A beginner’s guide to buying your first Seiko watch

If you are looking to learn about Seiko as a brand and are searching for tips on how to buy your first Seiko watch, you are definitely in the right place. In this guide to buying your first Seiko, we will explore the history of Seiko, some of the differences in Seiko’s sub-brands, and how to go about beginning your collection. 

A brief history of Seiko 

Those looking to buy a Seiko may be interested to learn about the brand’s history. 

Seiko’s story began in 1881, when 22-year-old Entrepreneur, Kintaro Hattori, opened a shop in central Tokyo. Since then, Seiko’s brand has grown exponentially, and Seiko has forged a reputation for creating some of the world’s most durable, value-for-money timepieces. 

You don’t need a huge budget to buy a beautiful, functional piece that you can wear and enjoy on a daily basis- many models can be bought for as little as $250. 

There are some overriding values that tie the different Seiko collections together. 

• Value 
• Quality 
• In-house movement ethos 

An introduction to Seiko’s collections 

Seiko’s catalog of watches is extremely large and diverse, however, you should not let the breadth of diversity put you off buying a Seiko. 

Arguably, you shouldn’t buy a vintage watch as your first watch, as selecting a good vintage timepiece often takes specialist knowledge and a great deal of research. 

Here we will provide a summary of some of Seiko’s notable current sub-brands: 

Seiko Credor

Crafted from precious metals, the Credor sub-brand was established in 1974. Many Credors feature stunning enamel dials. 

Compare prices for Seiko Credor >

Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko split from the main Seiko brand in 2016. However, Grand Seiko remains true to Seiko’s core values. Choose from an array of metals including platinum, gold, titanium, and enjoy the beautifully crafted dials. Compare prices for Grand Seiko >

Seiko Prospex

Seiko Prospex watches are stylish tool watches which are excellent value for money. Prospex timepieces are divided into four categories; Sea, Land, Sky, and Street. 

Compare for Seiko Prospex >

Seiko Presage

Seiko Presage watches are affordable dress watches that come in a multitude of styles to suit all tastes. 

Compare prices for Seiko Presage >

Seiko Recraft

With an appealing retro, mid-century aesthetic, Seiko Recraft timepieces are ideal for those looking for a new watch with a vintage feel. 

Seiko 5 Sports

Seiko 5 Sports are extremely affordable and have features that are perfect for those who spend a lot of time indulging in outdoor pursuits. 

Seiko Astron

The Seiko Astron line contains many watches that have a huge number of impressive features, including being 100% solar-powered and GPS-connected. 

Compare prices for Seiko Astron >

Seiko Premier

Seiko Premier’s are simple, sleek, and modern dress watches – ideal for formal functions. 

Seiko Coutura

Impressively, Seiko Coutura are solar-powered watches that link up to atomic clock references in order to enable the most accurate timekeeping possible. 

Seiko Diamond

True to its name, the Seiko diamond collection features genuine mother of pearl dials and real diamonds for a luxurious and timeless appeal. 

Seiko Core

Finally, the Seiko Core range is very diverse and is affordable for the first-time watch buyer. The Seiko Core range features styles to suit all tastes. 

How do I choose a Seiko? 

When buying a Seiko there are several things to bear in mind: 

1. Choose features that are useful to you

Seiko watches are powered by a variety of technologies to suit different preferences. For example, quartz technology uses a battery, whereas other models are powered by solar energy or even kinetic technology which uses the body’s movement to generate power. 

2. Select features that suit your lifestyle

Seiko watches come with a fantastic array of features including GPS, alarm, stopwatch, perpetual calendar, and even moon phases. Sports fans can even select timepieces worn by their preferred teams and athletes, such as FC Barcelona. 

3. Consider your water resistance needs

Most Seikos will be fine if they get wet doing everyday tasks, however, many Seikos can also be fully immersible in water. Seiko is renowned for creating watches for divers, and some Seikos are even suitable for diving as far as 200 meters. Just make sure that the strap you choose will also be fine in water. 

4. Choose a Seiko that you love and that speaks to your personality

After ensuring that your new Seiko will work from a practical point of view, it is important that your Seiko will fit with your personality and individual sense of style. By taking the time to choose a Seiko that you really love you can make sure that your new timepiece will last you well into the future.



What do you think of this Beginner’s Guide to Buying your Seiko? Let us know in the comments.

Read more:

Seiko SKX007 Review: The Best Value Dive Watch

15 Fashionable Salmon Dial Watches for Men

A Definitive Guide to Buying your First Panerai Watch

Rolex Nickname Guide You Should Swear By