Round-UpThe Top 7 Seiko Automatic Watches You Should Know About

What comes to your mind when you think of Japan? Sushi? Sumo-wrestling? Samurai? Or wait, is it Katana?

Well, I could just go on and on and yet I may never know (unless you tell me in the comments section below). However, I do want you to know what comes to my mind when I think of Japan. Seiko. Before you judge, please understand I am a lover of everything watches. We, like football enthusiasts, relate a country to the respective watch brands (think David Beckham and England or is it America now?). Like how NOMOS Glashütte and Germany are phrases spoken in the same breath, Japan and Seiko are too.

The Japan-based brand as we know, is a tremendously popular watch company not just in India but across the globe. It is one of the few companies which proves that quality and innovation in watches are not just a western or more so a Swiss accomplishment. Since its inception in the world of watches, the brand has undergone many changes and vital milestones. From changing the name of the brand (from Timekeeper – 1895, to Laurel – 1913, eventually leading to Seiko in 1924), to developing an array of timepieces that are high on durability and accuracy, yet fall within the purview of affordable timepieces.

Despite being the first brand to introduce a mainstream quartz timepiece, Seiko has spread its expertise into the realm of automatic mechanical watches with great prowess. Here are the top 7 automatic watches from Seiko.

1. Seiko Presage (Ref no. SSA309J1)

We could not have started this article without first mentioning our favourite timepiece from the Seiko Presage collection. Housing just mechanical timepieces through and through, the Presage collection is the perfect representation of the brand’s dedication to developing mechanical watches. This particular watch (ref. SSA309J1) symbolises the brand’s rich heritage of mechanical timepieces. Why? It was developed to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of Seiko’s automatic watches.

Limited to just 3,000 timepieces, the Seiko Presage Automatic 60th-anniversary Limited Edition is a rare find and definitely deserves a place on your wrist. In terms of just face value, the watch definitely leans towards a more formal aesthetic with a hint of sportiness. A versatile timepiece for sure, the watch works quite well with a suit or even casual attire. The polished 42mm stainless steel case works beautifully with the blue dial and gold hands and baton-shaped markers. This powerful combination creates depth on the dial. The screwed see-through case back not only ensures a water resistance of 100m, it also allows the wearer to witness the intricate workings of the automatic mechanical 4R57 calibre movement that clocks in a power reserve of 41 hours. The uniquely placed power reserve indicator and a circular date indicator at 6 o’clock present a uniqueness to the dial, and honestly seals the deal for many Seiko enthusiasts.

In terms of attention to detail, Seiko never has and will not disappoint. The Presage features the hallmarks of a high-end mechanical timepiece with beautiful enamelling and polishing techniques used across the watch. All these factors make this watch one of the most value-for-money timepieces to get your hands on. As they say, “For Presage, only perfection will do”, and this watch definitely demonstrates it.

2. Seiko Prospex (Ref no. SRP653K1)

Fondly called the “Tuna Scallop” or “Baby Tuna” in the watch world, the Seiko Prospex Sea Automatic Diver’s 200M is a one of a kind watch. Belonging to the Prospex or Professional Specification collection demands the watch to feature a high standard of technical functions and design. Despite the weight of expectation, one look at the watch and you realise that “Baby Tuna” has left no room for disappointment. With just a glance at the watch, you can immediately point out its area of expertise- the sea.

With water resistance of a whopping 200m, the Seiko Prospex is a beast of a watch with a 50mm case size. Additionally, what is interesting is the scallop-like shape of the stainless steel case (now you know where the name comes from), which is easily recognisable from afar.

The glossy midnight blue colour of the dial is immensely attractive with large triangular markers at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock. As it’s a divers watch, legibility is of utmost importance here. The dial of the Seiko Prospex has one main objective and that is maximum legibility. The huge hour markers and wide and easy to read hands are treated with Seiko’s Lumibrite coating, making the dial highly legible even in the darkest of conditions. Powered by a precise and reliable automatic calibre 4R36 movement that not only offers the basic complication of the hours, minutes and seconds but an additional day and date display function.

The movement operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour making it extremely reliable and accurate. Additionally, it clocks in a power reserve of 41 hours. Available in a black silicon band that provides added support, the Seiko Prospex is a precise and stylish diver’s watch with the ability of attracting a vast majority of watch enthusiasts.

3. Seiko Presage (Ref no. SSA303J1)

This watch is similar to the Presage model we discussed earlier with a little variation in colour and materials. Aesthetically, the watch is handsome to look at. Like its counterparts in the collection, the Seiko Presage (ref no. SSA303J1) is also a vintage inspired timepiece (like the dial of the first ever Seiko watch).

The 42mm polished stainless steel case of the watch features a silver dial with applied and faceted hour markers. The obelisk-shaped hour markers paired with sharp blue hour, minutes and seconds hands provide a certain finesse to the watch. The sub-dial placed at 6 o’clock features a circular track displaying the date on the dial. But what steals our attention is the unique power reserve indicator with a large running track from 11 o’clock to the 4:30 markers.

Despite its astute aesthetics, what makes this watch truly credible is the automatic 4R57 movement. It is one of the most reliable, precise in-house movements developed by Seiko.  Apart from the basic functions (hour, seconds and minutes), the movement offers a power reserve complication and a date indicator. Clearly visible via the open screw-down caseback, the Caliber 4R57 comprises of 29 jewels and operates at 21,600BPH or 3 hertz. Apart from clocking in a power reserve of 41 hours, the movement also offers some magnetic resistance capability to a limit of 4,800A/m or 60 Gauss. The stainless steel bracelet with a 3-link construction allows the watch to sit comfortably on the wrist despite its large size.

4. Seiko Prospex (Ref no. SSC264P1)

Well-made and reliable like all Seiko watches, the Seiko Prospex (SSC264P1) is one of those rare aviation watches that features a solar powered function. Which means that the watch does not require a battery or a battery replacement (ever). It is powered by solar energy which can be recharged by any light source from the sun to the bulb shining above your head. The 46mm stainless steel case in gold tone provides a wonderful contrast against the overall black tone of the watch. The dial of the watch features gold toned hands and hour markers that create a nice contrast against the backdrop of a black dial. The inculcation of the colours blue (chronograph and seconds hands and scale markers) and white (minute chapter ring and slide rule scale) add accents that make the dial highly legible.

Apart from clean and clear aesthetics, the watch offers a multitude of functions. From a slide rule bezel, chronograph functions, overcharging prevention function and an energy depletion forewarning function, the watch definitely accommodates a lot. It also features a date display window placed between 4 and 5 o’clock. With the trustworthy V175 movement under the hood, the watch delivers complete reliability when it comes to reading time or while making aviation centric calculations.

5. Seiko 5 Sports (Ref no. SRP288K1)

The Seiko 5 Sports belongs to one of the brand’s most sporty and technically superior collections. Developed to reaffirm Seiko’s love of automatic watches, the Seiko 5 Sports (ref no. SRP288K1) features a bold design powered by a state-of-the-art Caliber – the 4R36 automatic movement. Apart from the regular hour, minute and seconds, the movement also offers a day date function.

The 41mm gold PVD coated stainless steel case and the hands and hour-markers in yellow tone work beautifully with the black dial. The luminescent coating on the hands and hour-markers ensures maximum legibility. The use of hardlex crystal over the dial provides apt protection against scratches. The black rotating bezel gives the watch a nice sporty feel. An edgy design and dramatic colours combined with a smooth and reliable movement make the Seiko 5 Sports an easily attractive timepiece.

6. Seiko Premier (Ref no. SSA321J1)

It is a well-known fact that each watch brand has their own area of expertise. For example, Seiko is invariably a brand that focuses on sporty timepieces and technologically innovative watches. However, there are exceptions to the rule. While the general belief is that Seiko is a powerhouse when it comes to rolling out sporty timepieces, many don’t know that the brand also excels in a range of dress watches. One such example of excellence is the Seiko Premier (ref no. SSA321J1). Simple, clean and classically inclined, the Seiko Premier, as the name suggests, is dedicated to a premium consumer base that loves their dress watches. The 41mm stainless steel case features a classic black dial with a textured centre. The silver hands and hour markers create an attractive contrast against the textured black dial.

The two off-centre sub-dials instantly grab your attention. While one features a 24-hour indicator, the other is an open-heart (see-through) sub-dial that allows the wearer to catch a glimpse of the movement beating inside. Talking about the movement, the watch is powered by a reliable and accurate Calibre 4R39 automatic movement. With hand-winding capability, the movement operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and clocks in a power reserve of approximately 41 hours.

7. Seiko Neo Classic (Ref no.  SRP772K1)

Like the name of the collection suggests, the Seiko Classic (SRP772K1) is your ideal dress watch that offers exceptional elegance. It features the classic combination of a white dial, a rose gold-plated stainless steel case (42mm), fitted with a dark brown leather strap. The gold tone of the watch works perfectly with the brown leather strap. The white dial is simple, clean and beautifully minimalist.

The black Roman numeral hour markers and blue hands work in perfect contrast against the simple white background making legibility a non-issue. The watch is powered by the Caliber 4R35 automatic movement that offers the usual hour, minute and seconds functions. It also offers a date display that is set at the 3 o’clock position on the dial. The transparent caseback ensures a wonderful view of the intricate workings of the movement within. The dial is protected by a scratch resistant Hardlex crystal.

All watches featured above are available at Ethos Watch Boutiques.

Which are your favourite automatic Seiko watches? Do you like any watches from our Top 7? Let us know in the comments section below.