Here are 15 of the Best Seiko Automatic Watches (from $100-$1000)

Ask any collector to name their top watch brands that make affordable automatics, and you’ll get Seiko as a response 9 out of 10 times. Today, we’re rounding up the 15 best Seiko automatic watches, at a range of price points!

One of the qualities that make Seiko so trusted and beloved is that you get what you pay for with them, at every level. 

Efficiently, they’ll still use older, paid-off parts and tooling to build certain watch models, which is how they’re able to sell some darn good automatics for so cheap. On the premium side of the price spectrum, their automatics are either high-performance or rare, and hardly ever overpriced.

 

Just Show Me The Watches!

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Check out these watches before we dig in further!

The Best Seiko Automatic Watches Between $100–$1000

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Seiko is a good, democratic brand to go to when looking for an automatic watch. So let’s get to it! Here are our choices, in the categories of sport and field, dress watches, and casual!

Sport and Field Watches

Seiko Alpinist Limited Model SBDC093

We love the iconic green dial Alpinist, however, this limited edition’s porcelain dial behind its ornamental appliques offers less contrast, and a more understated harmony.

Meanwhile, its sophisticated forest green leather strap serves as a nod to the original’s trademark emerald face. It runs on Seiko’s high-performance 6R35 automatic caliber, which boasts 70 hours of power! 

Seiko Prospex Compass SRPD31K1

This Seiko Prospex is unique in that it’s an undeniable visual marriage between a compass and a watch — the cardinal directions are as distinct as each 3-hour marker.

This gives it the same adventurous aesthetic (and same 200m of water resistance!) as its solar-powered Seiko Land cousins, but with the added horological bonus of running on Seiko’s 4R36.

This automatic movement features 24 jewels and hacking, and you can admire it through the transparent caseback.

Seiko PROSPEX Shogun SBDC029

One of Seiko’s most popular dives in the $1000 range, this Shogun SBDC029 boasts classic looks and tons of functionality.

The case and strap are titanium, so they’re almost half as light as regular steel. Even better? The lumed markers are still brilliantly contrasted even during the day.

It also has 200m of water resistance, a GMT hand, and runs on the 23-jewel 6R15 automatic Seiko movement.  

Seiko 5 Sport Specialist SRPE80

This sport watch is souped up with exquisite textures and material, making it truly one of a kind. The patinated and embossed gold bezel makes it look like an important artifact.

Meanwhile, the meticulously textured dial gives the watch a more detailed, hand-crafted look.

Add the leather-adorned silicon watch strap and the hackable 4R36 automatic movement, and you’ve got a head-turner of a watch.

Seiko 5 Bottle Cap SRPC61K1

We’ve recommended the playful rootbeer version, but this SRPC61K1 Bottle Cap Seiko balances out the unique and bold silhouette with a more traditional colorway.

While the case-bracelet size contrast gives it a peculiarly distinct look, this watch still has everything you need in a diver: unidirectional bezel, excellent lume, a scratch-resistant crystal, and the in-house 4R36 movement.

Seiko 5 Sports SRPC51J1

With a more forward and striking design language, the SRPC51J1 is a classic tool watch, with a more design-focused look.

Form and function-wise, it has the unidirectional bezel, 44.5mm case, and a 24-jewel automatic caliber.

However, the exceptionally confident two-tone bezel is decked with generously sized stencil-style numbers, and the hands and indices wear a fashionable gold outline, for a stylish, but still practical and masculine-looking sport watch.

Seiko SKX007

One of Seiko’s time-honored ultimates, the SKX007 is a must-have for fans of the brand.

Originally popularized for being one of the best affordable Submariner alternatives, this version of the SKX is now an icon on its own because of its classically handsome look, its 21-jewel legacy workhorse 7S26 automatic movement, and the Jubilee-Oyster hybrid bracelet it’s often paired with.

If you’re looking for a highly-esteemed and dependable dive, this guy is for you.

Dress Watches

Seiko Presage Gradient Cocktail Time SSA346

From Seiko Presage’s popular Cocktail Time series, the SSA346’s rose gold-toned steel case and brown croco-embossed leather strap is reminiscent of a swanky gentleman’s bar.

The champagne dial boasts seven layers of gloss finish, and the date indicator and power reserve add a gadget-aesthetic that doesn’t take away from the overall elegance.

Go for this 29-jewel automatic if you like your dress watches to have a technical visual touch to them.

Seiko SARB035

The often elusive SARB035 is coveted for its versatility, classy and clean design that forgoes unnecessary elements, and its collectability.

The 035’s beautiful cream dial, delicate and polished indices, and sword hands have a recognizably distinguished style, even compared to its closest copycats. With its sapphire crystal, 50-hour power reserve, and icon status, the SARB035 is a genuine crowd-pleaser.

Seiko Open Heart SSA231

The SSA231 features a whimsical and fun design with its open heart, white dial, and Roman indices, but also a robust and sturdy build. It has a case size of 41mm, 13mm thick, and runs on the 41-hour power 4R39A movement.

While the open heart gives you a preview of this 24-jewel movement, you can see the full show on the back, making this entertaining timepiece the perfect accessory for boring events!

Seiko Presage SRPE43J1

This Seiko SRPE43J1 is a brilliant mix of different styles of dress watch features: simple seconds, alternating Arabic and baton indices, silver-toned dauphine hands, a contoured date window, and all in the timeless and versatile body of a Presage.

What really makes this watch stand out though, is its striking dial, a kaleidoscoping pattern design in deep blue.

Casual Watches

Seiko SSA383

If you love cool textures, a unique style, and an authoritative all-black look, the Seiko SSA383 serves up visual dimensions.

The case is steel with a carbon titanium coating, the crown features knurled edges, and the dial face sports a racetrack on the outer edge, a thin ring of Arabic numerals within the track, and finally a carbon-like center dial.

All of that is complemented by a sailcloth, leather-backed strap, and powered by the reliable 4R37 automatic caliber.

Seiko 5 SNK617

This reasonably-sized 37mm timepiece is sleek and modern, yet the red second markers partnered with every hour index is a clever design touch, giving us the color palette of an old-school Game Boy.

It runs on the entry-level 7S26 self-winding movement, which is exposed through the exhibition caseback. Between its cool design and automatic caliber, this watch definitely punches above its sub-100 price point.

Seiko Arabic Dial SNKP21

The SNKP21 is mostly minimal, with its stark black dial, luminous silver-tone hands, and simple bezel with gradual lugs.

This serves as the perfect backdrop for the statement design of this timepiece, its beautiful and unique Arabic numerals, printed in an alluring slate color. This watch is truly exquisite, unlike any other, and sleek enough to be worn in formal situations.

Seiko SNKM97

A popular model from Seiko’s vintage-reboot Recraft collection, the retro-cool dial boasts a fun 60s green-and-gold palette, complemented by a robust cushion case.

At 43.5mm, it wears big on the wrist, almost like a chunky bracelet. The green face has a smooth patinated and gradation black around it, for a silky sophisticated look in the evening, and a shiny lightplay under the sun.

Which One’s the Best Seiko Automatic?

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As always, it depends what you’re looking for, and what your personal style is! With Seiko, you get what you pay for, so it makes looking for a watch easier and less stressful. Plus, you can focus on the fun stuff, like styles, functions, or possible experimentation.

That, plus all of Seiko’s movements are in-house provides an added cache too!

Which models are your favorite? Do you have a Seiko caliber preference?

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