10 best Seiko watches to kickstart your collection

By Charlie Thomas

Seiko watches have long been the choice for those after ultimate value. The brand, founded in 1881, has all the hallmarks of the most prestigious Swiss brands: innovative designs, genuine in-house movements and fastidious build quality. Yet its watches are far more accessible than most, making the brand a favourite among both watch newbies and hardcore collectors.

Where else can you pick up a 200m water resistant, automatic diving watch for less than £380? Seiko has the heritage too. From featuring on the wrist of Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now, Arnie in Commando, and Roger Moore throughout his tenure as Bond, to pioneering the quartz revolution in the ‘70s, Seiko has done it all.

Inspired by the instrument clusters of classic '60s sports cars, this watch combines a vintage feel with a thoroughly modern in-house movement. You can track multiple time zones with it thanks to its GMT function, or just sit back and admire the ‘fume’ grey, gilt dial and applied markers. £580. At seikoboutique.co.uk

Panda-dial watches are particularly lauded for their throwback charm. This one has a trick up its sleeve though, given that it’s powered by a quartz solar movement. The three sub-dials are actually solar panels, which can continue to power this classic looking chronograph long after the battery dies. £590. At seikoboutique.co.uk

The SKX007 was the automatic watch bargain of the 20th century. Introduced in 1996, it came with 200m water resistance, a hardy, stainless steel case, classic diving watch bezel and round hour markers, as well as racy red lettering at 6 o’clock. An easy daily wearer, it represents everything that’s great about the brand: durable build quality, reliable timekeeping and classic Japanese design. £369. At jurawatches.co.uk

By Scarlett Baker

By Yang-Yi Goh

By Daisy Jones

Seiko has a rich history in dive watches, as evidenced by this piece. Inspired by Seiko’s – and Japan’s – first diving watch made in 1965, it’s a fairly faithful reproduction, albeit upgraded with the brand’s state-of-the art 6R35 movement, a part-ceramic bezel and the Seiko’s first in-house, fabric Nato style strap. £1180. At seikoboutique.co.uk

Another re-edition of a classic Seiko design, this model is a recreation of the first ever 5 Sports watch launched in 1968. The distinctly retro styling includes a stainless steel cushion case, the original ‘5’ logo and a brushed, integrated bracelet. It even comes in a period-correct red box that playfully references the original. £350. At hsamuel.co.uk

By Scarlett Baker

By Yang-Yi Goh

By Daisy Jones

Seiko’s tool watch expertise extends beyond just divers. Its field watches have genuine military heritage, with the brand issuing to various forces around the world, including the RAF in the ‘80s and ‘90s. This piece references classic field watches with its easy to read dial and brushed finishing, plus it’s automatic too. £280. At seikoboutique.co.uk

Seiko does dress watches too. This Presage design comes with a Japanese ‘Takumi’ enamel dial finished in a deep navy shade. The sleek, 39.5mm case is slim thanks to the hand-wound movement, while the crocodile leather strap completes the elegant, suit-ready look. £3000. At seikoboutique.co.uk

By Scarlett Baker

By Yang-Yi Goh

By Daisy Jones

It’s not often you find diving watches with GMT functions, but Seiko has combined the two with its brand new 6R54 calibre movement. Coming with a three day power reserve and a ceramic bezel, this diver offers incredible value for money and has all the hallmarks of a future classic with its vintage inspired design and subtle pops of colour. £1400. At seikoboutique.co.uk

A more luxurious sub-branch of the group, King Seiko pieces are notable for their high quality of finishing and slightly dressier designs. This one ups the ante with its unique looking dial, which is inspired by the Japanese chrysanthemum ‘Kiku’ flower with its intricate recurring pattern. Limited to just 600 pieces, it comes with a ‘70s style bracelet, a polished bezel and the 6L35 automatic movement. £3000. At seikoboutique.co.uk

The Seiko Astron was the world’s first quartz watch, nearly breaking the traditional watchmaking industry when it launched in 1969. This one isn’t quite as revolutionary, but it is the world’s first GPS solar watch with its quartz powered 3X62 movement. It’s special because you’ll never have to set the time with it, and it automatically updates remotely via GPS satellite, regardless of where you are in the world. Plus it looks pretty cool with its ‘70s inspired polygonal case, geometric dial and integrated bracelet. £1800. At seikoboutique.co.uk