The 7 Best Japanese Watches For Every Style And Budget

If you’ve ever heard the saying that a German car is like a Swiss watch — when it runs perfectly, there’s nothing like it, but when it breaks, prepare yourself to dig deep in the wallet — well, then it can surely be said that a Japanese car can be equated to a Japanese watch, and that means reliability in spades and low cost of ownership. Thankfully, the Japanese watch market only has a few key players, and each brand makes timepieces that not only last but require little to no maintenance and look good all the while. Any watch collector, amateur or otherwise, would be well advised to own at least one great timepiece from Japan, and it likely would qualify as one for near-daily wear since they’re tough as nails and inexpensive to repair or replace.

Seiko Prospex SRP777 (Editor's Choice)

This reissue of the classic 1970s Seiko 6309 is worth grabbing since it deviates little from the great original. The stainless steel cushion-style case keeps a manly 44.3 diameter but floats nicely on the wrist for all-day comfort. The fully automatic in-house movement is accurate and smooth, while the insane Seiko Lumibrite hands and markers beam in the night or in the 200 meter oceanic depths to which the watch is rated.

Citizen Drive HTM

Citizen Drive HTM Citizen As a member of Citizen’s new Drive series, the HTM is a racing-inspired timepiece that’s got Ferrari-like hues and a solar powered battery that never needs replacing, a blend of artfulness and utility wrapped in a slick chronograph. The blackened stainless steel case has functioning chrono pushers, and it’s capped off by a tough mineral crystal. The polyurethane strap lets you stay active, and the 330-foot water resistance means it can go semi-aquatic without worry.

Casio Edifice Black Dial

Casio Edifice Black Dial Casio Casio’s Edifice series dials up the sophistication for their brand, and the Black Dial balances sportiness and class perfectly. The chronograph has 1/20 second measurement, a tachymeter bezel and 100-meter water resistance. The croc-print leather deployant clasp strap lends style, while matching the matte black dial.

Seiko 2nd Generation Monster

Seiko 2nd Generation Monster Seiko Another one of Seiko’s great cult following watches is the Monster. So nicknamed for its toughness, the 2nd gen watch gets a more dramatic dial with red-outlined markers and hands, as well as a new 24-jewel Seiko caliber 4R36 automatic movement. The same great stainless steel case and bracelet, the insane lume and the seamlessly ratcheting toothy bezel go thankfully unchanged.

Casio G-Shock Mudmaster

Casio G-Shock Mudmaster Casio The Mudmaster is the Special Forces of timepieces in this group, because its list of capabilities is dizzying. The big resin case can take 200 meters of depth, and is also resistant to shock, mud, and dust, in case your adventures call for more punishment. It also features a stopwatch, countdown timer, 5 alarms, an automatic calendar, compass, world time and thermometer. Just don’t ask it to bake you something. It might just try.

Citizen Eco-Drive Sport

Citizen Eco-Drive Sport Citizen An affordable pilot-style watch has never looked this good, been so affordable or promised life sans battery. Powered by the sun, the Eco-Drive means seamless timekeeping. The black dial gets 12- and 24-hour time, and the expansive date window adds a nice artistic touch to an otherwise flight-inspired aesthetic.

Seiko Sport Solar

Seiko Sport Solar Seiko Bold military style and solar power come together in this dark stainless steel timepiece that exudes toughness. The black dial gets decorated with vintage-hued numerals and markers and lumed white sword hands, and the olive nylon band is the perfect accent piece that brings it all together.