While it’s easy to think only Swiss-made watches are high quality, Seiko is undeniably one of the best watchmakers today. Innovation and boundary-pushing are in its DNA, while its current catalogue boasts watches that are affordable, attractive and built to last. The best Seiko watches are great, no matter if you’re looking for your first watch or your 100th watch.
RELATED: Our Definitive List Of The Best Grand Seiko Watches In 2024
Prospex
The Seiko Prospex Line is a collection that predominantly focuses on professional spec (hence the name pro-spex) dive watches and chronographs. Representing premium build quality and designed for adventure, it’s a function-forward collection that is loved by collectors everywhere.
Seiko “62MAS” SPB143 Diver
A contemporary classic, the Seiko SPB143 was released a few years ago to near-unanimous critical and commercial praise, drawing inspiration from Seiko’s first dive watch in an unashamedly modern way. Meeting today’s tastes with a larger case size than the original, as well as a grey dial that looks great on the wrist thanks to its sunburst finish, this is a diver that you’ll be hard-pressed to fault, especially for its price.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 40.5mm
- Case Thickness: 13.15mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Grey
- Water Resistance: 200m
- Movement: 6R35
- Power Reserve: 70
Seiko SPB155
Seiko’s is a rough and ready adventure watch, featuring a grainy textured dial in a shade of smokey green and measuring 38mm in diameter, it takes inspiration from the universally popular SPB121 “Aplinist” that Seiko produced a few years back. With 200m of water resistance, a solid 70 hours of power reserve via the calibre 6R35, it’s a great option as an everyday companion.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 38mm
- Case Thickness: 12.9mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Green
- Water Resistance: 200m
- Movement: 6R35
- Power Reserve: 70 hours
Seiko SRQ047
Seiko’s history as a pioneer in the world of racing chronographs isn’t widely known, but the fact is the Japanese watchmaker was one of the very first in the world to launch an automatic chronograph. This “Speedtimer” is a nod to these early chronographs, featuring a popular black and white “panda” dial, reasonably proportioned case and vintage-inspired bracelet.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 42mm
- Case Thickness: 14.6mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: White and black
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: 8R48
- Power Reserve: 45 hours
Seiko SPB38 GMT Diver
Another relatively recent release from Seiko, the Seiko SPB383 and its dive watch-GMT siblings are the ultimate crowd pleasers: robust everyday watches that benefit from the ability to track multiple time zones. With elevated details such as an updated movement and a ceramic bezel, this is one of those automatic watches you’ll see on plenty of collectors’ wrists, thanks to it being the complete package.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 42mm
- Case Thickness: 12.9mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Ceramic
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Black
- Water Resistance: 200m
- Movement: 6R54
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
Seiko 5
The Seiko 5 collection has long been the entry point for collecting mechanical watches. Many of the most respected watch enthusiasts began their journey as Seiko fans with a Seiko 5 on their wrist, thanks to the robustness, design range and value for money offered by the collection.
Seiko SSK023
If you’re after an affordable GMT that you can wear on a daily basis, the Seiko SSK023 is an excellent option. Featuring a wearable stainless steel case that measures a touch over 39mm in diameter, it’s paired with a matching stainless steel bracelet, offers 100m of water resistance, and enjoys a high-contrast black dial for easy time telling.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 39.4mm
- Case Thickness: 13.6mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Black
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: 4R34
- Power Reserve: 41 hours
Seiko SRPL01 “Repco Supercars Championship” Edition
If you love your local motorsport as much as you do your watches, this Seiko 5 could be the perfect one for you. Arriving in a special edition box set and featuring a chequered flag-inspired bezel pattern, it’s an ideal stealthy addition to any car-lover’s watch collection.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 42.5mm
- Case Thickness: 13.4mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel and complementary additional urethane strap
- Dial Colour: Black and red
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: 4R36
- Power Reserve: 41 hours
Seiko SRPL89
Seiko collectors have a particular affinity for the brightly coloured dive watches the Japanese watchmaker began producing from the 1980s, and this Seiko SRPL89 is a contemporary expression of that same vibrant energy. And just like the neo-vintage references, it arrives on a comfortable silicone strap, ready for your next dive.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 42.5mm
- Case Thickness: 23.4mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Silicone
- Dial Colour: Orange
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: 4R36
- Power Reserve: 41 hours
Seiko SRPK67
Another motorsports-inspired timepiece that takes a less literal approach to its design, this Seiko 5 features subtle blue highlights on the dial with a pop of orange for the seconds hand. With 100m of water resistance, a solid mechanical movement and a strong steel bracelet, there’s not too much to fault with the SRPK67.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 42.5mm
- Case Thickness: 13.4mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Black and blue
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: 4R36
- Power Reserve: 41 hours
King Seiko
If you’re a regular reader of Boss Hunting, you’ll be well aware of the name Grand Seiko. However, what you might not know is that during the 1960s, Grand Seiko and King Seiko (both subsidiaries within the larger Seiko company) competed against each other to produce their eponymous parent’s best watches.
While watches bearing the Grand Seiko name have been made almost without pause since then, King Seiko watches disappeared from the mid-70s until 2020, when the name was revived with the reissue of the 1965 King Seiko KSK (the original reference was 44-9990). If you’re after a deep dive into the eye-catching design of these watches, investigate Taro Tanaka’s Grammar of Design.
King Seiko SJE087
Featuring the distinctive case shape of the original King Seiko KSK, the Seiko SJE087 (limited edition) is a faithful modern reissue of a timepiece in Seiko’s history that isn’t known as well as it should be. The golden hour markers and hands bring a touch of warmth to the otherwise austere silver dial, while if you flip the watch over, you’ll be greeted with a recreation of the 60s King Seiko emblem on the caseback.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 38.1mm
- Case Thickness: 13,37mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Crocodile leather
- Dial Colour: Silver
- Water Resistance: 50m
- Movement: 6L35
- Power Reserve: 45 hours
King Seiko VANAC SLA083
All the way back in 1972, King Seiko debuted the VANAC collection of watches, which were instantly recognisable thanks to their heavily faceted crystals over brightly coloured dials, and in 2025, the collection made its triumphant return. Featuring the same angular case, faceted crystal, and richly coloured dial, this new reference oozes ’70s flair from every angle.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 41mm
- Case Thickness: 14.3mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Purple
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: 8L45
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
Presage Line
The Seiko Presage Line is a place for the Japanese watchmaker to showcase its decorative acumen: from the creation of remarkable porcelain, enamel and traditional lacquer dials, to its mirror-like case finishing.
If you have an eye for the ‘craft’ of watchmaking, then the Presage line is undoubtedly worthy of your attention.
Seiko SPB495
The Seiko SPB495 is what the Presage collection is all about, celebrating the very best craftsmanship that the Japanese watchmaker is capable of. It features a pure white enamel dial, with classic Roman numerals, and a quartet of eye-catching heat-blued steel hands, while the 6R5H calibre movement beneath the dial promises a reliable 72 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 40.2mm
- Case Thickness: 12.1mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather
- Dial Colour: White enamel
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: 6R5H
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
Seiko SRPK48
The Seiko SRPK48 comes from a sub-collection within the Presage line known as the “Cocktail Time” range, with this reference inspired by the golden volumes of the Half and Half beer cocktail. It’s got plenty of presence on the wrist thanks to its gold-tone stainless steel case and bracelet, while the texture of the dial. istruly mesmerising.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 40.5mm
- Case Thickness: 11.8mm
- Case Material: Gold-tone steel
- Bezel Material: Gold-tone steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Gold-tone steel
- Dial Colour: Gold and brown
- Water Resistance: 50m
- Movement: 4R35
- Power Reserve: 41 hours
Seiko SPB467
One of the most recent additions to the Presage collection is this charming Seiko SPB467, which arrives with an almost universally wearable 40.2mm stainless steel case and comfortable steel bracelet. The star of the show, however, is the textured salmon-tone dial, which brings a touch of warmth to a collection that is otherwise known for its more traditionally finished dials.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 40.2mm
- Case Thickness: 13mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Salmon
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: 6R55
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
Seiko SPB469
Another new Presage reference is the Seiko SPB469, which enjoys a case with the same wearable dimensions as the previously mentioned watch; however, the dial promises to be a constant source of entertainment thanks to its “open-heart” aperture. This window at 9 o’clock offers a look into the ticking mechanical movement, while the dial remains balanced thanks to the 24-hour indicator at 6 o’clock.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 40.2mm
- Case Thickness: 13mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Cream
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: 6R5J
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
Seiko “Sharp Edges” SPB167
This line-up of Seiko Presage Sharp Edges watches is nicknamed “baby Grand Seiko” thanks to their excellent finishing and attention to detail in the design of their dials. Powered by the impressive 6R35 automatic movement with 70 hours of power reserve, the Seiko SPB167 would be a great addition to any watch collection.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 39.2mm
- Case Thickness: 11.1mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Blue
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: 6R35
- Power Reserve: 70 hours
Astron
Named after the world’s first quartz watch that Seiko debuted in 1969, the Astron collection is unfaltering in its commitment to accuracy. With a range of watches that maintain their timekeeping via connections to the GPS network, the Seiko Astron collection never needs a battery change because it is solar-powered.
The benchmark for set-and-forget watchmaking.
Seiko SSH153
Solar-powered and hewn from lightweight titanium (with a ceramic bezel), this Seiko SSH153 is about as sophisticated as the best contemporary watches get without being called a smartwatch. Not only does it have a stopwatch, a perpetual calendar (accurate until 2100), and a world timer, but it is also connected to a GPS network that ensures pinpoint timing accuracy no matter where you are in the world.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 42.3mm
- Case Thickness: 13.4mm
- Case Material: Titanium
- Bezel Material: Ceramic
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Titanium
- Dial Colour: White and black
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: 5X83
- Power Reserve: 2 years between charges
Vintage
While Seiko has a catalogue of hundreds of compelling watches today, its history is all the more rich and fascinating. Here is a small selection of our favourite vintage Seiko watches from decades past.
Seiko SKX007 Diver – 1996
A true legend within the watch world, if the Rolex Submariner is the iconic dive watch, the Seiko SKX007 is its affordable counterpart. The first watch many collectors ever buy, it looks great on a range of different rubber and NATO straps (as well as its original five-link jubilee-style bracelet), is bulletproof in its build quality and wears very nicely on most wrists.
It was a sad day when it was revealed the Seiko Diver was being discontinued in favour of the Seiko 5 collection, but the Seiko SKX007 will remain one of the watch community’s dive watch darlings. While it would cost you less than $300 when it was still in production, prices for the SKX007 have jumped in the years since — expect to pay anywhere between $880 and $1,500 for an example in good condition today.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 42.5mm
- Case Thickness: 13.3mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Black
- Water Resistance: 200m
- Movement: 7S26
- Power Reserve: 41 hours
Seiko Astron, The First-Ever Quartz Watch – 1969
On Christmas Day in 1969, Seiko changed the face of watchmaking forever with the announcement of the quartz-powered Astron watch. The level of disruption the Japanese watch brand created within the Swiss and German watchmaking industries is hard to comprehend, with many European watchmakers ceasing to exist as they struggled to compete with the Astron and its descendants, accurate to ±5 seconds per month and much more affordable.
While quartz watches would quickly become affordable, the very first Astron arrived with an eye-watering price of 450,000 yen (US$1,250) — about the same price as a Toyota Corolla at that time. Original examples are so rare that it’s understood that Seiko produced a copy for the Smithsonian Museum when it requested an example for its collection, and the only examples I’ve seen sold are privately between collectors or locally within Japan. If you find an example, expect to pay at least $15,000 and consider yourself very lucky.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 36mm
- Case Thickness: 11mm
- Case Material: 18ct yellow gold
- Bezel Material: 18ct yellow gold
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather
- Dial Colour: Gold
- Water Resistance: 50m
- Movement: Calibre 35SQ
- Power Reserve: 1 year
Seiko Automatic – 1956
Another relatively rare and important Seiko from the history books is the very first automatic watch released by the watch manufacturer, launched in 1956 (just three years after Patek Philippe’s first automatic calibre made its debut). Featuring a gold-filled case (similar to gold-plated), its hour markers are brilliantly three-dimensional, and it arrived with a power reserve indicator at the 12 o’clock position just above the logo.
Though they’re far from impossible to find, expect to pay between $1,800 and $2,200 for an example kept in reasonably good condition.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 36mm
- Case Thickness: 11mm
- Case Material: 14ct gold filled
- Bezel Material: 14ct gold filled
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather
- Dial Colour: White
- Water Resistance: N/A
- Movement: 11A
- Power Reserve: 36 hours
Seiko 5 Sports Speed-Timer, The First-Ever Automatic Chronograph – 1969
If there’s one thing that watchmakers love to argue about, it’s who was first in the race to invent a new innovation. One such argument that continues to this day is which brand first created the automatic chronograph in 1969: with Heuer’s Calibre 11, Zenith’s El Primero and Seiko’s Calibre 6139 all claiming the accolade. Zenith appears to have announced its movement first (January), while Seiko released its movement to the Japanese market first (May), and Heuer launched to the global market fastest (August).
With the launch of the quartz Astron in the same year, 1969 was a busy one for Seiko, as it also launched the Calibre 6139-powered Seiko 5 Sports Speed-Timer automatic chronograph. One of the earliest references is the 6139-6010, with a day and date complication, as well as a 30-minute chronograph counter. While not terribly rare, an example in good condition should set you back around $2,000.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 41mm
- Case Thickness: 13.2mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Blue
- Water Resistance: 70m
- Movement: Calibre 6139
- Power Reserve: 45 hours
Seiko 150M Diver “62MAS” – 1965
Serving as the inspiration for many recent reissues, the original Seiko 150M Diver “62MAS” from 1965 is a legendary timepiece in the history of Seiko dive watches. The original version from 1965 features a small crown and the ref. 6217-8000, which was followed up in the same year by the ref. 6217-8001 with a larger crown, but both versions featured date widows and arrived on waffle-style rubber straps. To add one of these to your collection isn’t going to be an affordable exercise, so you should expect to pay between $6,000 and $8,000.
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 39mm
- Case Thickness: 13.5mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Rubber
- Dial Colour: Black
- Water Resistance: 150m
- Movement: Caliber 6217
- Power Reserve: Unknown
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