Seiko’s Finest: The Top Watch Releases Of 2023
Seiko continues to be one of the favorite brands among our audience, it is no coincidence that among the ten most read articles on our website, more than half are occupied by the prestigious Japanese watch brand, and the same happens with posts on social media reaping the highest number of ‘likes’.
And that’s why today we decided to write an article dedicated to five Seiko launches in 2023 that generated the most traffic on our website and Instagram account.
Two not very obvious curiosities, firstly, contrary to what many might think, they are not the diving watches at the front of this list, at the top we have two chronographs and one of them with a ‘Quartz’ movement (the ‘devil’ for many but which seems increasingly domesticated), next comes a field watch with second time zone, fourth (finally) a diving watch and lastly another field watch with a GMT complication. The second curiosity concerns the fact that all of these launches took place in the last quarter of the year and four of them in the last couple of months.
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SRQ047 and SRQ049
But let’s get to the point, which is the watches, by far the one that generated the most interest were the two new Speedtimer Chronographs with a Panda dial (SRQ047) and a reverse Panda dial (SRQ049). Inserted in the Prospex collection, these two new chronographs are inspired by models from the 70s, presented in a stainless steel case 42mm wide by 14.60 high, with 100m of water resistance, a dial with three counters at 3-6-9 o’clock, a date window at 4:30, a tachymeter inner ring and three central hands. Inside it is powered by the Caliber 8R48 automatic movement that offers up to 45 hours of power reserve. The two chronographs come attached to a steel bracelet with the reverse Panda version (black dial and silver counters) being a limited edition that includes an extra leather strap.
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar-Powered SSC937
The other launch that also generated great curiosity was another Speedtimer Chronograph, the new SSC937, a chronograph with a beautiful light blue Panda dial and a steel tachymeter bezel, in a limited edition exclusive to Europe. The chronograph, also in stainless steel, comes with more moderate dimensions: 39mm in diameter and 13.30mm thick, the same configuration on the dial with three registers, a date window, applied hour markers and three central hands. Inside it is solar-powered that comes with a power reserve of 6 months even when deprived of light. The watch comes attached to a steel bracelet that can be alternated with the extra leather strap that is part of the set.
Seiko 5 Sports SSK023 and SSK025
One of the good surprises that December brought were the two new Seikos SSK023 and SSK025, which are part of the 5 Sports collection. These field watches are one of Seiko’s most accomplished models, with a beautiful design, moderate dimensions and entry level prices. Seiko now add a GMT complication to the watch, without this implying changing the design or significantly increasing the dimensions of the case, apart from the inclusion of an extra central GMT hand, the only change is the banning of the day of the week window, which in our opinion works much better. Inside runs Caliber 4R34 with 41 hours of power reserve. The SSK023 comes attached with a steel bracelet while the SSK025 version that wears black PVD coated comes with a black leather strap.
Seiko Prospex Marinemaster 1965 Diver’s Modern Re-Interpretation SJE097, SJE099 and SJE101
The only diving watch to enter this podium is the new Marinemaster, the iconic robust diving watch from the late 90s with 300m water resistance now returns, included in the Prospex collection in the form of three new references, the limited edition SJE097 with white dial, the SJE099 with a light blue dial and the SJE101 with a black dial. The new Marinemaster arrives much smaller with steel cases measuring 39.50mm by 12.30mm and with a lower water resistance now at 200m. On the dial a stripe pattern with applied hour markers, a date window and three center hands. At its heart operates the 6L37 automatic movement with 45 hours of power reserve. The watches are attached to a steel bracelet with a diving extension.
Seiko Prospex Land Series GMT ‘Navigator Time’ SPB411
The latest to enter this race is another field watch that also comes with a second time zone, we are talking about the new Seiko SPB411 inspired by the ‘Navigator Timer’ from the 60s, a watch built for mountaineers. Like the original, the watch comes with a cushion-shaped case measuring 38.50mm in diameter, a crown at 4 o’clock and a 24-hour rotating bezel that works in conjunction with the extra GMT hand. On the sunburst grey dial, we can also find applied hour markers, a date window and three central hands. Powered by Caliber 6R54, it offers 3 days of power reserve. The watch arrives in limited edition attached to a 5-link steel bracelet.
We leave the links to each of the watches mentioned above if you want to know more about each of them.
