Seiko | WWR

Buyer’s Guide: 15 Best Pilot’s Watches to Choose From

Feb 09, 2018 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 6231 views

Looking at our stats, I see that demand for recommendations regarding diving watches is a seasonal thing with most visitors coming in summer and then gradually declining till Christmas only to start growing again in early January. "Pilots" are different animals: I have an impression that people are always interested in "aviators" regardless of the time of season. So, for your reading pleasure, a choice of fifteen timekeepers from under $200 to more than $10,000 as priced by online retailers that I find worthy of being considered while shopping for your new (or maybe your very first!) pilot's watch this year.

Seiko Prospex Diver Scuba Giugiaro Design Limited Edition (refs. SBEE001 & SBEE002)

Jul 07, 2017 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 6796 views

Already released as the Japanese Domestic Market (ah, that legendary 'JDM' abbreviation that's been rice-rocket freaks' and watch aficionados' darling for so many decades!) models, the new Seiko Prospex Diver Scuba Giugiaro Design Limited Edition (available as refs. SBEE001 & SBEE002) is an almost perfect re-issue of the model from the 1980s that had a great potential, but for some reason failed to become an icon of industrial design. Well, I can only welcome the Japanese brand's decision to give the collection a second chance, even as only a limited edition model.

Japanese / Quartz

Seiko PROSPEX Radio Sync Solar World Time Chronograph (refs. SSG001/SSG003/SSG005)

Apr 16, 2016 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 14756 views

Featuring design cues similar to other "aviators" released by the Japanese brand during the last five or six years (those including not only relatively expensive members of their higher-range Prospex family like this ref. SSC279, but also a lot more affordable ones like their older SND253P1,) the Seiko PROSPEX Radio Sync Solar World Time Chronograph is available in three different finishes. The new chronograph was probably introduced to cover the niche of XXL-sized timekeepers designed with the price-conscious public in mind. While a lot of prospective customers will only wince looking at this 48 mm monster, I am sure that the model will be quite successful in the long run. I mean, look at this watch! This watch is amazing!

Japanese

Seiko Recraft Automatic (Ref. SNKM97)

Dec 16, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 17960 views

Seiko has recently presented the new Recraft line of affordable dress watches. The collection comes in different color variations and features stainless steel and gold-toned versions. The main selling point? The finely crafted, mildly oversized cases, of course! Also, the in-house Caliber 7S26 self-winding movement. It is the same inexpensive, bullet-proof mechanism that also animated their Seiko SKX781 Orange Monster diver.

Japanese / Quartz

Seiko Prospex Solar Pilot Quartz Chronograph (Ref. SSC279)

Sep 20, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 10528 views

Although not as technologically advanced as the stunning Astron GPS Stratosphere, the 2014 Seiko Prospex Solar Quartz Chronograph (Ref. SSC279) is also about five times less expensive. Offered at MSRP of just $450 (and you can find one on eBay at less than USD $350), it looks cool for a daily beater, and its built-in solar charger makes the gadget a must-have for a person that spends more time outdoors than inside an air-conditioned office. Just don't forget to swap the brown leather strap for something more practical, like a solid steel bracelet or a hypoallergenic silicon band.

Japanese

Seiko Astron GPS Stratosphere (Ref. SAS033)

Feb 17, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 9963 views

The Japanese electronics conglomerate Seiko has officially presented its new Seiko Astron Stratosphere GPS-enabled watch. Although currently there is nothing more than a presentation page on their corporate site, it is already clear that the new version looks a lot more impressive than the high-tech Astron GPS Solar World Timer in black titanium (Ref. SAST001/007) that the Japanese brand started selling in October 2012. Just look at this huge, domed sapphire crystal that covers not only the dial itself, but also the bezel with its luminous UTC city codes. Isn't it amazing?

Japanese / Quartz

Seiko Prospex Solar Diver (Ref. SBDJ007)

Aug 13, 2013 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 9840 views

In a matter of days, the Japanese brand will start selling its updated Seiko Prospex Solar Diver (Ref. SBDJ007). Being equipped with Seiko's own solar-powered Caliber V157 movement that harnesses solar energy in order to constantly recharge its onboard battery, the new timekeeper will run out of juice long after your kids get tired with it and sell it on Craigslist.

Japanese / Quartz

Seiko 30th Anniversary Speedmaster Chronograph JDM (Ref. SCED003) by Giorgetto Giugiaro

Jul 29, 2013 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 3848 views

This one is good news for numerous fans of the Alien franchise that are also into the watch-collecting business. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of their partnership with the Italian industrial designer Giorgetto Giugiaro (this gentleman of many virtues is also responsible for such works of art as the iconic DeLorean DMC-12, BMW Nazca C2, and 1972 Maserati Merak), the watchmaking branch of the Japanese brand Seiko has introduced a limited edition Seiko 30th Anniversary Speedmaster Chronograph JDM (Ref. SCED003) that looks almost like a re-issue of the famous "Bishop watch" from 1986 Aliens blockbuster.

Japanese / Quartz

Grand Seiko Caliber 9F 20th Anniversary Limited Edition (Ref. SBGX103)

Feb 28, 2013 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 6140 views

The famous Grand Seiko line of expensive timekeepers has recently been updated with a limited edition model. Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their signature Seiko Caliber 9F, the ultra-precise quartz movement that was first brought to market back in 1993, the Japanese watchmaker introduces their new Grand Seiko Caliber 9F 20th Anniversary Limited Edition (Ref. SBGX103).

Japanese

2013 Seiko SARZ033 Automatic Series

Jan 14, 2013 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 5309 views

Although I always had an impression that the SARZ series of sporty automatic watches were sold only on the Japanese domestic market, it looks like this mildly refreshed MY 2013 Seiko SARZ033 collection will actually make it across the Pond and will probably make landfall not only in the North America, but, hopefully, here in Europe, too.