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Seiko Watches Review: Is this Brand Worth Your Money?
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Life is full of different situations, and the good news is that Seiko probably has a watch for every one of them. Need to time your race car on the track? Seiko has a chronograph for that. Going to a fancy event? Seiko makes stylish dress watches that fit perfectly under a tuxedo cuff.
Planning to dive 1,000 meters? Seiko has a serious dive watch for the job. See the pattern? Seiko makes watches for all kinds of lifestyles—whether you’re active, ambitious, or just need something reliable. With so many different styles and price ranges, Seiko knows exactly what it’s doing—and has been doing it for a long time.
You can find Seiko watches at your local mall, but they’re also sold in high-end watch shops alongside pieces that cost 100 times more. So, that brings us to the big question: Are Seiko watches really worth it?
Seiko Watches in the Past
Seiko has been around for a long time, starting in 1881—about 20 years before Rolex was founded. It was originally based in Tokyo, Japan, and continues to be made there today. Seiko first made wall clocks in the late 1800s and later moved on to making pocket watches.
When wristwatches became popular worldwide, Seiko began making their own wristwatches in the early 1900s. Over the next 100 years, Seiko kept improving and creating new ideas for watches and watch movements. In 1964, Seiko even became the official timekeeper for the Olympic Games.
Later, Seiko made the first quartz watch, which changed the watch industry. Seiko’s goal has always been to innovate and lead with new ideas. Some of their firsts include the first TV watch, the first diver’s watch to go 600 meters deep, the first six-digit LCD quartz watch, and the first GPS solar watch. Seiko also owns other brands like Grand Seiko and Credor, which are known for their highly accurate movements.
In the 1980s, during the quartz crisis, many luxury watch brands struggled financially after Seiko introduced the quartz movement.
The quartz watch was much more accurate than mechanical watches and was affordable for the general public. Because of this, Seiko became the leader in affordable and mid-range watches at the time.
Seiko Watches Today
Seiko is a well-known brand recognized for its reliability and affordability. You can often find Seiko watches in malls, and they offer great value for the price. Some Seiko watches cost over $100, look amazing, and can easily match many different outfits.
Seiko has a number of popular models that are easily recognized and have interesting names. Let’s take a look at a few of my favorites that Seiko makes.
One of them is the Seiko Prospex SNJ025, also known as the “Arnie.” According to Seiko’s website, this watch is “designed for those who treat life as the ultimate adventure.” This watch is on the larger side, with a 47.8mm case diameter and a thickness of 14.7mm.
So, how did it get its famous name? Back in the mid-1980s, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger wore this watch in two movies. The watch was updated in 2019, and it’s been called the “Arnie” ever since.
Another fan-favorite is the Seiko “Turtle”. This is a dive watch with a 44mm case diameter and 14mm thickness. The Turtle has a cushion-shaped case, which makes it comfortable to wear, even with its larger size.
Its unique shape means it fits well on wrists that are 6.5 inches or larger. It’s an automatic watch with a day-and-date function powered by the 4R36 movement with a 40-hour power reserve. Due to its cushion-shaped case, it was naturally nicknamed the Turtle because the case resembles a turtle’s shell.
Then there’s the Seiko “Samurai”, a name that just sounds tough. This watch is sharp-looking and comes in great color choices. It’s 41.7mm, but there are versions with a 43.8mm case diameter. The Samurai has gone through several updates, making it more appealing to the mass market.
One of the versions has a burgundy dial and bezel, which looks fantastic in person. Though I’m not usually into red, this watch has definitely changed my mind. The black-on-black version is also a killer, offering great proportions and a date feature.
There’s the Seiko Blueberry, which is likely going to be my next purchase. This watch essentially replaced the popular SKX line, which was also my first Seiko. It has a 43mm case diameter and a water resistance of 100 meters. The Blueberry is a GMT watch with a black and blue 24-hour bezel and a date function.
Within the SSK line, there are many variations if the black and blue aren’t your style. Some might even say this watch is an affordable alternative to the Rolex GMT Batman—though I’ll keep the comparison light.
With no waitlist and a much lower price compared to a Rolex GMT, I think this watch is a solid option. But enough with the wild comparisons!
Finally, one more watch my wife owns is the Seiko Cocktail Time Date from the Presage lineup. The one I want to highlight is the SRPE15, the green dial version with a bracelet. It has an automatic movement with a 41-hour power reserve and a 40mm case diameter.
This watch looks incredible for its price and offers a lot of value. I always recommend buying a watch on a bracelet first—you can always switch to different straps later.
Over the past few years, green has become the new blue, and Seiko has done a great job keeping up with that trend. My wife has the smaller pink version, which she really likes.
It made an awesome gift for a birthday, anniversary, or some other special occasion—though, honestly, I can’t even remember which one.
With all the gifts we have to buy, it’s hard to keep track! The bracelet is comfortable enough to wear all day, but it’s easy to swap it for a leather strap if you want to change up the look.
What Makes Seiko Watches Stand Out?
When it comes to affordable watches, Seiko is the leader. What makes Seiko stand out is the huge variety of models they offer. They have so many competitively priced watches that fit different lifestyles.
Seiko isn’t afraid to experiment with unique designs, like the Turtle and Samurai. On top of that, they have other standout models like the Sumo and Alpinist, each with distinct features. When I think of the Alpinist, the first thing that comes to mind is the green dial and gold numbers on the SARB017.
There’s really nothing else in the same price range that competes with it, and that’s what makes Seiko stand out. They offer great value for the money. Another signature Seiko feature is the crown at the 4 o’clock position on many of their watches.
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And let’s not forget about their lume—Seiko’s LumiBrite charges faster and lasts longer than the lume used by most other brands, especially on their dive watches.
Should you get a Seiko Watch?
The short answer is yes, and the longer answer is also yes. Depending on where you are in your collection, a Seiko can be a great “beater” watch or your daily wearer. There are so many Seiko watches being made that you’re sure to find one that fits your style and lifestyle.
Seiko listens to its customers and makes changes to keep its watches innovative. Remember, Seiko has a long history of being part of many firsts in the watch world. Seiko is well-known for being a reliable and affordable brand.
While other brands like Citizen and Orient offer great watches in the same price range, Seiko competes with higher-end brands like Hamilton and Tissot too. These four brands all make great watches in their own markets, but Seiko stands out because it competes across the entire range.
Conclusion
I honestly think Seiko offers so many options that you can keep searching until you find the one that’s perfect for you.
I used to own a Seiko SKX, which I wore for several years before passing it on to my younger brother. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but that watch eventually got him into collecting watches.
He bought a Seiko Cocktail with his first “big boy” paycheck, and now he’s hooked on collecting watches. So, is this brand worth considering or worth the money? As my younger brother would say, “Yuh.” Seiko offers watches at different price points that fit almost any budget and will give you that feeling of joy every time you look at your wrist.
About Exquisite Timepieces
Established in 1998, Exquisite Timepieces is your one-stop shop for all things luxury watches! We are an authorized dealer for 60+ luxury watch brands including Omega, Hublot, Seiko, & Longines! We are proud to showcase one of the world’s largest pre-owned watch collections, including renowned brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe. Check out our brand new watch arrivals here and popular pre-owned listings here.
