Best Seiko Watches of 2024 for Men Seeking a Trusted Timepiece

06.11.2023 23:30

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Similar to Timex and Citizen, the best Seiko watches are dependable, practical, and often sold at reasonable price points (think watches under $500 and watches under $1,000). Those are just some of the reasons why Seiko has managed to gain the attention of watch enthusiasts across the globe, while other lower-priced makers have fallen off the map.

It’s tough to compete with a company that's been doing things this well for this long. Seiko originated as a jewelry store in 1881, built the first Japanese-made wristwatch in 1913, and made the world's first commercial quartz wristwatch in 1969.

While the brand offers some of the best field watches, dive watches, and GMT watches, our choice for the best Seiko watch overall as part of our 2024 Watch Guide is the Prospex Sea 1965 Diver. It truly embodies the brand, as it's a recreation of Seiko's famous 1965 diver.

Best Seiko Watches at a Glance

Best Seiko Watch Overall: Seiko Prospex Sea 1965 Diver, Black Series
Best Seiko Dive Watch: Prospex Solar GMT Diver
Best Seiko Sport Watch: Seiko Astron GPS Solar Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition
Best Seiko Watch Under $500: Seiko “Turtle” SRPE93
Best Seiko Dress Watch: King Seiko KS1969

Best Seiko Watches of 2024

Best Seiko Watch Overall: Seiko Prospex Sea 1965 Diver, Black Series

Seiko Prospex Sea 1965 Diver, Black Series Watch

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A reinterpretation of the famed 1965 62MAS, Japan’s first-ever diver, the stealth design of Black Series reflects its heritage and features long-lasting Green Lumibrite Pro on the hour and seconds hands, as well as the indexes. It shines a vivid green even in the darkest places and is water resistant up to 200 meters.

CASE: Stainless steel
MOVEMENT: Automatic with manual winding
DIAL: Black
SIZE: 41.3mm
STRAP: Fabric

Best Seiko Dive Watch: Prospex Solar GMT Diver

Prospex Solar GMT Diver Watch

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At 45mm, Prospex Solar GMT Diver is large for most wrists without being overwhelming. What’s really great about this watch is it delivers everything you want from a great diver for under $800. It’s water resistant up to 200 meters, can be charged by any light source (and has a nine-month power reserve once fully charged). Bottom line: It manages to be both rugged and stylish.

CASE: Stainless steel
MOVEMENT: Automatic Solar 5K65
DIAL: Light blue
SIZE: 45mm
STRAP: Stainless-steel bracelet

Best Seiko Sport Watch: Seiko Astron GPS Solar Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition

Seiko Astron GPS Solar Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition

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Released as part of Seiko’s 100th anniversary celebration, Seiko Astron GPS Solar Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition pays tribute to the company’s founder. This collection is known for connecting to GPS and adjusting to every time zone at the touch of a button, while also generating all necessary energy from light alone. This limited-edition ticker features a black case and bracelet with yellow gold-colored accents, while the two-part bezel consists of a ceramic upper portion and a yellow gold-colored titanium frame. The caseback, meanwhile, features the founder’s name along with the trademark "S" he registered in 1900 as a symbol of the Seikosha factory. Right above the trademark appears the phrase that captures the company’s philosophy: “One step ahead of the rest."

CASE: Titanium
MOVEMENT: Caliber 5X83
DIAL: Black and gold
SIZE: 43.3mm
STRAP: Titanium

Best Seiko Watch Under $500: Seiko “Turtle” SRPE93

Seiko "Turtle" SRPE93 Watch

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“Turtle” isn’t an official name from Seiko. Rather, it’s one given to the watch style by fans due to its curvaceous shape. Comfortable, practical, and unpretentious, Seiko “Turtle” SRPE93 perfectly represents why so many watch enthusiasts have become Seiko fans . The watch has its own nickname, after all. They do just about everything well, and while its 45mm size might sound big, it actually fits most wrists just right. Additionally, it gets 200 meters of water resistance, an impressive feat in any watch under $500.

CASE: Stainless steel
MOVEMENT: Seiko 4R36 automatic
DIAL: Black
SIZE: 45mm
STRAP: Silicone

Best Seiko Dress Watch: King Seiko KS1969

Seiko King Seiko KS1969 Watch

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The King Seiko collection celebrates some of the brand’s finest watches from the 1960s, but of all the watches rolled out under the series over the last year or so, it's King Seiko KS1969 that's the most impressive. Based on the King Seiko 45KCM from 1969, the new ticker adopts the curved contours of the original, reworking them with modern themes. The ergonomic thought process can be seen reiterated throughout the design, such as in the multifaceted index at 12 o’clock, which is designed with a pattern that evokes the feather fletching of an arrow, familiar from traditional Japanese archery.

The timepiece comes in three colors (silver, purple, and green), each signifying differing elements of Japan. Silver references the modern cityscape of Tokyo; purple signifies the traditional "Edo purple" Japanese hue; green captures the plant life that's covered parts of Tokyo over the years.

CASE: Stainless steel
MOVEMENT: Automatic with manual winding
DIAL: Silver, purple, or green
SIZE: 39.4mm
STRAP: Steel multi-row bracelet

More Seiko Watches We Love

Best Retro Seiko Watch: Seiko Presage Style ’60s

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This affordable Seiko—with a stylish, retro look—hits on all levels. From the 40.8mm case to the three-link bracelet, Seiko Presage Style ’60s offers the kind of understated beauty that pairs perfectly with just about any night out or important meeting.

CASE: Stainless steel
MOVEMENT: Automatic Seiko 4R39
DIAL: Ivory
SIZE: 41mm
STRAP: Stainless-steel bracelet

Best Big Seiko Watch: Seiko Prospex Solar Analog-Digital Diver

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Seiko Prospex Solar Analog-Digital Diver is a reinterpretation of the H558-5009 watch Arnold wore in Predator—affectionately known as "Arnie." If it’s the right timepiece for him to wear while killing the ultimate killing machine from space, it’s good enough for everyone else.

CASE: Stainless steel and plastic
MOVEMENT: Solar
DIAL: Black
SIZE: 47.8mm
STRAP: Silicone

Best Vintage-Inspired Seiko Watch: Seiko Recraft Solar Chronograph

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Inspired by vintage Seiko styling, Recraft Solar Chronograph will save you a pretty penny when it comes to servicing. Add in the very reasonable price tag alongside the Recraft series’ impressive looks, and it’s easy to see why this watch—along with the SSC669—has quickly become a favorite among brand loyalists.

CASE: Stainless steel
MOVEMENT: Solar
DIAL: Blue
SIZE: 43.6mm
STRAP: Nylon

Best Limited-Edition Seiko Watch: 110th Anniversary Seiko Presage Craftsmanship Series Limited Edition

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Part of a collection celebrating traditional Japanese crafts, 110th Anniversary Seiko Presage Craftsmanship Series Limited Edition honors traditional porcelain artistry. The dial comes in an ivory (“hakugourai”) color inspired by the Izumiyama Ceramic Stone Field in Arita, the center for Japanese porcelain for more than 400 years. Only 1,500 of these beauties were made, featuring an individual serial number engraved on each caseback.

CASE: Stainless steel
MOVEMENT: Automatic with manual winding
DIAL: White
SIZE: 40.6mm
STRAP: Calfskin

Why You Should Buy a Seiko Watch

Most famous for introducing the world’s first quartz wristwatch back in 1969, Seiko makes top-quality watches with various types of movements, from automatic to quartz. With options that range from high-tech divers to classy dress watches to sporty everyday favorites, Seiko timepieces are known for being affordable, dependable, sturdy, and well-crafted.

Seiko is arguably the most versatile and accessible luxury watch brand out there. Where else can you find a quality diver that’s water resistant up to 200 meters for less than $500? Choosing the best Seiko from so many worthy nominees is no simple (or definitive) task. If Prospex Sea 1965 Diver isn't quite your style, this well-rounded list of Seiko gems will point you in the right direction.

Why You Should Trust Me

My fascination with watches has consumed me since coveting my grandfather’s 1957 Hamilton as a kid. I've since covered menswear for over a decade. I've written about award shows and fashion shows featuring everything from formalwear and streetwear to swimwear. I spend my days traveling from Los Angeles to Copenhagen to Athens and beyond in search of the latest trends for men in wine, spirits, fashion, and music.