These Are The Absolute Best Seiko Watches For The Money (2024)

Some time ago, it would have seemed laughable to think that a Japanese watch brand could not just stand the test of time, but become a household name and even garner respect in the watchmaking world equivalent to its Swiss counterparts. And while there’s still some ground to cover in that regard, Seiko has more than proven their mettle over the years.

In fact, if you want a beautiful, functional timepiece that you can rely upon day-in and day-out, you can find more than a few in Seiko’s catalog. And while they’re still trying to shake off the “discount brand” association, there’s no denying their worldwide impact on the horological industry and the company’s rising stock. Today, we’re going to take a deeper dive into their offerings and highlight the best Seiko watches for men.

The History and Background of Seiko

While they’re assumed by many to be a more modern brand, Seiko actually got their start way back in 1881. That year, a young entrepreneur by the name of Kintaro Hattori opened up a small shop in the center of Tokyo, out of which he began selling and repairing timepieces — ranging from standard wall clocks to pocket watches. By 1892, he started producing his own clocks under the name Seikosha — a two-part Japanese term with “Seiko” roughly translating to “exquisite,” “minute,” and/or “success” and “sha” meaning “house.” Then, in 1895, Seikosha produced Japan’s first pocket watch, which marked the steps toward the country’s first wristwatch in 1913 — also made by Seikosha.

By 1924, and after a massive fire that burned down the original factory, the Japanese watchmaking company rebranded as Seiko — beginning a long, arduous, and successful trek to becoming one of the world’s most important and impactful brands ever. Since then, they’ve made official timepieces for Japan’s railways, the Tokyo Olympics, the 8th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition, and more.

And while all of that is enough to make Seiko a noteworthy marque, they also helped create a wealth of timekeeping firsts. They include a unique, proprietary self-winding system, the first Japanese watch to have a stopwatch function, Japan’s first dive watch, the world’s first quartz watch, the first dive watch to feature a titanium case, and a good deal more. So, as you can see, Seiko is a good deal more than just a budget-friendly watchmaking brand. They’re trailblazers who deserve a good deal more respect than they’ve garnered. And we hope this brief history and the following superb timepieces will help exemplify just how excellent they truly are.

Why People Love Seiko

One thing you’ll notice is that Seiko, more than any other watch brand, is beloved by casual watch wearers, newcomers to the hobby, and passionate veteran enthusiasts alike. There are lots of reasons that make the brand so unique, with these being just a few:

Versatility: Unlike many watchmakers who specialize in one or two types of watchs, Seiko is able to dominate in nearly every category, from divers to chronographs to dress watches to field watches, and everything in between.

Style: Going along with versatility, Seiko manages to imbue each of its pieces across the board with its own signature identity. There’s a reason why vintage Seiko watches are just as popular as new models.

Price: Perhaps what attracts so many newcomers to Seiko is their way of getting their impressive timepieces on the market at such accessible prices. In fact, many of their $400 and $500 pieces are far more coveted than the multi-thousand-dollar watches from other brands.

Movements: One of the hallmarks of Japanese watchmakers is their focus on technical achievement in horology, and Seiko is the greatest in this regard. Its range of in-house movements are impressive in their own regard. As for their subsidiary Grand Seiko, the Spring Drive and 9S movements are arguably the best in the world.

Flagship Seiko Collections

While Seiko has many wonderful watch collections, its flagship collections are the 5 Sports, Prospex, and Presage ranges. We’ve broken our list out with our 3 favorites from each, plus a bonus pick from Seiko’s sub-brand Grand Seiko.

When the ever-popular SKX line was discontinued in 2019, Seiko fanatics thought all hope was lost. Fortunately, it was replaced with the 5 Sports line, a legacy range that had first been introduced in the ‘60s with the intention of giving adventurous watch-wearers something to accompany their excursions with. The namesake 5 tenets are an automatic movement, a stainless steel case, substantial water resistance, a day/date window, and a recessed 4 o’clock crown. Today, the 5 Sports line is perhaps the brand’s most versatile.

Seiko 5 Sports SKX Style

Best Overall: As a representative of the 5 Sports ethos, this SKX Style watch is the perfect pick, with vintage flair and a timeless design that will convert anyone to a Seiko lover. Encased in a 42.5mm stainless steel case with 100m of water resistance, this particular dive reference SSK001 has a GMT function that ensures you’ll want this on your wrist wherever you go. A few years back, the Japanese watchmaker discontinued its beloved SKX line, so eventually it started making sea-ready versions of the 5 Sports line that tapped into what fans loved about the predecessor.

Case Size: 42.5mm
Movement: Automatic GMT with manual capability
Type: Dive GMT

Seiko 5 Sports Automatic Cub

Runner-Up: Without the (somewhat) stricter limitations of Seiko’s other lines, the brand is able to use its 5 Sports collection to reveal some truly amazing timepieces, such as this collaborative watch with Honda in honor of one of the best-selling vehicles of all time, the Cub. With a cool retro colorway inside of its 42.5 steel case, the limited-to-7,500 watch has some other inspired cues as well, such as the face design, which is made to look like the front of the bike, with the 12 o’clock spot serving as the headlight and blinkers on either side. There’s a fuel gauge design on the crown as well, and the nylon strap adorns the timepiece with the appropriate aesthetic. This is a must-have for any motorbike fan, and at an incredible price.

Case Size: 42.5mm
Movement: Automatic GMT with manual capability
Type: Dive

Seiko 5 Sports Field Style

Also Great: As proof of just how much of a value proposition Seiko watches actually are, this Field Style reference — which will cost you less than $300 — still boasts an automatic movement, and with manual-winding capability. That means you’ll never have to swap out batteries or charge it or anything. A part of the brand’s 5 Sports series, it’s also activity-focused, with a durable stainless steel case, 100m of water resistance, and a durable-yet-comfortable nylon strap. The dial itself is interesting, with the minute markers (counting by 5) taking the spots where the hour markers would usually go. Believe it or not, this actually improves the quickness of reading the time, with the hours getting relegated to the inner dial instead.

Case Size: 39.4mm
Movement: Automatic GMT with manual capability
Type: Field

A portmanteau of “professional specifications,” the Prospex collection is Seiko’s dive-heavy range. Slightly pricier on average than the 5 Sports watches, these sports-centric timepieces are still rather affordable. Consisting of divers, chronographs, pilot watches, and the like, the Prospex series plays frequent host to limited editions and retro reissues.

Seiko Prospex PADI Edition Diver

Best Overall: One of the de facto stars of the Prospex Sea series, the PADI Edition Diver, of which several variants have been released, is made in tandem with long-time partner, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. This particular reference above, SRPK01, features a beautiful blue dial that evokes the ripples of the sea. Definitely taking notes from the discontinued SKX (once again), the PADI divers appropriately bump the water resistance to 200m (as opposed to the 5 Sports SKX Style watches that remain at 100m) and feature large 45mm steel cases with a day-date window.

Case Size: 45mm
Movement: Automatic GMT with manual capability
Type: Dive

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Chronograph

Runner-Up: In 1969, Seiko debuted the world’s first-ever self-winding chronograph watch. It honored the occasion last year with a limited-edition version that looked very vintage. But now, the brand has opened the floor to new models that blend retro and modernity. This Speedtimer also boasts a solar-powered movement — a rarity in the chronograph world — that gives you 6 months of power when fully charged. And for those looking for a Pepsi-style bezel, this reference above, SSC913, is arguably the best the Japanese brand has to offer.

Case Size: 41.4mm
Movement: Solar battery
Type: Chronograph

Seiko Prospex SNJ025 Solar Hybrid Diver “Arnie” Watch

Also Great: Seiko is no stranger to retro reissues, but few of their models have garnered the kind of mainstream clamor as the Prospex SNJ025, colloquially known as the “Arnie” watch for its association with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Draped over the wrist of the actor in the movies Predator and Commando, the timepiece first debuted in 1982 as the first-ever diver to combine a digital alarm chronograph with a hybrid analog display. Not much different cosmetically than the original, the reissue adds a solar-charging function with 6 hours of power reserve and bumps the water resistance to 200m. Oh yeah, this baby is housed in a massive 47.8mm stainless steel case that just may be too big for some.

To take a deeper dive, read our Seiko Prospex SNJ025 watch review.

Case Size: 47.8mm
Movement: Solar battery
Type: Dive

While the 5 Sports and Prospex collections are undoubtedly more popular with the people, the Presage collection is really where Seiko is able to set itself apart from competitors. With a focus on dressed up timepieces, the watchmaker shows that it knows no limitations. Launched in 2016, Presage is arguably the most versatile dress watch range in the watch world.

Seiko Presage co*cktail Time

Best Overall: Inspired by mixology and the local co*cktail lounge scene in Tokyo, the co*cktail Time watches have earned a cult following since debuting in 2010. The concept got its own range in 2017 under the Presage line and has become a fan favorite. Known for its elegant sunray engraved dials, high domed box crystals, and unique hour marker designs, the watches are inspired by specific drinks while the overall aesthetic is the perfect touch of class to evoke the lounges themselves. These watches are powered by the in-house caliber 4R35 automatics, which can be seen through the casebacks.

Case Size: 40.5mm
Movement: Automatic with manual capability
Type: Dress

Seiko Presage ‘60s Style SRPH95

Runner-Up: Few watchmakers would have the audacity to reissue a retro chronograph in the form of a time-only watch. But that’s what Seiko did with this SRPH95, part of the Presage ‘60s Style range. It harkens back to Japan’s first-ever timepiece with a stopwatch function, the Crown Chronograph released by Seiko in 1964. This new version, however, is not a chronograph, although it has a 60-second bezel to make timing things easier. A showcase of the Presage collection’s versatility, this watch could serve as a more-than-adequate everyday piece, with a streamlined aesthetic, high legibility, and deceptively unique flair.

Case Size: 40.8mm
Movement: Automatic with manual capability
Type: Casual

Seiko Presage Craftsmanship 110th Anniversary

Also Great: This year marks the 110th anniversary of Seiko’s first-ever wristwatch, the Laurel, which debuted in 1913. In honor of the occasion, the Japanese watchmaker tapped the Presage Craftsmanship series to reissue the timepiece. Seiko has exhaustively recreated the exact case shape, hand shape, and dial layout, right down to the numeral font and the red-colored 12 marker. Even the enamel dial material was replicated, with the help of a Japan-based enamel master. The proportions of the watch are also exact, with 37.5mm diameter and lug height. Modern touches are present too, of course, such as the 50m of water resistance, the anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and the in-house caliber 6R27 automatic movement with 45 hours of power reserve. Limited to 2,500 pieces, the watch is adorned with a brown deerskin leather strap.

Case Size: 37.5mm
Movement: Automatic with manual capability
Type: Vintage-Style Dress

Now having its own identity and independence (since 2017), Grand Seiko was first launched in 1960 by Seiko, who was aiming to compete with luxury Swiss brands. Today, the company is more revered than ever, boasting some of the finest movements in the world and a unique design language that involves its acclaimed Zaratsu case finishing technique and dials that are inspired by different elements of Japanese heritage and nature.

Grand Seiko 44GS Heritage Collection

Editor’s Choice: The calling card of Grand Seiko is its unique, meticulously-designed dials like the ones found throughout its Heritage Collection. Powered by its Spring Drive caliber, the 44GS dress pieces, like the one you see above, which is inspired by the steel of a Japanese katana sword, combine the mechanics of an automatic movement with a boost in precision. The movement is housed in a 40mm stainless steel case with the signature Zaratsu finish, blending flat and mirror-polished surfaces seamlessly. If your budget is a little higher and you’re looking for the perfect dress watch, there may be none better than the ones from Grand Seiko.

Case Size: 40mm
Movement: Spring Drive 9R
Type: Dress