Seiko Corporation of America distributes Seiko watches and clocks, as well as Pulsar and Lorus brand watches, in the United States. The models available in the United States are typically a smaller subset of the full line produced in Japan. Seiko Corporation of America is headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey, alongside the Coserv repair center. In the United States, Seiko watches are sold primarily by fine jewelers, department stores, and 19 Seiko company stores. 3–4 years is the recommended timeline for a service interval; within this timeline, a Grand Seiko watch should be taken to an authorized Grand Seiko retailer or service center. As an authorized retailer of Grand Seiko timepieces, Exquisite Timepieces is fully resourced to take care of your Grand Seiko watch service and repair when and if it is necessary.
You’ll generally find models with date complications and a few with power reserve indicators on the dial. There’s also the classic chronograph complication (primarily spotted in the Sport seiko automatic watches Collection), as well as the GMT complication, which is ideal for those who want to track multiple time zones. The Grand Seiko lineup is divided into five collections that embrace the high standards and philosophy of the brand, using a variety of materials, finishes, complications, and calibers. Inspired by its Japanese artisanal culture of watchmaking and nature in the form of the landscape that surrounds its two studios that divide the creation, innovation, and production of its timepieces. Seiko Prospex is the brand’s sports watch collection, while Seiko Presage is their dress watch collection. However, Seiko is most commonly known for their limited edition timepieces that are highly-sought-after in the watch collecting community.
Eventually, Daini Seikosha Co, Ltd changed its company name to Seiko Instruments Inc and Suwa Seikosha Co to Seiko Epson Corporation. The Heritage Collection, where timeless designs and traditional craftsmanship come together, pays homage to the rich history of Grand Seiko, featuring designs inspired seiko quartz by iconic vintage models. Each timepiece is methodically crafted with incredible attention to detail. Grand Seiko, whose first watches emerged in the early 1960s, was once part of the much older Seiko company before becoming a fully independent brand in 2017. It’s renowned for its unique artistry and attention to detail, from its intricate movements to its flawless finishing and clean-edged geometric case designs. The Seiko Presage Craftsmanship Series highlights traditional skills of Japan by showcasing Japanese beauty in mechanical wristwatches.
In 1991, Seiko had the honor of serving as the Official Timer of the 3rd IAAF World Championships in Tokyo. One year later, Seiko was selected as the Official Timer of the Games of the 25th Olympiad in Barcelona, Spain. In 1999 the brand introduced the Spring Drive movement, which offered luxury mechanical function and quartz accuracy. This was revolutionary in the horological world because this timepiece replaced the traditional escapement with a spring regulator, producing a smooth glide motion and has a precision of one second per day. Grand Seiko’s mechanical movements have always been considered to be at the forefront in the watch industry ever since its first Grand Seiko in 1960, which was Chronometer grade. Its current range of 10 9S mechanical movements offers 28,000 vph (vibrations per hour) to high-beat 36,000 vph, 50 to 80 hours of power reserve in automatic or manual wind.
If you’ve travelled down the path of becoming a fully dyed in the wool watch enthusiast, chances are that your journey started with a Seiko. And this isn’t just a case of me projecting as I usually do – the brand has captured the market in a way no other was able to, and despite recent price hikes, still manages to offer compelling watches across a widely spanning price spectrum. Just like any other year, 2024 was a busy one for Seiko, with no shortage of all-new models, refreshed colourways, nor region-specific limited editions – with quite a few of those coming our way. With that being the case, and being limited to picking just a top five, I did want to shout out a particularly good vintage tribute in the shape of the Seiko 5 SRPL03 and SRPL05, both faithful nods to Seiko 5s from the 1960s and 1970s.
Since then, many models have been introduced into the lineup, comprising a variety of different styles. Hattori’s shop became increasingly popular due to the rarity of the imported watches the shop was selling, which couldn’t be found anywhere else in Japan. The growing success allowed him to relocate the company to the main street of Ginza (Tokyo), still the epicenter of commerce in Japan to this day. Appropriate care and attention are required, and it is important to understand the characteristics of your Grand Seiko watch and its recommended capabilities. A Grand Seiko may be splash-resistant, 100m water-resistant, or even 200m water-resistant; therefore, you must not expose your watch to water when its crown is in the extended position or not screwed in. Its passion for sharing its learnings in horology has made it a sponsor of the Horological Society of New York, one of the most significant and oldest operating horological associations in the world.