You might have heard of the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s, where battery-powered watches became de rigueur and wiped out hundreds of mechanical brands. Unlike Citizen and Casio, their main focus is mechanical watchmaking, right down to their incredibly affordable in-house movements.Design-wise they tend to riff off classic styles, keeping things safe and restrained. They are Casio, Citizen and Seiko, period, full stop. Started as a humble watch and repair shop in Tokyo, Japan by Kintaro Hittaro in 1881, the watch brand has now grown worldwide with its market reaching the seven continents. Built to withstand pressure, divers with this watch can definitely explore the waters of  600 meters deep. The popularity of this watch stems from the surprise of many users that despite the fact it’s a $15 watch, it actually works as a dive watch. It’s a tradition that really took off in the 1970s, when Seiko’s quartz movements revolutionised the entire industry. You might have heard of the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s, where battery-powered watches became de rigueur and wiped out hundreds of mechanical brands. Ironically, these were not too popular or efficient, given their short battery life.Yet the technology would improve, and by 1973, the first digital watch would be commercialized globally. The band is silver, the dial is gray, and there are accents of gold giving a sleek look that will look great as both a dress or everyday watch. Those entering the Seiko family at either end of the price range share this one thing, if nothing else.

Their first series was back in 2005 and since then they’ve come a long way. Today, Seiko remains more than just a timepiece pioneer as the brand’s top-of-the-game watches continue to threaten its Western competitors. Though the brand was not yet an industry leader, this event would set the tone and expectation to be followed for decades to come.By the same token came Seiko’s first self-winding watch, and soon after their first Grand Seiko luxury mechanical timepiece.Most notorious was the introduction of the Seiko Quartz Astron in 1969. In fact, Japan’s probably had far more of an impact on watchmaking than you know – not all of it good. Though their best-known watches most certainly come from their G-SHOCK sub-brand, Casio does make other watches for those looking for timekeepers with a bit more refinement in their styling. This also boasts of a perpetual calendar up to the year 2100. With that in mind, the brand’s vintage-style timepieces aren’t any real surprise.37mm with a champagne dial, small-seconds, elegantly curved numerals and beautiful leaf-shaped blue steel hands, the Type 1B is almost classical to a fault. Given this, one of the brands included here has been able to implement the latest technology to create truly high-end and luxurious watches. It’s a simple watch but incredibly well-made – the same kind of piece that built F.P. Journe. They’re usually after reliability and simple functionality, which brings us to the next point…Their quality. On the other side of the Japanese HAQ is other brand Seiko, the creator of the first production quartz watch in 1969. For the Divido, their signature round model, you’re looking at roughly £2,900. With unlimited possibilities, and with the advent of online shopping to give you access to a watch on the other side of the world, it’s easier than ever for your ideal watch to make it’s way to your wrist.Finally, it starts to make sense. Sure, it’s similar to Seiko’s Astron in that respect but it does so without needing a satellite signal.At the top end they produce what we in the industry like to call “superquartz” watches. Parts of the watches are meticulously made in-house so it could give fans and customers the highest quality possible.You can effortlessly identify Orient’s Bambino through its domed design, both in the crystal and the dial.The frequent traveler would truly benefit from Orient’s dual time watch, as you could know what time it currently is at your destination and how many hours are left before you could call back home in an instant.Orient Ray is an improved timepiece that has the features of self-winding and hand-winding, and is projected to be the company’s next bestseller.The original Mako may be a fan favorite, but this version promises to be bigger, stronger and better, so watch out.Enjoy a sleek exterior and a colorful dial in one with this Orient watch that is precise in its timekeeping and the exact opposite of boring with its rainbow theme.The Swiss may boast of their refined aesthetics, but the Japanese continues to live by its values of efficiency and practicality with its exports.
For a striking, immaculately-finished watch that’s not bad at all.Most watchmakers here offer accessible, affordable timepieces; not so Hajime Asaoka. Expressly, they’d provide movements and even watches for them to white label.This strategy proved successful, particularly with Bulova, and allowed the company to continue investing in R&D. Diamond-dusted dials, hand-painted scenery, if it takes a ridiculous amount of time and skill it’s probably on a Credor somewhere.