the first wristwatch carrying the new label was released.
It didn’t take long for the company to get back on track – literally. In 1929, Japan National Railways appointed Seiko as its official timekeeping supplier. Seiko’s renowned pocket watch, later branded the “Railway Watch”, was installed into wooden cut-outs on drivers’ consoles to help them meet the schedule.
The appreciation for Seiko in The Land of The Rising Sun continued during subsequent years. In 1932, the company was asked to construct The Wako Clock Tower in Ginza, a popular district in Tokyo. From the 1960s, Seiko started serving as the Official Timer of Olympic games. The trend began with the 1964 Olympiad in Tokyo and, as of now, ended at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. During all those years, Seiko also served as the Official Timer at three IAAF World Championships.
When it comes to the modern history of the brand, the prestigious “Petite Aiguille” prize Seiko won at the 2014 Grand Prix in Geneve deserves a mention. The watch that won the competition was Hi-beat 36000 GMT, a true masterpiece when it comes to appearance and accuracy.
Finally, in 2017, Seiko created a kind of sub-brand, Grand Seiko. The first model of the watch carrying this name was introduced in 1969. To this day, it’s still one of Seiko’s proudest releases. Because of its elaborate appearance, as well as best-in-the-industry mechanical watchmaking (and a hefty price!), the company decided to create a whole collection of Grand Seiko models. Nowadays, Grand Seiko is seen as a completely separate brand – one that can compete with the best of the best.
History of Seiko’s Firsts
During its rich history, Seiko was many times the pioneer of new trend-setting technology. Some models brought fresh ideas of how a modern watch should look like. Below find the list of Seiko’s biggest landmark moments which at the same time were the World’s Firsts.
1969 – Seiko introduces the first quartz watch in the world under the name Seiko Quartz Astron. With the accuracy of +5 seconds a month, the watch provided unmatched performance at that time. It was also running for a full year, about 250 times longer than other mechanical watches. The release of Astron, and its massive success, kickstarted the Quartz Revolution.
1973 – the release of the world’s first six-digit LCD watch, Cal. 0614. It was the first in the world capable of permanently displaying the hour, minutes and seconds on its crystal display.
1975 – after the success of Cal. 0614, the time came for the introduction of the first multi-function digital watch. Cal. 0634 included a chronograph and used an internal light for comfortable nighttime use.
1975 – the same year brought one of the company’s and industry’s biggest breakthrough moments. Seiko released Professional Diver’s 600m, the world’s first diver’s watch with a titanium case. The landmark timepiece saw daylight after no less than 7 years of research by Seiko’s engineers.
1982 – the release of the world’s first TV watch. It used a tuner and a headphone jack that allowed wearers to watch TV anywhere, anytime.
1983 – the arrival of the world’s first Voice Recording Watch, Voice Note. The same year brought the launch of the first analog quartz watch, designed by a famous architect, Giorgetto Giugiaro. The watch was able to measure elapsed time to 5/100 seconds, and came with a tachymeter and split time capability.
1984 – a year later came the launch of the world’s first timepiece with computer functions. UC-2000 could store phone numbers and addresses of up to 2,000 characters. Seiko’s invention sparked the age of portable information devices.
1986 – the world got introduced to the first Diver’s 1000m with a ceramic outer case.
1988 – another huge release both in terms of Seiko’s own development, as well as the general advancement of the world’s watchmaking industry. The company released the Seiko Kinetic. It was the first quartz watch that didn’t need a battery, converting the wearer’s motion into electricity instead.
1990 – what a way to start a new decade. The year saw the release of the world’s first computerized diver’s watch, Scubamaster. It included a dive table and depth meter functions.
1999 – the launch of Spring Drive, the world’s first mechanical watch with quartz accuracy. The watch uses Seiko’s proprietary, spring-driven technology that provides an accuracy of +1 second/day.
2005 – Seiko never stopped with groundbreaking releases in the 21st century. The Japanese brand launched the world’s first-ever three-band Radio Wave analog Solar watch in 2005. It was capable of receiving the standard wave of the US, Germany and Japan.
2006 – one year later, the world saw the release of the first E-Ink watch. The timepiece used electronic ink technology and presented time and other data on a wide display area. It won the prestigious Grand Prix de Geneve award.
2010 – retaining all the benefits of the first E-Ink watch, Seiko released the world’s first EPD watch with an active matrix system. Compared to the proprietary E-Ink timepiece, the new release had a much bigger display of 80,000 pixels.
2012 – the last of the world’s firsts releases is probably the biggest one. Seiko Astron GPS Solar is the first solar-powered timepiece that receives GPS signals from 39 time zones on earth, providing unbeatable accuracy with low energy consumption.
Now that you have learned everything you possibly could about the history of this iconic brand, it’s time to have a closer look at what’s on the table quality-wise.
Is Seiko a good watch brand, one you can trust? Is it worth the price? What is the lifespan of these watches? The answers to these and other Seiko-related questions can be found below. If you’ve been mulling over the purchase of your first Seiko timepiece, I trust that this section will make most, if not all of your doubts, disappear.
There’s no denying that Seiko has built an enormous reputation over the last 3 centuries. A brand that in the beginning was only recognizable and appreciated in Japan, for the past few decades has been selling millions of watches worldwide.
Because of immense precision, durability and great appearance, Seiko watches are appreciated by all kinds of people – from ordinary Joes to everyday watch enthusiasts to horological experts.
Naturally, the quality of Seiko watches will also depend on its price. Like most other brands originating from Japan, Seiko tries to cater to different budgets. As a result, people with money to burn can get the most exquisite models that can easily compete with some of the best-in-the-business Swiss brands. On the other hand, those that don’t want to stretch their dollar will still have a plethora of reliable models to pick from. We’re going to have a closer look at the price ranges of different collections later.
As a whole, it’s safe to say that Seiko is indeed a good brand of a watch. Frankly, it’s a bit of an understatement. Let’s now see what contributes to its great reputation.
Design & Durability
Thanks to the quality of materials used with Seiko watches, many models can easily last a lifetime. Naturally, the more you are willing to spend on a Seiko timepiece, the higher the quality of all the watch parts. The good news is that it doesn’t matter if you go for low-budget collections like Seiko 5 or break the bank for premium lines like Seiko Astron or Grand Seiko – the price-quality ratio is always on point.
Let’s start with the most defect-prone part of any watch – the dial. The low-budget models from collections like Seiko 5 or Seiko Prospex, often come with a Hardlex glass. In most cases, it should more than enough to protect the face from any serious damage during everyday use.
The higher you climb the price ladder, the more likely you are to find a watch with a sapphire crystal dial. This form of crystal is the most scratch-resistant and is used by all the leading luxury brands on the market. All Seiko Astron and Grand Seiko models have it, as do most models in all collections above $300.
Moving to watch cases, most of these are made from stainless steel although some of the high-priced models come with ceramic bezels. When it comes to straps, you will be able to select from all kinds. Those include stainless steel bracelets, genuine leather straps, silicone bands (mostly in sports collections) and velcro straps.
Movement & Precision
As good as the exterior of Seiko watches is, their biggest selling point is the movements. The Japanese watch mogul, being one of the very few completely-integrated manufacturers of watches in the world, has a long list of super reliable calibers to its name. Briefly, Seiko watches use either of the following three movement types: mechanical (hand-wound or automatic), quartz and the proprietary Spring Drive movement.
As regards to mechanical movements, most of these are considered high beat. In other words, a standard mechanical movement beats six to eight times per second whereas most Seiko timepieces provide a visibly better performance, making them more resistant to shocks, as a result providing higher accuracy.
At the time of writing, there are more than 10 mechanical Seiko calibers. Accuracy-wise, the best performer (8L55) provides an accuracy of +15/-10 seconds per day. 4R35, which is used in most of the low-budget Seiko models, has an accuracy of +45/-35 seconds.
Seiko, being the world’s sole inventor of quartz movement type, has hundreds of watches from different collections using it. Naturally, quartz (battery-powered) watches provide unbeatable accuracy. Japanese quartz movements by Seiko are arguably the most reliable on the market, and they have continuously been used in timepieces from many other renowned brands.
On average, Seiko quartz watches provide an accuracy of +/- 15 seconds monthly. Currently, Seiko’s most renowned quartz movement is the 9F caliber used in Grand Seiko watches which has an astonishing accuracy of +/- 10 seconds a year. Some of its features include twin pulse control motor and instant date change mechanism that can switch the date display in 1/2000th of a second.
Finally, it’s time to mention the last type of movement, the Seiko-patented Spring Drive. Invented in 1997 by one of the brand’s most talented engineers, Yoshikazu Akahane, it’s a mechanical movement type with a quartz-like accuracy.
Just like a standard mechanical watch, a Spring Drive timepiece uses a mainspring as a source of energy that’s transmitted through a gear train. Instead of an escapement and balance wheel, though, Spring Drive watches use the freshly-developed “Tri-synchro regulator” which acts exactly like a quartz movement, thus providing similar precision.
The Spring Drive is mostly seen in mid-to-high-end Seiko models and provides a one-second-a-day accuracy. Such a result is pretty much impossible to achieve with standard mechanical movement even by the most elaborate watch brands.
There are literally hundreds of different Seiko models to choose from, ranging from ~$100 to even five-figure products. Depending on your own budget and preferences, you will be able to pick from 7 different collections. Because the contrast between them is easy to notice in both style and standard, they are often referred to as Seiko’s sub-brands.
Below find a quick description of each of the collections, starting from the most affordable one and going all the way up to the luxurious Grand Seiko.
Seiko 5 is probably the most popular collection amongst newcomers as it allows people to get familiar with the feel of Seiko timepieces even for less than $100.
The Seiko 5 collection has been with us for well over 50 years now. During the last decade or so, it has been refreshed with a modern sports touch, at the same time keeping the core design values that created the line in the first place.
Nowadays, watches released under the “Seiko 5” label tend to present a rather casual look although many of them are also sports-inspired. What they all have in common, though, is that they look much more expensive than the price tag would suggest.
Whereas the Seiko 5 collection includes some sports models, the Prospex line was made exclusively with physically active people in mind. At the time of writing, the collection consists of hundreds of diver’s and sports watches, with the prices starting at ~$250. Some of the more elaborate models can cost even few thousand dollars.
Since the release of the industry-shaking diver’s watch in 1975, the Prospex collection has been enriched with a plethora of sports-themed models for professional as well as recreational use in the water, sky, or on land. Most Seiko Prospex releases are extremely rugged, shock-resistant, and come with an impressive water-resistance rating (up to 500m).
The Presage collection by Seiko is known for its series of the so-called “cocktail” watches. The creation of the mini-line was inspired by cocktail bars. The dials of these models feature a sophisticated, pressed pattern and curved hands that extend right to the applied indexes at the edge. A great example of a Presage cocktail watch is the SRPB43 model below.
With a growing number of females interested in Seiko watches, the Japanese company has decided to create a line exclusively dedicated to women. Quoting the official website, Seiko Lukia delivers watches that “bring a sparkle every day, for women who want to show their individuality in their professional and personal life”.
All Seiko Lukia watches boast a subtle, womanish design. The most striking difference between this line and all the others is the case size. With case diameters starting from as small as 27mm, the timepiece will look great even on the smallest wrists.
As of now, the collection doesn’t have anywhere near as many models to choose from as any of the previously discussed. Nonetheless, the brand promises to keep adding to it. The cheapest Lukia models I could find online were available from around $400.
If I were to pick just one collection that stands out in terms of refined style and elegance, it would be this one. Seiko Premier is a line of great sophistication, with a strong focus on dress watches for both men and women. Premier watches in a very natural and harmonious way combine both the classic and modern design present in other Seiko collections.
Premier timepieces use Seiko’s proprietary Kinetic Direct Drive technology which is a motion-powered movement type. Similar to the Astron collection that we are going to have a look at in a second, Seiko Premier includes limited edition watches designed in collaboration with Novak Djokovic, the world’s biggest tennis star.
The Premier Automatic Skeleton, in particular, pays homage to the sport and the player himself. The dial resembles a tennis racket whereas the skeletonized window allows the wearer to see the balance wheel that looks like Djokovic’s trademark slice shots.
As already mentioned in the history section, Seiko Astron was the world’s first GPS solar watch. Since the release and the massive success of the proprietary model in 2012, the collection has grown considerably over the years. Low price point models are available from around $1000.
Often referred to as “the most intelligent watch ever made”, Seiko Astron doesn’t require a battery change as it’s fully powered by light. Furthermore, it comes with over 40 time zones which you will be able to adjust to with one touch of a button.
Lately, the Astron collection has been extended with an Executive Sports Line. One of the models was designed in collaboration with the previously mentioned Novak Djokovic. The watch includes special minute markers as a tribute to the points system in tennis (Love, 15, 30, 40). Also, the watch bezel carries UTC codes for the four cities in the world in which the Grand Slam tournaments are hosted every year (London, Parris, New York and Melbourne).
Grand Seiko is the sole collection that we can refer to as a truly separate brand. It’s also the only one that we can objectively describe as a luxury line that can compete with the best names in the industry. It’s only natural, then, that Grand Seiko timepieces are by far the most expensive in the brand’s lineup. The pricing of these models starts at ~$4000 and more often than not reaches well into five-figure sums.
In 2017, Seiko decided that the Grand line deserves a brand of its own. Whereas some watches from the aforementioned collections are assembled outside of Japan, all Grand Seiko models are being manufactured and put together in the brand’s most iconic studio in the country. Hiring one of the most skilled craftsmen in the industry, the Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio is located in the city of Iwate.
Grand Seiko collection caters to all different styles. We can differentiate between three lines of Grand models: the Heritage collection, the Elegance collection and the Sport collection. Each line presents a different style and features, but all have one thing in common: they sure do break the bank.
My second recommendation is Jomashop. Whereas on Amazon, in most cases, you are dealing with third-party sellers, Jomashop is an Authorized Dealer for all Seiko watches listed on their site.
Naturally, the prices you will encounter there are likely to be a bit higher than on Amazon and the delivery might not be as prompt. On the other hand, you get a guarantee that the watch is 100% legit and a 3-year Jomashop warranty on all purchases. Similar to Amazon, the store offers a no-questions-asked 30-day return policy. As of today, there are more than 300 Seiko models to pick from.
Unfortunately, Seiko’s official site doesn’t function as a store. Instead, it encourages you to shop for the watches at Authorized Dealers that you can locate through the Seiko Store Finder. There are literally thousands of places worldwide where you can go, try on the watch and, should you decide to buy it, get the bracelet sized and fitted correctly – free of charge.
How Long Do Seiko Watches Last?
With proper care, Seiko watches can last for a very long time, even decades. That being said, most timepieces, even from the most luxury brands out there, run the risk of eventually wearing out. It’s in the best interest of the wearer to make sure their lifespan is extended as much as possible.
Seiko produces watches of great quality which right away suggests that most of these are long-term investments. Nonetheless, it is strongly recommended to service the watch periodically.
Whereas in the case of quartz watches it’s not as urgent, any mechanical watch should be looked upon by a certified specialist every now and then. Seiko’s official website suggests you should bring your timepiece to an Authorized Seiko Service Center every three years. During such a visit, your watch will be checked for any aged oil inside the movement that might cause the watch to lose precision or stop altogether. Another key aspect of watch longevity is its water-resistance which will also be verified.
In general, battery-powered (quartz) watches tend to outlive mechanical counterparts. If you are after a watch likely to last a lifetime without much additional investment, going for a quartz model sounds like the natural choice.
Is Seiko a Luxury Watch Brand?
The adjective “luxury” carries some weight when it comes to watches – that’s why I try not to overuse it. And that’s exactly why I wouldn’t call Seiko a luxury watch brand.
I think it’s only fair not to try and compare Seiko with the likes of Rolex, Omega or Breitling – brands that are leading the way in the so-called luxury watch ranking. Such names carry phenomenal features and precision but these come at a much bigger price. A price way out of the reach of the average watch enthusiast.
At the same time, we should embrace the fact that Seiko does provide awesome value and many of the high-end models come close to matching some of the much more expensive brands’ craftsmanship.
If you are looking for a luxury timepiece that bears the Seiko name, the only option truly worth considering is the Grand Seiko line. Because of a much higher standard and a considerably bigger price tag, the collection is seen as a completely separate brand these days. Some of the top-end Grand Seiko models can easily compete with the best in the business in terms of the exquisite craftsmanship, five-star features and precision.
Where Are Seiko Watches Made?
The movements used in most Seiko watches are made in Japan. The company also produces watch parts in 3 subsidiaries located in China, Singapore and Malaysia.
Whereas some Seiko collections are manufactured and assembled in one of the alternative locations mentioned above, all the luxury lines such as Grand Seiko are made in-house in Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio, the brand’s most prestigious factory located in Iwate, Japan.
Some people have been wondering why all Seiko watches bear the label “Made in Japan” if some of the models are in fact assembled in other countries. The reason for that is simple: any watch can be tagged as “made in Japan” as long as it’s supervised by a Japanese official. In the case of a highly-regarded brand such as Seiko, this tag relates more to the overall Japanese quality and top-end craftsmanship behind the watches rather than the geographical location.
How Long Is Seiko Watch Warranty?
All Seiko watches, as long as they are purchased from an authorized dealer, come with a Limited 3-Year Warranty. If you decide to buy the watch from a third-party seller, make sure the product comes with a similar guarantee period.
During the warranty period, you are eligible to get a free repair or adjustment service related to a damaged case, movement, or metallic band. Naturally, the guarantee doesn’t cover any damage caused by your own negligence such as a cracked dial or torn strap.
I don’t think there’s a universal answer to this question. Each person, based on their needs and style, will fit a different timepiece.
There’s no doubt that all Seiko watches provide great value for money. Whether you are targeting bargain-basement models or some of the most exquisite and pricey releases, the price-quality ratio shouldn’t leave you disappointed. To correctly pick the right timepiece, you need to ask yourself a few questions: how much am I willing to spend on my (first) Seiko watch? What’s my preferred style? Which watch movement should I choose?
If like for most of the people reading this article, this will be your first Seiko watch, I suggest going for something low-to-mid budget. Get the feel of the brand, see whether it suits you as much as you thought it would. Later on, you can move to more high-end models that will cost considerably more.
Seiko collections cater to all styles and needs. If you value elegancy above anything else, considering collections like Presage or Premier would be my advice. If the watch is to serve you well during your sports endeavors, especially during diving, definitely go for the Seiko Prospex line. For a casual look, contemplate getting a Seiko 5 model. And finally, for those that value luxury and the most premium features, Seiko Astron and Grand Seiko are my recommendations.
When trying to pick the best Seiko watch for you, don’t forget about the importance of the movement. If the precision of the watch is your priority, going for a battery-powered (quartz) timepiece makes total sense. Presuming that you are a fan of the intricate mechanical workings and don’t mind missing out on more than a few seconds a day, go for a Spring Drive or an automatic model.
Which Brand Is Better – Seiko or Citizen?
Considering that these two Japanese brands enjoy such global recognition, this question simply had to pop up. That doesn’t mean it has a definite answer. In fact, any direct comparison between the two watch moguls is difficult – for a variety of reasons.
To begin with, Citizen and Seiko offer a vast collection of watches that differ greatly in style. Both brands have separate collections for different occasions ranging from sports to dress watches. Frankly, the same can be said about the pricing of the timepieces. Each brand caters to different budgets, offering anything from feature-rich models at high price points to budget fashion watches.
Since both names are equally well-established in the industry, deciding which wins the Citizen vs Seiko contest can be a very subjective matter. Again, it all comes down to what you, the consumer, are looking for in the said watch.
If you are a fan of mechanical timepieces, you will appreciate the fact that Seiko – even though it kickstarted the Quartz Revolution – offers a much wider selection of automatic or hand-wound timepieces. Contrariwise, Citizen focuses more on battery-powered models.
Stylistically, Seiko collections seem to boast a more classic look. On the other hand, a wide range of Citizen watches experiment with modern, probably a bit more creative style. The fact that Seiko is the older hand out of the two might be one of the leading reasons for this.
Whereas Seiko appears to put more emphasis on pampering the connection to the past, Citizen invests a lot in modern technology. For example, Citizen embraced the solar-power technology much earlier and with bigger aplomb than Seiko.
Is Seiko a Good Brand of Watch? Conclusion
I truly hope that this pretty extensive article has painted a clear picture of Seiko as a solid watch brand. Even though I’m a proud owner of two Seiko timepieces myself and I do admit I’m a massive fan, I did my best to be as objective as possible when writing this review.
So, is Seiko a good watch brand to go for? I would say, yes – absolutely. There are many brands on the market that boast about their impressive and long tradition but don’t have much to show for it in the modern age. That’s not the case with Seiko. On top of the rich, innovation-packed history, the Japanese company is still one of the industry leaders these days and continues to come up with new solutions frequently looked up to by the competitors.
Not being a millionaire myself (yet!), one thing I really appreciate about Seiko watches is their affordability. The brand groups the watches in different collections, most of which are full of timepieces in contrasting price ranges. Even though it’s only natural to expect a noticeable difference in standard between a low-budget watch and a high-end timepiece by Seiko, the price-quality ratio remains the same. And by that I mean: it remains great.