Teddy Baldassarre
King Seiko VANAC: The Integrated-Bracelet Luxury Watch from Japan
With its retro design and integrated bracelet style, the King Seiko VANAC is unlike anything else in Seiko's catalog.
Results for Seiko Astron
3,189 articles · 23 videos found · page 4 of 108
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Wiki · Guide
Quartz Crisis
1969-1985 industry collapse triggered by the Seiko Astron. Cost Swiss watchmaking two-thirds of its workforce; rebounded via Swatch Group consolidation and Biver's Blancpain.
Wiki · Guide
The Quartz Astron Launch Seiko
Christmas Day 1969: Seiko launches the world\'s first quartz wristwatch and detonates the Swiss watch industry.
Teddy Baldassarre
Teddy Baldassarre Videos
The New Standard for Japanese Luxury Dive Watches - Grand Seiko Ushio 300
If you have ever spent a brief amount of time looking at watches online, you will have come across Grand Seiko. The brand has rightfully developed one of the most passionate followings of any name in the industry through their unbelievable demonstration of the craft in every detail. Despite this, if you were ever in th
Time+Tide
Seiko releases two new Prospex divers featuring Seiko Blue celebrating its 145th anniversary
Highlighting its signature colour, "Seiko Blue", both divers feature blue bezels and seconds hands against a silver-white dial.
Teddy Baldassarre Videos
The Most Complete Seiko Diver Under $1,000
Among the pantheon of dive watch heritage is the Japanese brand Seiko. Sure they were a little later to the game than some of their Swiss peers; however, with a legendary lineup that includes the 62MAS, Willard, Turtle, and the SKX, they are as deserving as any name in the industry to get a seat at the table of diving
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Seiko Adds Two Anniversary Automatic Dive Watches to the Prospex Lineup
Seiko adds two limited edition Prospex dive watches to its 145th anniversary lineup: the heritage-inspired HBC005 and the Samurai-based HBB001.
Video
6 NEW Watch Models Just Released This Week - June 2026
Welcome to the watch releases update for the first week of June 2026. We have some great new watches from Tudor, Seiko, TAG Heuer and more. Enjoy the video:)
Time+Tide
Seiko draws upon Japanese craftsmanship and its signature blue for new 145th anniversary Presage models
Two new refined limited editions from Seiko celebrate a big anniversary with the brand's signature shade of blue.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Seiko Samurai vs. Seiko Turtle: Hands-On Affordable Dive Watch Comparison
We reviewed both the Seiko Samurai and Seiko Turtle to compare comfort, design, value, and long-term appeal between these two affordable dive watches.
Worn & Wound
Seiko Introduces a Pair of Limited Editions in the Presage Collection to Celebrate a Big Anniversary
The slow drip of Seiko limited editions to celebrate the brand’s 145th anniversary continues with a pair of releases in their Presage collection. The Presage line has long been one of my favorites in the Seiko catalog, and I’ve always felt these watches were a bit slept on compared to sportier watches in the Prospex line. The Presage collection is not just more “dress watch” oriented, but the watches under this banner frequently build on traditional Japanese craft techniques and offer a ton of value. It feels like we’re in a moment where these watches might be prime for a greater appreciation, as enthusiasts are more comfortable than they’ve ever been with smaller cases, exotic dials, and less sport oriented watches in general. Of the two watches in the Presage line announced recently, the one that sticks in my mind the most is the new HCC007, with an Arita porcelain dial in cobalt blue. We’ve seen a number of Presage releases with porcelain dials over the years, often drawing on the traditional porcelain crafted in Arita for inspiration. This is a great example of the way Seiko incorporates very traditional Japanese craftsmanship into watches that are relatively affordable and don’t skimp at all on aesthetics. The HCC007’s porcelain dial features a blue glaze in the same color as traditional Arita porcelain, and is the first time this color has been seen in the Presage collection. The dial is constructed with a radiating, sunken center section and an...
Fratello
Getting A Feel For The King Seiko Vanac HKF004 145th-Anniversary Limited Edition
Seiko continues its 145th-anniversary celebrations with a special version of the King Seiko Vanac. Since the Vanac’s reintroduction in 2025, the series has grown quickly. At this point, you can choose from nine steel and titanium models that sport a stylish ’70s look. With the new Vanac HKF004, Seiko has created a version that immediately […] Visit Getting A Feel For The King Seiko Vanac HKF004 145th-Anniversary Limited Edition to read the full article.
Monochrome
First Look – The King Seiko Vanac Limited Edition HKF004 in Seiko Blue Dial
King Seiko, the other higher-end arm of the Group, has had an interesting comeback run since Seiko revived the collection in 2020, bringing back one of its classic higher-end names from the 1960s. This family also introduced the Vanac sub-collection during the 1970s. These were some cool watches that were more colourful, faceted, and much-liked […]
Video
7 Cheap Watches That Fool Everyone... Even The Rich
Affordable watches under $150 are getting harder to trust. Seiko prices are up, Timex prices are up, and even Casio has models pushing into territory that used to feel impossible — but there are still real value wat...
SJX Watches
Seiko Marks 145 Years with Arita Porcelain Presage
As Seiko’s 145th anniversary celebrations unfold, the brand expands its value-oriented Presage Classic “Craftsmanship” collection with two new commemorative limited editions. The HCC007 features a gradient blue Arita porcelain dial in an appealing 39.6 mm size, while the 36 mm HCC004 answers the call for smaller dress watch options. Initial thoughts Seiko has been making incremental improvements to its Presage line of entry-level dress watches since the collection debuted in 2010. Almost since the beginning, Seiko has used the Presage as a vehicle to experiment with ways to make traditional craftsmanship accessible, starting with fired enamel dials in 2012 and Arita porcelain dials in 2019. Since then, the Presage has benefited from a movement upgrade, and now boasts a weekend-proof three-day power reserve. The 145th anniversary editions prove that Seiko hasn’t run out of ideas, and the HCC007 in particular brings an additional layer of artisanal individuality to the execution that is rarely seen at this price range — its gradient blue dial has echoes of the Credor Eichi II in ruri blue. The charming and compact 36 mm HCC004 offers a little something for everyone. Powered by the same cal. 6R51 as its porcelain-dialled sibling, it features an embossed dial with a silk-like texture — the latest in a long line of Seiko watches with fabric-patterned dials. Both models appear aimed at the enthusiast market, as neither features a date window. This gives each watch a ...
Fratello
The Neo-Vintage Sweet Spot: Why The Seiko Marinemaster SBDX001 Still Makes Sense Today
There is a particular charm to watches that sit just beyond modernity yet remain too young to be vintage. In recent years, collectors have coined the term “neo-vintage” to define this liminal space, roughly spanning the mid-1990s through the 2000s. It’s a period defined not by nostalgia alone but also by a fascinating intersection of […] Visit The Neo-Vintage Sweet Spot: Why The Seiko Marinemaster SBDX001 Still Makes Sense Today to read the full article.
Fratello
Sunday Morning Showdown: Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Spring Drive U.F.A. Ushio 300 Vs. Rolex Yacht-Master 42 In Titanium
Grand Seiko surprised friend and foe at Watches and Wonders when the brand released a smaller, more accurate dive watch at a lower price than its predecessor. The Ushio 300 diver, naturally, was met with applause. So, for this week’s showdown, we thought we’d stack it up against a watch so popular that it is […] Visit Sunday Morning Showdown: Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Spring Drive U.F.A. Ushio 300 Vs. Rolex Yacht-Master 42 In Titanium to read the full article.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
The 5 Best Seiko Releases of 2026 So Far
Our picks for the 5 best Seiko watches released in the first half of 2026, from solar chronographs to titanium King Seikos, and more.
Teddy Baldassarre
The Seiko HBC005 and HBB001: Two Anniversary Divers In ‘Seiko Blue’
Celebrating its 145th birthday, Seiko launches the Prospex HBC005 and HBB001 limited edition divers.
Video
7 NEW Watch Releases This Week (May 2026)
Welcome to the watch releases update for the second week of May 2026. We have some great watch models to cover such as the new Audemars Piguet x Swatch ‘Royal Pop’. As well as new releases from Seiko, Orient Star,...
Monochrome
First Look – The New Seiko Presage 145th Anniversary Limited Editions HCC007 and HCC004
Over the past decade, the Presage collection has become the most expressive showcase for Seiko’s artisanal side. Beyond the sporty world of Prospex, Presage has steadily explored traditional Japanese crafts, integrating enamel, Urushi lacquer, Shippo enamel and Arita porcelain into accessible mechanical watches. In 2026, Seiko celebrates its 145th anniversary, and following the four-piece anniversary […]
Monochrome
First Look – The Seiko Prospex HBC005 and HBB001, a Duo of Divers in Seiko Blue and Silver
We know that Seiko loves to celebrate anniversaries, which often results in fairly attractive limited edition models. This year, the brand is celebrating the 145th anniversary of its creation. In 1881, Kintaro Hattori opened a shop known as “K. Hattori” in Tokyo’s Ginza district, beginning what would evolve into today’s Seiko. He then went on […]
Fratello
Seiko Celebrates Its 145th Anniversary With The Prospex HBC005 And HBB001 Limited Editions
To celebrate Seiko’s 145th anniversary, the Japanese brand has created a series of watches featuring a nice combination of blue and white. The series pays tribute to Seiko Blue, resulting in some surprisingly fresh creations. The new Seiko Prospex HBC005 and HBB001 limited editions proudly sport a crisp white dial with a vibrant blue bezel. […] Visit Seiko Celebrates Its 145th Anniversary With The Prospex HBC005 And HBB001 Limited Editions to read the full article.
Fratello
Hands-On With The New Seiko Presage Classic Series HCC004 And HCC007
Seiko is celebrating its 145th anniversary this year, and that results in new watches paying tribute to this respectable age. Among them are these two new Presage Classic Series watches, both limited editions, available in 36mm and 39.6mm sizes. Let’s have a closer look at the HCC004 and HCC007, shall we? Seiko Presage Classic Series […] Visit Hands-On With The New Seiko Presage Classic Series HCC004 And HCC007 to read the full article.
Hodinkee
The Business of Watches Podcast: Seiko Watch Corporation President Akio Naito
This week on The Business of Watches, we sit down with Akio Naito, the President of Seiko Watch Corporation. Seiko's Credor brand, the ultra-premium offering showcasing artisanal creations, unique craftsmanship, and design, made its Watches and Wonders debut this year. We discuss Credor's positioning within the Seiko Group and its expansion into international markets. Photo credit: Mark Kauzlarich The biggest challenge for Credor, Naito says, will be increasing production for more markets, as the skills required to produce the timepieces are highly specialized and take years to master. We also get an update on Grand Seiko. Naito says the brand has increased its international sales by more than 15x over the past decade, driven largely by success in the U.S. market. Grand Seiko is continuing to update and improve its offerings, including a new ultra-accurate and ultra-luxurious dive watch in a more compact size that clients have been asking for. We also hear about the growing interest and awareness of Grand Seiko's class-leading 9F quartz movement technology, which is increasingly popular with some clients. But first, Hodinkee Senior Editor Mark Kauzlarich drops in for a fresh analysis on some of the record watch auction results from the spring sessions in Geneva. Pocket watches were hot, Journe was surging, and Patek showed continued strength with a record result for a rare Patek 2523. So what isn't hot right now? Tune in to find out. There's plenty of watch business and...
Video
Switzerland Banned Japan From This Competition. Here's What Happened Next.
In 1964, Seiko entered Switzerland's most prestigious watchmaking competition and finished 144th. They came back every year. By 1967, they were 4th — second only to Omega in manufacturer rankings. In 1968, at the Ge...
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Best Seiko SARB033 Alternatives for Fans of the Discontinued Classic
Explore the best Seiko SARB033 alternatives we’ve reviewed hands-on, from affordable Seikos to Swiss, microbrand, handmade, and luxury everyday watches.
Worn & Wound
Seiko Adds New Seiko 5 References with Compass Bezels
Every watch enthusiast has gotten the question from a newly watch-curious friend: “what should be my first real watch?” Of course, designating any watch as “real” over another is a bit silly, but the sentiment remains. For newbies to the horological hobby, there are few “first” watches better than any model from the ever-expanding and always-iconic Seiko 5 lineup. From skin divers to field watches and way beyond (especially if you look at vintage…), there’s a Seiko 5 for everyone, and not just new fans, either. Most serious enthusiasts can attest to having a 5 in their collection, or at least having owned one (or many) in the past. So, when Seiko comes out with a new 5 entry, it’s hard not to be excited, and four new Seiko 5 Field models have arrived to continue that tradition. The HDB006, HDB007, HDB008, and HDB009 bring a lot of the hallmarks of Seiko 5 field watches, including wearable dimensions at 41mm in diameter and 13.2mm in thickness, strong LumiBrite coating on the hands, indices, and bezel markings, and trademark Seiko robustness and reliability thanks to the 4R36 caliber automatic movement, which provides 41 hours of power reserve, a stop second hand function, and a day/date complication. While none of these features are particularly remarkable or innovative, they prove the everlasting utility of a field watch as an everyday timepiece. The new HDB00- models do have an extra party trick up their sleeves in the form of a simple compass on the ...
SJX Watches
First Look: Seiko 5 Sports Field Series
Seiko is reinforcing its entry level collection with the 5 Sports Field Series, a range of new models with compass bezels available in a range of dial colours from instrument-like white to brown, which seems to be a popular colour at the moment. While substantively similar to existing Seiko 5 Sports models and equally well priced, the Field Series watches feature serrated compass bezels with a glittering hobnail motif that is both functional — for enhanced grip — and attractive. Left to right: HDB009, HDB008, HDB006, and HDB007. Image – Seiko Initial thoughts The Seiko 5 Sports collection is perhaps the ultimate gateway to watch collecting. It’s the rare entry level watch that could be someone’s last watch as easily as their first. Not everyone is a collector, and some people just want a watch that does what is asked without asking for much in return. The Seiko 5 Sports fits the bill, while opening the door to the larger world of mechanical watches. The Seiko 5 is tangibly appealing in several respects, being one of the most affordable mechanical watches from a fully integrated manufacture. With Seiko, there’s no wondering who made what — the brand even formulates its own luminous compound for the hands, hour markers, and bezel pip instead of relying on the same suppliers as everyone else. Seiko also understands the aesthetic history of the wristwatch because the brand helped write it. This explains some of the subtle details like the tiny serifs on the hour ...
Monochrome
Introducing – The new Seiko 5 Sports Field Series with Compass Bezel
Relaunched in 2019, the Seiko 5 Sport range has grown significantly over the years, to the point where it could become a brand in its own right. Based on a concept of affordability and durability dating back to the 1960s, it started with the inaugural SKX-inspired, dive-oriented models and has expanded to include dozens of […]
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Seiko’s New ‘Silver Bullet’ GMT Is An Affordable Watch With Grand Seiko Looks
The new Seiko Presage 'Silver Bullet' Cocktail Time GMT lands at $625, bringing an affordable automatic GMT to Seiko's mechanical lineup.
Video
6 NEW Watch Releases That Just Dropped This Week - May 2026
Welcome to the watch releases update for the first week of May 2026. We have some great watches from Seiko, Tudor, Longines, Bulova, Baltic and more. Enjoy the video:)