Seiko wristwatches
In 1881, Kintaro Hattori, the founder of Seiko, opened a small watch shop in Tokyo. What began so inconspicuously back then became one of the most important timepiece manufacturers of all time. Seiko developed some of the most groundbreaking innovations in the watch industry. With the legendary Seiko Quartz Astron, the Japanese company launched the world's first mass-produced quartz watch in 1969. In 2012, Seiko then released the world's first GPS solar watch – and deliberately named it Astron, too. Technological milestones have always paved Seiko's path. Anyone who wants to see what the future of the wristwatch will look like today often looks at a Seiko dial.
Seiko watches – classic Japanese craftsmanship and innovative ideas
At Seiko, masterful watchmaking has always met with an intrepid desire for innovation. Seiko is still solely owned by the Hattori family and is one of the few fully integrated watch manufacturers, meaning Seiko develops all components and technologies in-house – from the movement to the dial to the mainspring. Seiko has outstanding expertise in all areas of watchmaking. This is demonstrated by its comprehensive, extremely diverse product range. It ranges from exclusive Presage automatic watches to the high-tech models of the Astron series.
Table of Contents
- From Astron to Seiko 5 Sports – Seiko model series at a glance
- A variety of technologies from automatic to GPS – Seiko watch types
- Seiko wristwatches: design highlights for your wrist
- What you should consider when buying a Seiko watch
- Seiko watches for ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in between and beyond
- How to properly clean and care for Seiko wristwatches
- Buy Seiko watches online at uhrcenter
From Astron to Seiko 5 Sports – Seiko model series at a glance
Each Seiko model series and sub-series follows a clear concept and has a distinctive profile. These include affordable, yet very high-quality wristwatches as well as higher-priced models with exquisite materials and luxurious beauty. Here is an overview of the key collections:
- Astron: Seiko Astron GPS solar watches combine GPS-controlled precision with efficient, resource-saving solar power. Each Astron GPS solar watch automatically receives the time signal from several global satellites every day. This allows it to accurately determine its current position, time zone, and time. It draws its energy from the sun and all other types of light. The first-class features of the dynamic watches and chronographs in the Astron series include titanium cases and bracelets, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, or ceramic bezels. Some Astron watches also feature a large date and functions such as world time or a second time zone display. Ideal for frequent flyers, technology enthusiasts, and all true global citizens.
- Classic: timelessly beautiful, wonderfully understated, and simply "classically" elegant, Seiko's Classic models are a sight to behold. Many of the watches for men and women feature reliable quartz movements and a calm, attractive design. Subdued dials impress with shimmering mother-of-pearl, polished indices, diamond hour markers, and delicate patterns. Elegant round and rectangular case shapes exude vintage nostalgia, while striking two-tone designs add class to any outfit. Perfect for stylish appearances at work and leisure.
- Conceptual series: this series surprises with a wonderfully diverse selection of wristwatches. Sporty chronographs with panda dials are just as common as square watches with leather straps and retro charm. The stylistic play with shapes and colours covers the entire spectrum – from minimalist to extravagant. The Conceptual series brings together both quartz and automatic models, some with solar or kinetic technology. Unconventional in appearance, reliable on the inside – and thus ideal for those who experiment with fashion but want to play it safe technically.
- Premier: the Premier collection primarily offers beautiful dress watches and business watches. Equipped with Seiko's innovative technologies, we encounter classic and modern designs in equal measure. In addition to mechanical automatic calibres, solar-powered quartz movements and kinetic movements are also used. Details such as guilloché dials, dauphiné or lancet hands, delicate skeletonization, and Roman numerals make these watches elegant eye-catchers. For all lovers of the extraordinary.
- Presage: most striking feature? Elegance! The Presage collection delights with mechanical watches of exquisite beauty. Their charming vintage look is often inspired by historical models. Traditional Japanese craftsmanship meets advanced watchmaking technology. Seiko places particular emphasis on dial finishing. Shippo enamel and Urushi lacquer are used, as are fine Arita porcelain and blued hands. Other watches feature dazzling sunray finishes or sophisticated skeletonization. A true treat for watch connoisseurs.
- Prospex: Prospex is a fusion of "Professional" and "Specifications." The line meets the highest quality standards and demonstrates Seiko's enormous expertise in developing multifunctional sports watches. The diver watches in the Prospex series, in particular, enjoy an excellent reputation. Robust cases, screw-down crowns, rotating bezels, LumiBrite luminous colours, high water resistance of up to 100 bar, and first-class solar or automatic movements make them reliable diving buddies for your wrist. Some iconic models are world-famous and bear nicknames like Turtle, Tuna, or Samurai. Prospex watches and chronographs are a must-have, especially for divers, extreme athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Seiko 5 Sports: dynamic, top-of-the-line, and refreshingly different: for over 50 years, the watches in the Seiko 5 Sports series have impressed with spectacular sportiness and urban styles. The cool, expressive designs range from trendy models with colourful dials and casual field watches to breathtaking collector's items and special editions. These durable eye-catchers are all powered by high-quality automatic movements. This is all the more surprising given that the prices of Seiko 5 Sports watches are generally very affordable. This, along with their sporty character, makes them the ideal everyday watch for current and future generations of watch enthusiasts.
- Sport: the collection's robust wristwatches and chronographs are aimed at those who are constantly on the move and active in sports. Featuring sturdy materials, practical stopwatch functions, luminous hands, tachymeters, and screw-down case backs, they are a reliable companion during training, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, or on adventures. Seiko Sport watches are uncomplicated, dynamic, and fit for life.
A variety of technologies from automatic to GPS – Seiko watch types
Seiko develops the movements for its watches in-house, covering all watch types – from mechanical wristwatches to radio- and GPS-controlled models.
- Automatic watches: Seiko's automatic calibres, such as the 6R35 or 4R36, draw their energy from wrist movement and offer impressive power reserves of up to 70 hours. Seiko automatic watches are robust, low-maintenance, and precise – making them perfect for anyone who appreciates mechanical watchmaking with high everyday utility.
- Solar watches: Seiko solar watches are powered by natural and all sources of artificial light and require no batteries. They thus respond to the need for sustainability and the ecological spirit of the times. Solar watches ensure maximum energy efficiency with minimal maintenance. With a Seiko solar watch, you choose sporty yet elegant design and the latest, future-oriented technology.
- Radio-controlled watches and GPS watches: always accurate to the second – these watches receive time signals via radio or satellite, automatically synchronize with the transmitted time signal, and also independently adjust for summer and winter time. Unlike radio-controlled watches, which often only work in a small part of the world's landmass, a Seiko GPS watch identifies all official time zones in the world. Whether you are in the high mountains, the depths of the ocean, or in the middle of the desert, the GPS-controlled watch displays your exact position and local time.
- Radio-controlled solar watches and GPS solar watches: in these high-tech watches, Seiko combines the highest precision with sustainable solar power. The result is the best of both worlds: timepieces that work completely without battery changes and manual time setting.
- Quartz watches: even Seiko's extremely accurate, long-lasting quartz watches rarely require battery changes. With the first mass-produced quartz watch, Seiko plunged the competing watch world into the so-called quartz crisis – and launched its ongoing success story as one of the leading global brands.
- Diving watches: Seiko diver's watches meet professional demands and meet the highest standards, such as ISO 6425. Since the introduction of Japan's first diving watch in 1965, Seiko has been considered a pioneer in this watch genre as well. Seiko was not only the first manufacturer to use titanium for the case; the legendary accordion strap is also the work of Seiko engineers. Models from the Prospex series still leave nothing to be desired, with unidirectional rotating bezels, LumiBrite luminous material, screw-down crowns, and a water resistance of at least 20 bar.
Seiko wristwatches: design highlights for your wrist
Seiko's design is primarily functional: colours and especially the materials of cases and watch bands not only play an important aesthetic role – they also significantly influence wearability and durability.
- Stainless steel: classic, robust, with a pleasant weight.
- Titanium: extremely robust, noticeably lighter than stainless steel, and also extremely skin-friendly.
- Leather: elegant and supple, usually fits easily under any sleeve, developing its own unique patina over time.
- Silicone/Nylon/Textile: ideal for sports, lightweight, durable, and breathable, perfect in any temperature and weather, even in extreme heat or wet conditions.
- Colour worlds: from silver, gold, and rose gold to bold blue and dark green to deepest black – Seiko offers the perfect look for every individual taste.
What you should consider when buying a Seiko watch
The purchase of your new Seiko watch should be based on a conscious decision. In addition to fundamental considerations regarding the design and functions of the watch, factors such as price and primary purpose play a key role. The appearance and technical features should suit you and your personal lifestyle. The following criteria can help you make the right choice:
- Movement and watch type: automatic or quartz? Solar-powered or GPS-enabled? Elegant three-hand watch or chronograph? Dress watch or outdoor watch? One thing is certain: with Seiko, you have a wealth of options and the freedom of choice.
- Materials: what would you prefer? The classic combination of stainless steel and fine leather, robust and timelessly chic? Or perhaps your heart beats for the modern, ultra-lightweight comfort of titanium? If you're outdoors in all weathers and love sports, tear-resistant, durable straps made of silicone, nylon, or textile and a lightweight, tough case are definitely recommended.
- Water resistance: all Seiko models are water-resistant to at least 3 bar and are therefore protected against splashes of water. If you plan to wear your watch while showering or swimming in the pool, it should be water-resistant to at least 10 bar. If your watch is water-resistant to at least 20 bar, it is suitable for diving, but please be aware of the depth and the resulting pressure.
- Watch crystal: Seiko often equips high-quality models, such as those from the Presage, Prospex, or Astron series, with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Seiko also uses so-called Hardlex crystal. This is a proprietary, hardened version of mineral crystal that, thanks to a special hardening process, is significantly more robust than conventional mineral crystal, although not as scratch-resistant as sapphire crystal.
- Legibility: clear contrasts and large hands and indices that luminesce thanks to LumiBrite ensure that Seiko watches remain easily legible at all times, even in the dark, underwater, and in poor lighting conditions. The sports and diving watches of the Prospex line in particular are designed to be clearly illuminated and precisely recognizable in every situation and lighting environment.
Seiko watches for ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in between and beyond
Women's watches, men's watches, unisex models – for Seiko, there's more than one for everyone! The Japanese company designs its watches beyond gender stereotypes, but with a keen eye for detail. You alone decide which model suits you best:
- Men's watches: the case size of most Seiko men's watches ranges from 40 to 45 mm in diameter, with stainless steel watches being heavier than watches with titanium cases. Technical finesse and high functionality are just as characteristic as refined details and striking colour schemes.
- Women's watches: Seiko women's watches are generally somewhat more compact and delicate. Their cases measure between 28 and 36 mm, making them light and comfortable to wear with either a delicate leather strap or a metal band. Gold, silver, and also rose gold dominate the colour scheme, with dials featuring sunray cuts, shimmering mother-of-pearl, diamond-studded indices, delicate patterns, and delicate shades. In terms of technology and craftsmanship, they are naturally in no way inferior to men's watches.
- Unisex models: Some Seiko series, including the Presage and Classic collections, delight with unisex models. These watches appeal to everyone equally in terms of size and design. Whether simple and elegant, decidedly sporty and casual, or glamourous and extravagant: Seiko's gender-neutral timepieces are real eye-catchers on every wrist and perfectly complement your outfit at any time.
How to properly clean and care for Seiko watches
Seiko watches are extremely high-quality and robust. Nevertheless, these timepieces also require a certain amount of care to ensure you enjoy them for many years. Regardless of the case and strap material, you should avoid contact with skin creams, lotions, or perfumes. Cosmetics, as well as sweat and salt water, can damage the materials. When wearing watches with leather straps, please note that leather is a natural product and can develop water and sweat stains. Therefore, for sports or in the summer, stainless steel or rubber straps are recommended in addition to nylon or silicone straps. Speaking of summer: avoid placing your watch in direct sunlight, as UV radiation can bleach the dial and strap, and the heat can damage them. Furthermore, large temperature fluctuations can negatively affect the accuracy of the watch.
Soft cotton or microfibre cloths are ideal for polishing and drying your Seiko watch. Fine dirt particles or sand can be easily removed with a soft toothbrush. If dirt has gotten into the grooves and cracks between the case, bezel, or bracelet links, it's best to carefully remove it with a brush. If your watch is water-resistant to 5 bar or higher, you can also clean it under running water. Avoid using detergents or other cleaning agents; use mild soapy water or plain water instead. Always dry your watch thoroughly with a soft cotton cloth after cleaning. With high-quality mechanical watches in particular an expert watch service should be carried out approximately every five to seven years. In certain cases, such as diving watches where water resistance is paramount, more frequent service may be advisable.
Buy Seiko watches online at uhrcenter
If you want to buy Seiko watches online, you've come to the right place at uhrcenter. We are an authorized global Seiko retailer and always offer a comprehensive selection of the latest collections and models. You benefit from our many years of expertise as an online jeweller. Our competent customer service is happy to assist you with any questions you may have about your order and, of course, even after your purchase.
Buy Seiko watches online at uhrcenter – your advantages:
- Excellent customer service: our professional team will be happy to advise you on all your concerns.
- Gift wrapping service: upon request, we will attractively gift-wrap your order.
- 30-day returns: you can easily exchange or return unused items within 30 days.
- Free shipping within Germany: we cover shipping costs within Germany for orders over € 40.
Tip: if you pay by advance or instant bank transfer, we'll give you a 3% advance payment discount.
Just browse through our impressive selection of Seiko watches and find your personal favourite right now. Online shopping at uhrcenter: quality and service that inspire.
