Japanese watchmaking may not have the prestige that its Swiss counterpart enjoys, but the industry inside the country is as healthy and thriving as it could be. Seiko, Casio, and Citizen are just a few of the brands that make Japanese watchmaking more noticed around the world. Using extensive watch technologies with quality materials wrapped in reasonable pricing, watches from Japan comprise at least a third of the whole watch industry.
The quartz revolution started with Seiko, and up until smartwatches, the Japanese watchmakers are the only ones who’ve truly employed new technologies to watches. Remember the calculator watch from Casio?
Although, in watches with mechanical movement, Japanese watchmakers are still catching up on their Swiss counterparts, suffice it to say that they’re an important part of the industry. Here are the best Japanese watches you can buy right now:
Casio Oceanus
Probably one of the most handsome timepieces from Casio, the Oceanus is not only outfit with the best solar movement from the company but also carries the best watch materials in the business. You get a sapphire crystal on top, scratch-resistant, and anti-reflection coating, with a stainless steel case that seamlessly connects to the bracelet of the same material.
The Casio Oceanus OCW-S100-1AJF, in particular, has a nice deep blue dial, with a power-saving function and date display complication. The calendar is automatic, so you won’t have to worry about powering it up every now and then if the battery runs out. It’s waterproof up to 10 bar, which means you can use it at pool parties and even swim with it in the ocean.
Orient Bambino 2nd Gen Version III
A popular watch for the enthusiasts, the Bambino is heralded to be one of the finest watches that has ever come out of Japan. The automatic watch is a beauty in the wrist, with finer styling and stylistic choices reserved for the more expensive wristwatches in the world. The kicker? The 2nd Gen Version III can be ¼ of the price of starter Swiss watches.
Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk
Citizen is one of those watch brands that have an enormous following, not only in its native Japan but also around the world. The brand supports most sporting events as a major sponsor and is known to give out their best watches for winners. The famous Eco-Drive movement from the company is the standard for all solar and kinetic movements, not just in form but also in affordability.
The Promaster Nighthawk is not the cheapest of the watches listed here, but for its starting price, we think that you’re actually getting your money’s worth. Looks alone, you can’t fault this watch. The antique styling with the modern dial is breathtaking, and that’s not to mention you get a perpetual calendar, 26 time zones automatic adjustments, plus an anti-shock feature. What more can you ask for really?
Seiko Prospex “Black Ion” Diver’s Watch
Seiko has been the go-to brand for most watch connoisseurs looking to buy an affordable automatic watch. The Seiko 5 line is legendary for its value as well as looks, not to mention it is incredibly affordable to get one! The Prospex line, on the other hand, holds the more refined stylings from the brand, and the Black Ion Diver’s Watch is a testament to the company’s sophistication.
Grand Seiko Snowflake
You can’t have a “best Japanese watches” list without mentioning Grand Seiko’s Snowflake watch. This watch is a legend in itself – the best representation of Japanese watchmaking at one point in time. The Snowflake got its name from its dial, which is a bright, almost off-white color that’s delicately styled to perfection.
This watch introduced the peak of the Spring Drive movement from the company, which combines the accuracy of a quartz watch into the heart of an automatic movement. The watch case is entirely made of high-grade titanium and the dual-curved sapphire crystal stands as its glass material.
Takeaway
Getting the best Japanese watches nowadays is pretty straightforward. Most of these items listed here you can get on your favorite watch repositories, or get them straight from the brands’ websites as well. And the majority of the watches won’t break the bank, so if you have money to spend, then we’re sure that these are nice additions to your collection.
