Japan is ever a country of contradictions. On one hand, while it’s one of the most respected watchmaking nations alongside Switzerland and Germany, that status is largely due to just a trio of extremely prolific companies: Seiko, Citizen and Casio. And despite that status and a generally strong appreciation for watches, you don’t find quite the vibrant watchmaking scene of startups that you see in countries like France, Britain and the United States โ but there are some lesser-known Japanese gems.
There are really just a few Japanese watch brands you need to know about, but they’re definitely worth understanding. They include those big companies as well as examples of up-and-coming independents, and together they exemplify the traits Japan is known for.
This is a country that’s famous for its craftsmanship, quality, sometimes quirky design, expensive tastes and fastidious attention to detail. This is why made-in-Japan products from jeans to sunglasses and many others are widely known around the world as some of the best in their respective fields. What qualities could be more suited to watchmaking? And you’ll indeed find these characteristics, to varying degrees, in products from Japanese watch brands.
Ranging from industrial-scale watchmaking powerhouses to the interesting indy brands that are increasingly popping up in their shadows, the following companies paint a picture of modern Japanese watchmaking.
Seiko
Founded in 1881, Seiko is a historic watchmaker and the most important in Japan. Though once known primarily for affordable, mass-produced watches, Seiko today enjoys international respect and renown. This is a massive company that through its range of brands and sub-brands competes in every style and price point found across the watch industry itself. It’s known to develop and produce all of its own technology and products, from materials and mechanical movements to solar-charging and GPS tech. Under the Seiko umbrella, Grand Seiko and Credor are often marketed as independent brands, whereas sub-brands like Prospex, Presage, Astron, King Seiko and Seiko 5 Sports each have individual identities. Seiko is a vast universe worth exploring no matter what kind of watch buyer you might be.