Whether it’s your first watch or your tenth, Seiko is a strong choice. The brand from Japan has been a fan favorite for decades because they provide a lot of watch for the money. They have an arsenal of dive watches that are tough as nails, with longer-lasting lume than Rolex. Their dress watches offer an immense level of nuance and detail that’s sure to impress. And their chronographs—arguably the first automatic chronographs in the world—are powered by in-house movements.
If you like watches and have an internet connection, then you know that Seiko is consistently one of the most cited on lists for the “best value watches” or “best watches under 1,000 USD.” So, here’s another list for you. It’s a data-driven look at the top 5 best-selling automatic Seiko watches on Chrono24 under 500 EUR. Keep reading to see if your favorites made the list and to find a new favorite that you might’ve missed.
Seiko Prospex Alpinist SBDC091
The #1 best-selling watch on this list doesn’t really make sense. Cathedral hands, two crowns, and alternating hour markers are not a combination that you see very often, but it all works here. In fact, that idiosyncratic combination may be why this watch is so popular. The Alpinist is part of the Prospex family of watches, and this particular model is made for wilderness navigation. The second crown at 4 o’clock controls an internal rotating bezel, making it ideal for getting your bearings when needed. And should you need to cross a river during your trek, the 200m of water resistance will keep you protected.
Seiko Bruce Lee Limited 5 Sports Edition SRPK39K1
This is not your ordinary Seiko. This is a Seiko 5 watch that’s a little more… dangerous. Adorned in his signature colors of black and yellow, the Bruce Lee edition is everything you love about the Seiko 5 series but with key touches honoring the martial arts legend. The bezel is decorated with Chinese characters that translate to “Using no way as way; having no limitation as limitation,” embodying the spirit of Jeet Kune Do, Lee’s discipline of martial arts. The dial has a black-on-black motif fit for “The Dragon” himself. If you’re lucky, you’ll even be able to find a set with an extra yellow and black NATO strap.
Seiko Scuba SKX007K2
Here’s the watch we all expected to be on this list. The Seiko Scuba SKX series is what comes to mind for so many people when discussing Seiko divers. This watch is a lovable chunk with 200m of water resistance, slightly funky hands and hour markers, a crown at 4:30, and some of the strongest and longest-lasting lume in the industry. This is the model that started so many watch-collecting journeys, and it’s a classic for a reason. The watch is available on a black rubber strap or a jubilee-style five-link bracelet. And for some extra color, consider its cousin, the blue and red SKX009.
Seiko Presage SRPE45J1
The Presage SRPE45J1 is our first dress watch on the list and our second green dial. The Presage line offers a surprising level of detail and sophistication for its price point. Here, you have a barleycorn guilloché that shifts with the light, bringing out not only different patterns within the guilloché but also different shades of green. The gold punctuates the dial with nicely beveled hands, hour markers, and even a beveled date window frame. Look at the seconds hand, and you’ll see a well-considered counterweight detail. Turn the watch over, and you’ll have a view of the in-house caliber beating away. All these ingredients add up to quite the package for under 500 €.
Seiko Prospex Turtle Watch Men’s SRPE93K1
The final watch in this top 5 list is another familiar favorite for Seiko diver fans. The “Turtle” earned its nickname for its curiously cushion-shaped case that mimics the silhouette of the beloved reptile, and with 200m WR, the watch is as comfortable in water as it is on dry land. The Turtle shares some of the same design DNA as the Scuba further up the list, but this watch has a larger 45mm case and more angular hour markers at 6, 9, and 12. It’s tough, it’s robust on the wrist, it does exactly what it’s designed to do, and it won’t break the bank either. That’s Seiko’s (not-so-secret) recipe for success and why they’ve been so loved for so long.
