Why Seiko? I'll Tell You.
Recently I came across a post from @drcarter13 posing the question of "Why Seiko?" Essentially, he was curious to know what influenced someone's love of Seiko. Well, instead of writing a stupid long comment, I figured I'd write up a post about why "I" love Seiko and why Seiko is my favorite watch brand (Despite my profile picture).
Like a lot of people, I started off with Seiko, but not with the SKX like many have, no; I actually HATED divers when I first started getting into watches. The SNK809 was my first watch and I loved that little thing. I had various older Seiko 5's and eventually owned the SPB117 as well as the SPB159. But slowly, the more I got into watches, the more I started to love the diver design. Before long, I was sucked into the world of divers. Sinn U50, Tudor BB58, Omega SMP, and of course Seiko.
I went down the rabbit hole of Seiko designs. From the 62MAS, to the MM300 and every Tuna and Turtle in between, the more I explored Seiko, the more I fell in love with their design and history. I love the aesthetic of their divers. I love how well they pair with natos (as that's pretty much all I wear) and I love that I can look back in decades past and see cooler dudes than me rocking a Seiko watch as a Navy salvage diver.
But Seiko's case designs strike a chord with me. The SKX and MM300/200 are both some of my favorite case designs I've ever worn. Both very different, but very special in their own way. My current favorite case is what I like to call the "mini Willard" that is the SPB317. It wears incredibly well, but is also very subdued in its finish. It fits the "tool watch" vibe I'm currently digging.
This brings me to another reason I love Seiko. The $170 DressKX looks as cool on my wrist as the $4,600 SLA057. While many would consider the fact that Seiko makes anything from $100 watches to $6,000 watches a problem, I love it. I've experienced many Seikos in the $100-$1,000 range as well as SJE and SLA models that cost anywhere from $3,000-$4,600.
When it comes to the aforementioned SJE and SLA, I personally think they are very special and very much deserve the price tag that comes with them. I've waxed poetically about the SLA057 before, but it's Grand Seiko assembled and finished with Everbrilliant Steel (similar to Rolex 904). The MM300 case design in the hands of Grand Seiko is a sight to behold. The finishing and attention to detail is simply on another level when compared to something like the Tudor BB58 I owned (in my opinion). A classic and historic Seiko design with their highest level of quality (Grand Seiko) makes for incredible watches.
But go back down the ladder as it were to their 5 line or even something like their Turtle line and everything from dial and case design to how they wear on wrist just works SO WELL for me. It pushes all the right buttons.
Even on the non-diver side of things, Seiko has designs that, I'm going to say it... "speak to me." 🙄 From the classic Grand Seiko/King Seiko design of razor sharp dauphine hands and what look like solid silver bars for indices to the original and modern Alpinist, Seiko has such incredible designs.
It all comes down to designs and styles that resonate with me and that ultimately fit my wrist like a glove. I love the history of the brand and I love the many designs they offer.
Current collection: Seiko SARB033, Seiko SBSA057, Seiko SZSB011
Great post and fantastic images! They offer something for everyone.
This post is simply a joy to read!
I think you captured alot of what many of us thinks about Seiko. Your pictures are also very good!
A black Seiko diver with a good strap is certainly stunning to look at and to feel this presence on your wrist is a very special thing!
Bravo 👏!
A very good write up! I share your sentiments. I have a few Seikos myself but no where near as comprehensive a selection as yours. I like that Seiko is attainable and when you grow out of it, you can easily sell them. Seiko is value for money, I hope they stay that way although in recent years, they are getting more expensive
This post is simply a joy to read!
I think you captured alot of what many of us thinks about Seiko. Your pictures are also very good!
A black Seiko diver with a good strap is certainly stunning to look at and to feel this presence on your wrist is a very special thing!
Bravo 👏!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Good read and photogragh, as always.
Great post! I've always been more of a Citizen and Casio fan, but after joining WC Ive been exposed to all these beautiful Seiko automatics and had to try one. Honestly, I like the designs from Seiko but the precision of automatic movements have always turned me off. Watches should keep time and quartz movements do it more consistently. BUT y'all have influenced me greatly and a DressKX is now on my wrist and I'm enjoying it quite a bit.
I agree I drank the cool aid years ago I love the Prospex line. Even with Seiko heading up market I am still ALL IN Great post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!❤
This post deserves all the comments and likes
Beautiful pics 😍 my journey also started with kind of not liking the diver design not so much but currently in love with them.
I only own one Seiko which is a dress watch but will definitely love to have a diver in future. The fact that there are so many models and variants still confuse the shit out of me!
Spectacular pictures. Seiko has an ocean of fantastic looking watches so I fully understand your love for them. I have curated some myself and I fully share your appreciation for the case shape of the SPB31X.
Couldn't agree more. The Seiko grammar of design hits all the right spots for me as well, be it their sharp timeless dressy watches or their brilliant divers at all price points. 👏
I especially resonate with your comment on the BB58 vs SLA. To me, the MM300/200 case design is a marvel that blows the lazy slabsided cases of Rolex divers, and by extension Tudor, out of the water (pun unintended). Assembled and finished to the GS standard, the SLA and SNR lines are criminally underrated because watch snobs won't give credit to a watch bearing the Seiko name at this price. 🤷
Your picture of the SZSB011 is stunning. If this watch wasn't 41mm I would have ordered it on the spot after seeing yours.
That last photo of what I presume to be a King Seiko is just Mindblowingly perfect 😍
Ease, can anyone tell me the Reference number of this particular Seiko??
Its posts like this as to why I have a WatchCrunch account. This is what I signed up for. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this as well as these awesome pics.
Bravo & well articulated, with some pretty images.
I've been collecting for a few years now & my boxes are ever edging towards more & more dials with seiko on them (about 50 out of 70) at the min.
As my collection changes a realise more that I have found a brand a truly love, and for all your reasons stated above.
It has everything for a £50 beater to a £200k world beater.
Along with a vast vintage range to choose from, there it something for everyone.
VIVA SEIKOSHA! ❤️
I would have far more Seiko's if only they did more without a date complication or even if they moved it to the 6 o'clock position.
A superlative piece of writing. Beautiful. Thank you.
How could you not like Seiko, a watch company that has a watch for any budget range! They may not be as well known as Casio Gshocks, but they are a huge part of horology history.
Just buy one (or a few) and move on 😀
Love my Seikos and Casios. Here is a photo of how I rate my watches from top to bottom.
Seikos: I love the looks, and it always wears well on small wrists.
G-Shock: It could take a few beatings, but the case design is not as good as Seiko's. I still love them.
Oris: Ok
Yema: Worst watch ever.
I love my two Seiko watches. One was a gift of my father in law, and awesome badass Astron solar GPS, dual time, perpetual calendar, power reserve indicator, 10 bar.... you get the idea. It has it all. Seiko is always pushing the technical development and brought the Swiss watch industry to their knees with the start of the Quartz crisis.
The other Seiko I got is a 1968 Sportsman hand wound. It's a beautiful little watch with the most simple dial that is mesmerizing to see.
Great post! Long life to Seiko!
🤝👍🫶
Oh, man! The SPB383 looks so good on that green rubber! 😍 That's the one watch that is topping my "want" list right now!
love the pcitures and all the seiko🙏
Oh, man! The SPB383 looks so good on that green rubber! 😍 That's the one watch that is topping my "want" list right now!
Tnx mate, here :) a photo with different lighting conditions
Tnx mate, here :) a photo with different lighting conditions
Oh! You have the SPB381! Thought it was the black dial in that other photo. Haha. That looks killer!
Oh! You have the SPB381! Thought it was the black dial in that other photo. Haha. That looks killer!
That's the cool thing about spb381j1, it's something like 2 in 1 :D depending on the lighting conditions 🖤💚🖤💚🖤💚
That last photo of what I presume to be a King Seiko is just Mindblowingly perfect 😍
Ease, can anyone tell me the Reference number of this particular Seiko??
That is a perfect looking Seiko!😍 I think the reference number is SZSB011
I came across your post and after reading it I have to say thank you.
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on the admiration for the brand, it’s well deserved. The photos paint the visuals for me and the words reflect a how much you respect and love you for Seiko.
👍
Amen 🙏🏻
Seiko was my first real watch, a sports quartz, which lasted a good 20 years of unthinking abuse and wear.
I have 2 Seikos currently, a SKX013 which gets precious little wear time and a hard edge Presage with red dial.
I like their dials, cases and even the ss straps are ok to good.
The accuracy of their movements though is a struggle sometimes. Both my Seikos with different movements are -20 spd or so.
The hard edge will come out of its box soon but I'm in a quartz mood at present so wearing a Casio Duro for a week then back to a Tissot Gentleman for work.
If only seiko did a battery sports quartz - I don't trust their solars after my wife's solar went just outside warranty, reminiscent of the kinetics.
Maybe I should look to the Casio Oceanus T200?
Have a good day everyone.
How I feel about Seiko and the variety of their offerings.
Says it all!
Thank you for helping me visualize my own fanaticism when it comes to Seiko. I totally agree!
Beautifully stated. While I cannot speak so eloquently about the specific model numbers, my Alpinist, and my Flightmaster bracket a collection of affordable, beautiful and accurate timepieces. Both automatic and quartz, divers and pilot watches. It is the quintessential brand that satisfies every aspect of my personality, and satisfies, my imperative connection to history, and the watches that we wear. Thank you for speaking my mind!