Japanese watches have earned a global reputation for precision, innovation, and artistry. Whether you’re looking for luxury craftsmanship, everyday durability, or cutting-edge technology, Japanese watchmakers offer something for everyone. In this article, we explore 11 of the best Japanese watch brands, highlighting what makes each one unique.
Table of Contents
1. Grand Seiko
Founded: 1960
Specialty: Luxury craftsmanship, precision movements, and timeless design
Grand Seiko is one of the top names in Japanese watchmaking and is Seiko’s premium division, It is dedicated to creating watches with exceptional precision and design.
Grand Seiko has created the amazing Spring Drive movement, which combines the accuracy of quartz with the beauty of mechanical watchmaking. Each watch Grand Seiko makes undergoes meticulous Zaratsu polishing, ensuring flawless finishes.
Grand Seiko: Pros & Cons
Where to Buy
2. Seiko
Founded: 1881
Specialty: Affordable innovation, dive watches, and quartz technology
Seiko is one of the most influential watch brands, famous for making the first-ever quartz watch in 1969.
Seiko has shaped the modern watch industry, offering a wide range of watches from entry-level to mid-tier and even some high-end watches.
Seiko’s is a very versatile brand. The Prospex line delivers professional-grade dive watches, while Presage offers elegant dress watches. They even have watches like the Astron line with a solar-powered GPS, which is perfect for frequent travelers.
Seiko: Pros & Cons
Where to Buy
3. Citizen
Founded: 1918
Specialty: Eco-friendly technology and affordable luxury
Citizen has earned a reputation for its Eco-Drive technology, which powers watches using light, removing the need for battery replacements. The brand is dedicated to sustainability and innovation, offering a diverse lineup of practical and stylish watches.
The Promaster series is ideal for adventurers, featuring rugged diving, hiking, and aviation designs. On the other hand, the Citizen collection offers better functions and movements. It’s made for those with a higher budget ($4.000-$8.400) looking for a more elegant design with better movement.
Citizen: Pros & Cons
Where to Buy
4. Casio
Founded: 1946
Specialty: Digital innovation, durability, and cutting-edge technology
Casio makes tough and functional watches, with the G-Shock line being the most rugged in design and having amazing shock resistance.
Casio is known for pioneering digital watches and the brand has consistently pushed boundaries in technology and style.
The G-Shock series is good for athletes and adventurers because of its resilience, while the Edifice collection blends sporty aesthetics with advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity.
Casio’s Pro Trek line caters to outdoor enthusiasts with solar charging and altimeter/barometer functions.
Casio: Pros & Cons
Where to Buy
5. Orient
Founded: 1950
Specialty: Affordable mechanical watches with timeless designs
Orient is a staple for watch enthusiasts who appreciate the charm of mechanical watches without breaking the bank. Orient is known for its in-house movements and classic aesthetic, the brand offers excellent value for money.
The Bambino series is a favorite among those seeking affordable dress watches. It’s vintage-inspired design and domed crystal characterize it.
They also have dive watches like, the Orient Mako and Kamasu, which deliver robust performance at accessible price points.
Orient: Pros & Cons
Where to Buy
6. Minase
Founded: 2005
Specialty: Artisanal craftsmanship and unique case designs
Minase is a unique brand known for its exclusive and artistic watches. Each one is handmade and carefully polished, inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Minase has made very original and unique watches.
An example of this is the Divido collection which has a case-in-case design, where the movement is visible and appears suspended within the watch. This attention to detail has made Minase watches popular with collectors and enthusiasts.
The Seven Windows series is also really unique and remarkable for its use of multi-faceted sapphire crystals, which create unique light reflections, making each watch feel like a miniature work of art.
Across all collections, Minase prioritizes exclusivity, hand-finishing, and the use of premium materials, ensuring each piece is both a functional timepiece and a statement of individuality.
Minase: Pros & Cons
Where to Buy
7. Credor (by Seiko)
Founded: 1974
Specialty: Ultra-luxury, hand-crafted timepieces
Credor represents the highest level of Japanese watchmaking, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.
As Seiko’s ultra-luxury brand, Credor creates beautiful watches in very small numbers, making them rare and special. Unlike Seiko and Grand Seiko, famous worldwide, Credor is less known outside Japan.
Until recently, their website was only in Japanese, and even now, the English version shows just six models out of 155.
One of their most impressive watches is the Eichi II, which has a simple design and a hand-painted porcelain dial.
Credor also makes chiming watches like the Spring Drive Sonnerie, showing their skill in both design and mechanics. These watches are truly unique and highly valued by collectors.
Credor: Pros & Cons
Where to Buy
8. Kurono Tokyo
Founded: 2019
Specialty: Retro-inspired, limited-production watches
Famous watchmaker Hajime Asaoka founded Kurono Tokyo, a micro brand that blends vintage-inspired aesthetics with modern precision.
Known for his innovative designs, Asaoka created Kurono to make his artistry more accessible, offering high-quality watches at a fraction of the cost. Each watch is crafted in limited quantities, making them highly sought after by collectors.
The brand’s designs focus on clean dials and luxurious details, offering a refined yet approachable luxury experience. Kurono Tokyo has gained international recognition for its attention to detail and exclusivity.
Kurono Tokyo: Pros & Cons
Where to Buy
9. Naoya Hida & Co.
Founded: 2018
Specialty: Bespoke, hand-finished mechanical watches
Naoya Hida & Co. is a boutique brand creating bespoke timepieces for collectors. Each watch features hand-finished components and a distinctive blend of traditional and modern design elements.
The NH Type series is known for its simple yet elegant dials, with a focus on quality and craftsmanship. With extremely limited production, the brand caters to watch enthusiasts who value exclusivity as the most-produced model has only been sold 22 times.
