The 8 Finest Japanese Watch Brands: A Full Information for 2022 | JEEX911

The exterior of Switzerland, Japan might be the best-known watchmaking nation, producing among the world’s finest watches in each class and at almost every worth level. 

When most individuals take into consideration Japanese watches, their ideas nonetheless doubtless envision principally cheap and principally quartz-powered watches from well-known, mass-market manufacturers like Casio, Seiko, and Citizen. 

and to make certain, Japan is rightly thought to be a price chief within the international watch market, led by cheap however wildly standard and collectible watches like Casio's G-Shocks and Seiko's

 classically styled, automated diver’s watches just like the SKX collection. Nonetheless, Japan can also be a superb supply for watches within the mid-level, luxurious, and high-watchmaking classes, from

 each of the nation's handful of main gamers in addition to from thrilling, youthful impartial manufacturers.

In this article, we'll check out among the finest manufacturers popping out of the Land of the Rising Solar proper now; we'll in fact cowl the large ones you 

want to know in addition to just a few smaller manufacturers that must be on your radar, all to offer a basic overview of the Japanese watch {industry}. 

To maintain issues attention-grabbing, we'll checklist a pair of notable watches from every model and sometimes a current notable launch.

 For extra Japanese watches, you should definitely take a look at our compilation of The Finest Seiko Watches, in addition to The 40 Finest Computerized Watches Beneath $500, which can also be chock stuffed with watches from Japan.

Casio

                       

There’s an excellent probability your first watch was a Casio. Casio was based in 1946 by Tadao Kashio, whose first main product was a yubiwa pipe (go look it up, you’ll be pleasantly shocked).

 Within the Fifties, Kashio would go on to make electro-mechanical calculators. It wasn’t till the Seventies, nevertheless, that Casio made its first watch. 

It was referred to as the Casiotron, which, unsurprisingly, was a quartz watch. From then on, Casio took off and began introducing extra diverse fashions with all kinds of various features.

 These watches had been correct, powerful, enjoyable, and reasonably priced. It’s little marvel then that Casio watches had been and are the primary watch for thus many individuals.

Immediately, Casio might be most prominently represented by the G-Shock assortment. Launched in 1983, G-Shocks have grown to turn out to be cultural and horological icons. 

And prior to now decade, Casio began to introduce extra upmarket and superior G-Shocks that include chrome steel development, carbon fiber instances, superior sensors like GPS, and Bluetooth connectivity. 

The MR-G lineup of G-Shocks, specifically, additionally celebrates Japanese historical past by that includes watches adorned by conventional Japanese craftsmen utilizing historic strategies just like the hammer end derived from historic samurai weaponry.

Our Favourite Casio Watches:

Casio G-Shock DW5600 - $70

Thought-about THE G-Shock by many lovers, the 5600 household shares loads of DNA with the unique G-Shock, the DW5000C.

 For lower than $50 normally, the 5600 has 200 meters of water resistance, unimaginable shock resistance, and a helpful set of features together with a stopwatch.

Casio A168WA-1 - $25

As one of many least costly actual watches you should buy, the astonishing Casio A168WA-1 options an alarm operate, a 1/one hundredth of a second chronograph, and a surprisingly sturdy construct, all for lower than $25 in most fashions.

Latest Hits from Casio:

Casio G-Shock Frogman GWF-A1000 - $800

For the primary time, Casio’s much-celebrated, ISO-rated G-Shock Frogman diver’s watch has been geared up with an analog-digital show that ought to assist bridge the hole for some lovers who don’t usually mess with digital.

Citizen

The Japanese watch {industry} is, in some ways, dominated by two forces: Citizen and Seiko. Earlier than Citizen was often known as Citizen, it was based in 1918 because the Shokosha Watch Analysis Institute. 

It took the title Citizen after it was acquired by a bunch of Japanese and Swiss traders. 

Within the Seventies, together with its rivals at Seiko, Citizen began the mass manufacturing of cheap but extremely correct quartz watches. In 1976, Citizen took quartz know-how additional with the creation of the world’s first solar-powered analog quartz watch.

 This ultimately led to the event of Citizen's Eco-Drive know-how, which now powers a lot of Citizen’s watches, and continues to make the model's watches highly effective worth propositions.

Quartz know-how continues to be one of many major pillars of the Citizen Watch Firm.

 In 2019, the corporate introduced the Eco-Drive Caliber 0100, which Citizen claims is probably the most correct watch ever made, with a quartz motion that's correct to an astonishing +/-1 second per 12 months.

 Citizen additionally produces actions for a lot of different manufacturers via its Miyota group. Actions just like the 8215 and 9016 areas are well-known and ubiquitous as Switzerland's automated stalwarts, the ETA-2824 and Sellita SW200, particularly amongst microbrand lovers. 

Lastly, Citizen's dad or mum group has additionally made some main acquisitions over the previous decade or in the order it expands in manufacturing and choices. 

In 2007 it acquired Bulova, and in 2012 it purchased Swiss high-complication motion specialist Manufacture La Joux-Perret and the Swiss high-horology model it owns, Arnold & Son.

Our Favourite Citizen Watches:

Citizen Promaster Aqualand BN2039-59E - $556

Considered one of Citizen’s most traditionally vital watches is the Aqualand, an analog-digital diver’s watch launched in 1985. 

The latest incarnation of that design idea is the BN2039-59E, an Eco-Drive-powered, analog diver’s watch with a built-in depth gauge.

Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T JY8108-53E and JY8075-51E - $716

In both shades, the Promaster Skyhawk is great proof of the care and tech that goes into Citizen’s watch designs.

 The exterior of a tool like a smartwatch, the Citizen Skyhawk A-T provides about as a lot of information as you may ask for in a solar-rechargeable bundle with an unnecessary-but-awesome 200 meters of water resistance.

The Latest Hit from Citizen:

Citizen Tremendous Titanium Armor - $520

With a reputation that sounds just like the title of an animé movie, Citizen’s Tremendous Titanium collection is constructed from a brand new titanium alloy that’s 5 occasions tougher than chrome steel and 40% lighter in addition.

As well as, the uber-modern design with a built-in titanium bracelet is putting, just a little bit loopy, and lots enjoyable.

Creator

Credit is likely one of the best-kept secrets and techniques of Japanese watchmaking. 

Most individuals have by no means heard of Credor, a lot much less know concerning the unimaginable watches that the model produces completely in-house.

 Technically, Credor is a part of Seiko, however, you received’ discover any Seiko branding on its watches. The model was conceived within the Seventies to characterize the top of Seiko’s know-how and craftsmanship. 

Immediately, a lot of Creditor's watches characteristic Seiko’s Spring Drive actions, however with technical enhancements and a better degree of hand end. 

To make sure they continue to be aggressive with the Swiss and Germans, Credor has even consulted with revered impartial watchmaker Philippe Dufour on ending strategies.

The watch that has come to characterize Credor is the Eichi. 

The primary Eichi watch was launched in 2008 and was later changed by the Eichi II in 2015. The Eichi II is a misleading watch. At first impression, it appears identical to an easy three-hander. 

The dial, nevertheless, is superbly executed in Japanese porcelain, and the entire markers are painted by hand. The hand craftsmanship doesn’t cease there:

 The Eichi case is polished by hand, the blued metal fingers are made by hand, and the Spring Drive motion inside is adorned by hand as properly. That is Japanese watchmaking at its finest, and a model very a lot deserving of a better profile.

Our Favourite Credor Watch:

Credor Eichi II - $54,000

For a lot of, the Credor Eichi II represents the top of excessive watchmaking prowess from the Seiko household of corporations, with a Spring Drive motion as lovely because 

of the hand-painted porcelain dial. This blue-dialed model can also be Credor’s hottest launch in recent times, unveiled in early 2020.

Grand Seiko

The primary Grand Seiko was launched in 1960 as Seiko’s assertion that it might produce watches that had been nearly as good as, if not higher than, any of the luxurious choices from Switzerland.

The model has undergone some huge modifications in recent times. Seemingly in an effort to affect buyer notion, in 2017 Seiko established Grand Seiko as its personal impartial model, with very separate management, design, and manufacturing scheme. 

One result of this transfer is that Grand Seiko watches launched after 2017 now solely have the Grand Seiko emblem at 12 o’clock; the Seiko emblem is nowhere to be discovered.

The trendy Grand Seiko is usually acknowledged for providing a large bang for the buck in the case of craftsmanship. 

The instances characteristic of the model’s signature Zaratsu polish, which is achieved by urgent the case towards a rotating tin plate.

 That is achieved by a talented hand and requires years of expertise to execute correctly. The dial work can also be extensively thought to be among the finest at any worth level, with splendidly textured surfaces and indices and fingers which are elegant and superbly completed. 

Grand Seiko’s most iconic and well-known piece is the SBGA011, affectionately recognized to lovers because the “Snowflake”, a watch that will get its title

 from its closely textured white dial, which is claimed to have been impressed by snowy fields across the Grand Seiko manufacture within the Suwa area. Most just lately, 

Grand Seiko launched a brand new high-beat caliber referred to as the 9SA5 that may energy a brand new technology of watches. This motion options a

completely new escapement, steadiness, and equipment practice, and additional demonstrates the unimaginable worth packed into Grand Seiko watches.

Our Favourite Grand Seiko Watches:

Grand Seiko SNA413 - $6,300

For those who’ve by no means had the chance to deal with a Grand Seiko, you’d have a tough time imagining how extremely properly completed Grand Seiko watches are,

 particularly given their cheaper price level in comparison with different luxurious manufacturers.

 The SBGA413 has an unimaginable dial with a really gentle pink shade and hand-executed texture mixed with GS’s spectacular Spring Drive caliber.

Grand Seiko SBGA229 - $6,000

For the sportier aspect of Grand Seiko, you may go fallacious with the maker's mainstay diver’s watch, the SBGA229. 

With a Spring Drive caliber, a hearty serving of Grand Seiko’s industry-leading LumiBrite luminescent materials, and an ISO 6425 score, the SBGA229 is a luxurious diver’s watch that rivals watch at twice the value.

A Latest Hit from Grand Seiko:

Grand Seiko SBGA427 - $5,000

Earlier this 12 months, we had the chance to spend a while with Grand Seiko’s SBGA427 and got 

here away impressed with the extremely legible, classically-styled bundle with an enjoyable pop of shade within the type of an inexperienced 

seconds hand and energy reserve indicator hand. For a GS that may be a little bit extra funky in comparison with a lot of the gathering, that is one to take a look at.

Hajime Asaoka

Thanks partially to Japan’s cultural appreciation for craftsmanship, the nation is house to a number of spectacular if lesser-recognized manufacturers, 

together with Hajime Asaoka, one of the vital distinguished Japanese impartial watchmakers. Like so many others in his commerce,

 Hajime Asaoka’s namesake founder is self-taught, having acquired a lot of his expertise and data by studying George Daniels’ seminal Watchmaking and watching YouTube movies, which in fact we totally help.

Asaoka’s declaration to fame is the time-only Tsunami watch, a classic-looking watch with a twist — it has a 16mm (which is large) titanium steadiness.

 Since then, the watchmaker has added new fashions to his assortment, together with two tourbillons and a chronograph, all of them fully handmade by Asaoka.

 Most just lately, Asaoka has launched a brand new assortment referred to as Kurono that provides markedly extra reasonably priced watches. 

These watches aren’t made by Asaoka himself and have third-party actions, however, he designs them and oversees manufacturing to make sure that the items meet his excessive requirements.

 In any case, regardless of the significantly cheaper price, these Kurono watches nonetheless bear his title on the case back, a reputation that's prone to be higher recognized amongst watch aficionados earlier than too lengthy.

Our Favourite Hajime Asaoka Watches:

Hajime Asaoka Tsunami - $27,000

Because of the model’s most iconic mannequin, the Tsunami has an

 "enterprise within the entrance, social gathering within the again"

 design due to the restrained, small-seconds sector dial and enchanting, handmade caliber seen from via the case back.

Hajime Asaoka “Chronograph” - $145,000

Constructed around a shocking open-worked caliber design, Asaoka’s aptly named

 “Chronograph” places the model’s unimaginable artisanal watchmaking entrance and heart by eschewing the dial altogether. 

Whereas not essentially probably the most legible chronograph on the market right now, Hajima Asaoka’s new “Chronograph” is actually mesmerizing to behold and as superbly completed as virtually something coming from Switzerland.

Orient

Orient is usually stated to be owned by Seiko, however, the precise nature of the connection is a bit more difficult than that.

 Orient is a subsidiary of Seiko Epson Company, whose major enterprise is printers and imaging-related tools. 

On the flip, Seiko Epson Company is likely one of the three major corporations composing the Seiko Group.

 Seiko Watch Company, the corporate that truly makes Seiko watches, is a part of Seiko Holdings Company, which, just like the Seiko Epson Company, is one of many three major corporations of the Seiko Group, together with Seiko Devices Inc.

 Complicated, to make certain, however, suffice to say, Seiko and Orient are operated as completely separate entities, albeit with some upper-echelon enterprise and monetary ties.

Although the historical past of the Orient will be traced additional again, the corporate as we all know it right now was established in 1950. 

A spotlight mannequin from its historical past is the Fineness, which was launched in 1967 and was, at its time, the thinnest self-winding watch with a day-date complication.

 Now, the model is a pacesetter in reasonably priced mechanical watches and is usually talked about in the identical breath as its compatriot Seiko. 

Orient’s hottest watch today is arguably the Bambino — a classically styled costume watch that has seen many iterations through the years. 

Orient can also be standard for its dive watches, particularly the just lately launched Kamasu, a success amongst many dive watch lovers and probably the greatest worth watches from Japan.

Our Favourite Orient Watches:

Orient Kamasu - $280

The Kamasu is just probably the greatest diver’s watch on the market and definitely probably the greatest within the worth vary of $300.

 With a hacking and hand-winding caliber, a strong bracelet for the cash, and a clear, distinctive dial design, the Kamasu is an aquatic "Seiko killer" at a reasonably priced worth.

Orient Maestro - $185

Whereas Orient has a behavior of nailing the worth for cash proposition, the Maestro is on one other degree altogether. 

With a high-end really feel that belies its retail worth, a strong automated motion, and one of many best-looking dials in its class, the Maestro is a costume watch from Orient that must be on each fanatic’s radar.

The Latest Hit from Orient:

Orient Neptune - $480

Whereas it isn’t model new (launched in 2018), the Orient Triton/Neptune is likely one of the watches that finest embodies what Orient is all about when you bounce up a bit from its most entry-level worth factors.

 For around $500, you get a JIS-rated (Japanese Industrial Commonplace) diver’s watch with a hacking, hand-winding, in-house caliber, nice lume,

 and a surprisingly strong bracelet, all with a signature Orient design impressed by the model’s legendary Saturation Diver mannequin.

Minase

Although Minase is a comparatively new participant within the {industry}, established in 2005, its dad or mum firm, Kyowa, and Co., has been within the manufacturing enterprise for much longer.

 Kyowa and Co., an organization related to precision machining and engineering, was based in 1963.

 Given its precision machining capabilities, one in all its specialties is watched instances and bracelets.

 Finally, the corporate determined to dip its toes within the water and make its personal full watches as properly, and Minase was born.

Provided that its specialty is instancing, it’s no shock to see that a lot of Minase’s fashions have uncommon and distinctive case designs which stand aside for his or her excessive ranges of ending.

 The model’s eye-catching 5 Home windows mannequin, for instance, is so named as a result of its case options 5 items of sapphire crystal in its development, to provide house owners a peek into its interior workings.

 The Divido is one other Minase watch that's worthy of consideration: a minimum of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was as soon as a noticed sporting one. 

The Divido is far more conventional-looking, however, its extremely angular case and the extremely detailed dial, as soon as once more, exhibit the extraordinary quantity of metalwork that goes right into a Minase watch.

Our Favourite Minase Watch:

Minase 5 Home windows - $17,500

With a case that includes 5 sapphire-filled architectural cutouts to permit for simple viewing of the gorgeous dial and motion surfaces, Minase is a pacesetter in high-end case development.

 The 5 Home windows are the model’s signature design and a watch you’ll instantly acknowledge — assuming you’re conscious of its existence, which you have to be.

Seiko

At this level, Seiko is synonymous with Japanese watchmaking. The corporate was based in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori and obtained its begin by promoting and repairing watches and clocks.

 Simply 11 years later, Hattori began producing clocks after which pocket watches, adopted carefully by the corporate’s, and Japan’s, first wristwatch in 1913. The Sixties was an interval of speedy development for the corporate.

 Not solely did Seiko introduce the primary Grand Seiko watch and likewise Japan’s first dive watch, however the agency additionally gained worldwide recognition by performing above expectations when in comparison with Swiss manufacturers on the Neuchâtel Observatory Competitors.

 And in 1969, not solely was Seiko one of many first to introduce a self-winding chronograph watch, it additionally launched the world’s first quartz watch, the Astron. As you realize, quartz watches ended up being just a little little bit of a factor.

Now, Seiko is acknowledged as one of many few really vertically built-in producers in watchmaking, producing all of the elements in its watches, together with the instances, dials, crystals, and all motion elements together with the mainspring and steadiness spring. For its quartz watches, Seiko even grows its personal quartz crystals.

 Due to its wonderful watch manufacturing functionality, it makes watches that span a variety of worth factors, with an emphasis on the entry- to mid-degree. 

Although it's arguably most well-known right now for its reasonably priced dive watches, one of many models’ greatest achievements is its Spring Drive motion, which we cowl intimately elsewhere. 

Spring Drive is a hybrid electro-mechanical motion that consists of a mechanical gear practice and a digital regulator. It's distinctive for its clean gliding seconds hand and its excellent accuracy of +1/-1 second per day.

 It's clearly one of the vital spectacular and attention-grabbing watch calibers in existence right now, and straight out of Japan.

Our Favourite Seiko Watches:

Seiko SARB037 - (Discontinued)

Positive, they’re discontinued now and had been solely ever accessible in Japan to start with, however, the SARB037 is well one of all my favorite Seiko watches due to its gorgeous salmon-colored dial.

 Add to that the much-lauded options which have made the SARB collection the {industry} icon that it's, and you've got an extremely particular but hard-to-find Seiko. For those who run throughout one, purchase it.

Seiko SPB143 - $1,200

After a lot of prodding from its gigantic web fanbase, Seiko has lastly produced a superb diver’s watch stuffed with classic Seiko DNA however in a smaller 40.5mm case that works very well on a wider variety of wrists.

 At around $1,000, the SPB collection is a no-brainer and a good way to get into Seiko’s higher-end choices.

Masahiro Kikuno

Regardless of being a one-man operation, grasp watchmaker Masahiro Kikuno crafts his timepieces virtually totally by hand.

 From design to manufacturing to meet, Masahiro Kikuno is one in all solely round 30 folks on this planet that has the talent set to provide his extremely completed, advanced, and thoughtfully designed watches. 

Kikuno’s tourbillon is safely housed in a 43mm 18k pink gold case.

Naoya Hida 

A veteran of the Japanese watch market, Naoya Hida was not solely key to F.P. Journe’s profitable launch in Japan however he additionally made a profession of building distribution channels within the nation for distinguished Swiss watch manufacturers.

 Simply this 12 months, Naoya Hida unveiled his first luxurious watch, the vintage-looking NH Kind 1B, underneath his eponymous model. 

Seiko

Based in 1881 first as a jewelry store than as a clockmaker in 1892, Seiko has had a protracted historical past of main Japan’s watchmaking tradition.

 The model boasts a protracted checklist of milestones similar to making the primary Japanese wristwatch, dive watch, and chronograph—to not point out the world’s first quartz watch, the Astron.

 With nicknames like “Tuna,” “Turtle,” “Sumo,” and “Samurai,” Seiko watches are favored by legions of watch lovers throughout the globe. 

Seiko Presage Enamel Computerized SPB045

Conclusion:

Whether or not for wallet-friendly choices or ultra-fine timepieces, it's clear that the Japanese watchmaking panorama has one thing for nearly any kind of watch purchaser.