From Fratello Watches

Top 5 Seiko Watches


Sometimes, I kick myself for having ignored Seiko for so long. Not that I didn’t respect the brand, but my focus up until very recently was almost solely on Swiss and German watchmaking. My last few visits to Seiko at Baselworld, but especially the addition of vintage watch collector Michael Stockton to the Fratello Watches team a few years ago, have made me realize that there are so many nice Seiko watches to explore — new and vintage.

We at Fratellowatches have covered Seiko numerous times in the meantime, and here I finally run down my Top 5 favorite Seiko watches. They comprise a combination of new and vintage Seiko models that are definitely worth checking out if you love watches. Each of them are on this list for a particular reason, from offering great value to simply being stunning.

Without further ado, here are my Top 5 Seiko watches:

1. Seiko Marinemaster 300 SBDX001

SeikoMM300-6-560

The Marinemaster 300 is a serious divers’ watch from the Seiko Prospex (Professional Specification) collection, using a movement (Caliber 8L35) that was used as a base for the Grand Seiko 9S55 caliber. It doesn’t come cheaply (around the $2,000 mark) but the monobloc case, 8L35 movement and attractive appearance still gives you lots of bang for the buck. It can handle its competition from Switzerland and Germany in a higher price range very easily. The only downside to me is the stainless steel bracelet (which comes with most Seiko models), but this watch also comes with a “tropical” lookalike rubber strap (pictured below). We did an in-depth review on the Seiko Marinemaster 300 SBDX001 here.

 

2. Seiko 62MASSeiko62MAS004-560

To me, no “Top 5 Seiko Watches” listing is complete (or even valid) if this piece is missing. It was the very first professional dive watch made by Seiko. The Seiko 62MAS is highly sought after by collectors and first marketed in 1965. It is the mother of all current professional Seiko watches, but also considered the early predecessor of the immensely popular Seiko SKX007 watch (more on which later). We did a review on the Seiko 62MAS here, with a full explanation on its history.

 

3. Grand Seiko SBGW047

GrandSeikoSBGW047-10-560

In 2013, Seiko produced a limited run of 700 pieces of this katana-cased stainless-steel Grand Seiko, Ref. SBGW047. It is an exact visual copy of the 1967 Grand Seiko 44GS, but (of course) now contains a state-of-the-art Grand Seiko 9S64 hand-wound movement. The knife-like design of the case is just stunning and distinguishes Seiko’s Grand Seiko collection from all other high-end watch brands. However, you have to handle it yourself to be able give it the proper appreciation that it deserves. This watch is now out of production, but once in a while it pops up for sale on the well-known online platforms. However, because it is quite rare, prices are all over the place. We did an in-depth review on the Grand Seiko SBGW047 here.

 

4. Seiko Tuna

SeikoTuna-560

The Seiko Tuna (Reference SBDX011), or Grandfather Tuna (Reference 6159-7010 for the vintage model), are big, odd-looking watches, but you will immediately identify them as special. Both are professional divers’ watches, available in a wide variety of executions (mechanical or quartz movements, various case materials). Personally, I love the Tuna and don’t care much whether it is the Grandfather Tuna from the old days or the brand-new SBDX011 or one of its variations. I would even settle for the high-precision quartz-movement version if I had to. The question is, can your wrist handle this watch? We did a comparison review of the original reference 6159-7010 and the current SBDX011 model here.

5. Seiko SKX007SeikoSKX007-560

Part of the Seiko 5 family (because of its Caliber 7S26 movement, according to Seiko), this well-known Seiko SKX007 is also available with a “Pepsi bezel” configuration, known as Reference SKX009. With a retail price of approximately $300 (though it can be found for much less on the market), it is probably one of the best buys one can expect for a watch under a $1,000. The watch has a water resistance of 200 meters, a day-and-date feature and comes on either a rubber strap or a jubilee-type bracelet. This model was introduced in 1996 and is still one of the best-selling mechanical Seiko watches and not without a reason. I bought one myself and love it, so I also bought one for my father, who wears his on a daily basis. It keeps great time and is very sturdy. This particular model has a long history, with the References 7002, 6309, and 6105, and the aforementioned 62MAS as standouts; any of those could have been included here as well, but I decided to use the current model). Click here for a comparison review we did on the Seiko SKX007 and Citizen NY0040.

 

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  1. John Mishanec

    I would respectfully like to suggest the Seiko 6138 Chronograph from the early 70’s your list as you have 3 dive watches and what’s a “best” list without a chronograph? The automatic 6138 was the equal to any Swiss or Geman watch at the time. It’s great value for the money and the variety of cases and dials make up a whole collectoin by itself.

    Reply
  2. AK Ahmed

    I own Grand Seiko SBGW047, though their designs are not much promising and unique but they are hell of high performance and long life watches. One thing more they are a bit expensive as compared to others.

    Reply
  3. Nice list, and it’s nearly impossible to cull it down to just five Seikos. Personally, I don’t think the list is complete without a 6139 chronograph, arguably the first automatic chronograph available for purchase. Column-wheel, vertical clutch, and still a bargain.

    But then you’re leaving out Bell-matics, or early quartz Astrons, or….

    You get the picture. So much Seiko goodness is out there. One of my favorite brands.

    Reply
  4. olivier

    Hello,

    I’m desperately looking for a Seiko 6217
    May you have one to sell to me ?

    Thanks for your answer… this is a serious request.
    olivier

    Reply
    • Stephen Brown

      Hi Olivier, I’m sorry we don’t sell watches, we simply publish WatchTime Magazine and run WatchTime.com

      Good luck in your search.

      Reply
  5. Mario da Silva

    I recently picked up a nice pre-owned Seiko 5 Baby Orange Monster SNZF49K1 automatic in Hong Kong, and was pleasantly surprised it had the (2nd generation) 4R36 with Hacking and Hand-wind, rather than the more popular 7S36 which was without. Of course it’s cert. was to 100m and it had no screw-down crown. I thought it was a good buy at $199.00.

    Reply
  6. JOÃO CARLOS MASTROBERTI

    Tenho este modelo que comprei no ano de 1980, mas ele veio equipado com um movimento ETA a Quartzo. quase não uso por causa disto. detesto ficar trocando baterias. Os automáticos são imbatíveis e fundamentais para relógios de mergulho profissional.

    Reply
  7. fraser stewart

    Gotta love the 7S26 diver watches, reliable, tough and inexpensive, a must for every watch guy.

    Reply
  8. Butch Huff

    Question…is there a better buy in an automatic than a good ol’ Orient Bambino?

    Reply
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