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Founded in 1881, Seiko is Japan’s leading watch company and one of the world’s largest in-house watch manufactures. In addition to Seiko branded watches, they also produce high-end timepieces under the Grand Seiko and Credor labels.

10.08.2020
James Robinson

Seiko answer people's prayers with the smaller and bezel-less 2020 Seiko 5 Sports models

Say what you will, but there are few cooler mods you can make to a stainless steel sports watch than removing its bezel … just ask Marlon Brando. It's obviously a sentiment that Seiko agrees with, as 2020 has seen them release no fewer than 11 new iterations of its iconic 5 Sports model without the uni-directional, ratcheting diver's bezel. And the response? Rescapement calls them "The most important [watch] of 2020." Seiko has replaced the functional feature with a brushed, fixed bezel with a highly polished outer lip. To our eyes, this seemingly innocuous move has completely changed the overall character of the watch – it now looks much more akin to something like a field/daily timepiece, rather than a watch geared towards marine activity. However, it isn't the only change that these new 5 Sports bring. They've also shrunk from 42.5mm to just 40mm. Hallelujah. That means even more bandwidth, and for smaller-wristed fellows like myself, a much more attractive proposition. The bezel-less beauties will be made available in a number of distinct finishes, including brushed stainless steel, two-tone steel and yellow gold or pink gold or a fully blacked-out variant with a hardened coating (which looks seriously tough)…. Read More

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08.08.2020
Thor Svaboe

IN DEPTH: The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Vs. Seiko Prospex SPB147J – the battle of gilty pleasures

Tudor Black Bay 58 Vs. Seiko Prospex SPB147

If a watch has become synonymous with the One Watch Collection, a quintessential vintage diver, or the perfect Sub reissue Rolex never released, it's the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight. In fact, care of the recent navy blue update, it's currently as viral as the AD waiting lists are long. Personally, I love vintage tool watches, and especially the quiet bling that a warm touch of gold brings to the party. But can we find alternatives in the same perfect 38-40mm size from another big box brand? Yes, we can — from Seiko, well known for their brilliant vintage reissues, but also for being large. Ergonomically superb they may be, but with the different tastes of the Asian and US markets (in HK the BB58 is being marketed as a ladies' watch), still predominantly large chunks of 42-44mm steel. This changed with the recent release of the 40.5mm SPB143-147 and SPB149 Vintage Diver Re-creation trio. Still on the chubby side height-wise, but at a third of the price of the Black Bay Fifty-Eight, is the SPB147J the gilt champ? The fighters enter the arena … A duel of cases The comfort prize is won by the Black Bay Fifty-Eight, by simple… Read More

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04.08.2020
Nick Kenyon

HANDS-ON: The Seiko SPB151J and Seiko SPB153J are modern Apocalypse Now reissues, and they're ready for 2020

Seiko SPB151J and Seiko SPB153J

Last year, Seiko fans around the world had a collective skipping of heartbeats when the Japanese firm announced the release of the SLA033. This was no normal Seiko dive watch. As its full name suggests, the Seiko Diver's Re-Creation Limited Edition SLA033, is a watch inspired by one of the most iconic Seiko dive watches of all time — the 6105. The 6105 was forever embroidered in the fabric of popular culture when it was worn by Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now. The model was favoured by real American G.Is in combat, which made the placement all that more authentic. This year, Seiko have announced the release of the Seiko SPB151J and Seiko SPB153J, two new references based on the classic 6105 wristwatch. But what is different — and what will be most exciting for enthusiasts about these two — is they won't be produced in limited numbers. A watch from humble beginnings, the 6105 was launched into the stratosphere when it found its way onto the wrist of Martin Sheen as he starred as Captain Willard in blockbuster film Apocalypse Now. Ever since, it has been one of the most sought-after historical Seiko references, with examples in good condition commanding… Read More

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10.08.2020
James Robinson

Seiko answer people's prayers with the smaller and bezel-less 2020 Seiko 5 Sports models

Say what you will, but there are few cooler mods you can make to a stainless steel sports watch than removing its bezel … just ask Marlon Brando. It's obviously a sentiment that Seiko agrees with, as 2020 has seen them release no fewer than 11 new iterations of its iconic 5 Sports model without the uni-directional, ratcheting diver's bezel. And the response? Rescapement calls them "The most important [watch] of 2020." Seiko has replaced the functional feature with a brushed, fixed bezel with a highly polished outer lip. To our eyes, this seemingly innocuous move has completely changed the overall character of the watch – it now looks much more akin to something like a field/daily timepiece, rather than a watch geared towards marine activity. However, it isn't the only change that these new 5 Sports bring. They've also shrunk from 42.5mm to just 40mm. Hallelujah. That means even more bandwidth, and for smaller-wristed fellows like myself, a much more attractive proposition. The bezel-less beauties will be made available in a number of distinct finishes, including brushed stainless steel, two-tone steel and yellow gold or pink gold or a fully blacked-out variant with a hardened coating (which looks seriously tough)…. Read More

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31.07.2020
Nick Kenyon

VIDEO: The Seiko SPB151J and Seiko SPB153J are contenders for the hottest divers of 2020

One of the most iconic Seiko dive watches of all time is the 6105, a watch that was worn on the wrist of Martin Sheen as he starred as Captain Willard in the blockbuster film Apocalypse Now. This year, Seiko have announced the release of the Seiko SPB151J and Seiko SPB153J, two new references based on the classic 6105. The Seiko SPB151J keeps a closer relationship to the original 6105, with the same matte black dial and wide black bezel that sits proudly above the rest of the case. On the dial of the Seiko SPB151J there are those classic Seiko-style blocky lume-filled hour markers, and a date window at 3 o'clock, with the dial text updated in this reference. In the Seiko SPB153J, the new olive green bezel and dial are a refreshing new addition to the collection. The muted tone of the green keeps it under the radar, as well as invoking a vaguely militaristic impression that might be a nod to Captain Willard in the jungles of Vietnam.   Both the Seiko SPB151J and Seiko SPB153J have a couple of nice details that really make you appreciate the effort that has gone into these watches. Both are… Read More

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30.07.2020
Zach Blass

The best JDM Seiko and Grand Seiko watches and how you can get them, even if you don't live in Japan

how to get jdm watches

Within the thriving community of Seiko and Grand Seiko enthusiasts, some of the most highly prized watches are released only in the Japanese Domestic Market and the magic acronym you'll hear more than any other in this community is indeed 'JDM'. These JDM pieces might not be the most expensive, or limited in production numbers, but for anyone living outside of Japan they are highly prized for being tricky to get in other countries around the world. So how to get JDM watches out of Japan? It certainly isn't impossible to add a JDM reference to your collection. You just need to know the best ways to go about it. We spoke with James Davison (@seikoman35), an Australian Seiko and Grand Seiko collector and dealer who shared a few tips to getting the watch that you want without too much hassle or paying too much. He is one of the co-creators of Two Vintage Seikos (@two_vintage_seikos), an innovative Instagram-based auction page that almost exclusively sells Seiko and Grand Seiko references that James sources directly from Japan. When I asked how best to get a JDM reference from one of the manufacturers, he offered two solutions. 1. Know a guy As… Read More

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25.07.2020
James Robinson

HANDS-ON: The Seiko Prospex SNR045J is like a Rolex "Hulk" Submariner on steroids

The first time I held the Seiko Prospex SNR045J in my hands, I laughed, turned to my left, and said to Deputy Editor Nick Kenyon, "What on earth is this?" To describe the limited edition dive watch as evocative is more than an understatement – it conjures up many, many thoughts in my mind, scrambles them, and leaves me feeling very confused, for a number of reasons. Firstly, it's yet another (ir)regular Seiko that blurs the lines between Seiko and Grand Seiko. Secondly, look at the size of it! Who is this watch made for? And thirdly, why can't I stop staring? And why is it only looking and feeling better the longer I have it attached to my wrist? Well, as a consequence of these perplexing queries, I spent the next 48 hours wearing the Hulky puck, steadfast that I'd get to the bottom of my curiosities, which, I hazard to guess, might be some of your curiosities too. The case BIG … it's bloody big. How big? Enormous. More specifically – 44.8mm across and a positively chonky 15.7mm thick. And these measurements only tell half the story. Because the lugs are short and quite stubby, and the overall… Read More

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