A Head-To-Head Comparability · Easy Gent

Seiko and Citizen are two Japanese watch manufacturers identified for electronics, horological chops, and incomparable self-discipline. In some ways, that’s the place the similarities finish, but they have a tendency to get in contrast to one another typically. Face to face, we’re going to have a look at Seiko vs Citizen.    

Each manufacturers have loads to supply and have lots of market presence, every for various causes. So in actual fact, it is sensible to have a look at them facet by facet. 

We’ll kick it off with the overarching query:

Which is Higher: Seiko vs Citizen?

Once more, each construct nice watches. Nonetheless, Seiko is a heritage model with a narrative that’s expressed in its market-ranging sublines. Citizen was based by buyers and has a workhorse strategy to watchmaking, leading to technological improvements, awards for environmentalism, and total extra inexpensive timepieces.   

Let’s check out each, beginning with Citizen.

Citizen: A Nearer Look

Citizen Watch Co. was based in 1930 when Japanese and Swiss buyers took over the Shokosha Watch Analysis Institute. They’re identified for a heads-down strategy to watchmaking and their deal with minimizing environmental affect.

They’ve contributed many developments to the watch trade together with the primary multi-band atomic timekeeping watch in 1993, the primary voice-recognizing wristwatch in 1987, and their well-known Eco-Drive know-how which catapulted Citizen into business markets in 1990.

Citizen Eco-Drive is powered by gentle power from any supply. Vitality is saved in a titanium lithium-ion battery that doesn’t cease operating, creating no want for a conventional battery. Because of a particular lubricant, their Eco-Drive watches can last as long as 20 years!

Seiko has since debuted Seiko Photo voltaic, a superb light-charged watch. Citizen, nevertheless, is the pioneer of this know-how and has extra Eco-Drive choices in terms of types and fashions than Seiko’s Photo voltaic choices. 

Seiko Photo voltaic makes use of a conventional photo voltaic cell behind their dial, so they need to construct the dial with particular supplies that gained’t block gentle from getting in. Citizen’s photo voltaic ring, alternatively, sits on the outer periphery of the dial, permitting them extra flexibility with designs and dial supplies.

Relatedly, Citizen has gained Japan’s Econ Mark, an award given to environmentally-minded improvements.

One factor Citizen doesn’t focus a lot on is a streamlined model identification, which makes them far completely different from Seiko.

Citizen: The Model Collaborator

Collectors who benefit from the tradition and lore of a model might not love this, particularly since so many various fashions share the identical identify (at all times verify the reference quantity!). Nonetheless, Citizen has used this blank-slate model strategy to create lasting partnerships, most notably with Disney.

With Citizen, Disney has applied spectacular model collaborations involving lots of their properties, together with Star Wars and Marvel.

Citizen gives the top-notch product that meets Disney’s famously excessive requirements, whereas Disney gives the branding.

Do you ever get nostalgic for that kids’s Spider-Man or Mickey Mouse watch you had as a child? Properly, depend on Citizen to construct a totally functioning model of it suited to a grown man!

Additionally they purchased out Bulova, buying a few of the world’s most correct quartz watches, they usually personal Miyota, one of many largest motion factories on the market. 

Seiko: A Comparability

Not like Citizen, Seiko has a legendary story behind its founding. Began as a watch and jewellery store by a 13 year-old clockmaker’s apprentice in 1881, Seiko finally grew into the esteemed model it’s right this moment. 

They actually have their hand in each motion, each type, and each innovation. Impressively, they’ve grow to be that uncommon grasp of all trades.

Because of their unwasteful Japanese effectivity, the Seiko 5 line provides inexpensive automatics to these desirous about horology. Via their detail-oriented professionalism, they serve up the Prospex line for many who want licensed sport watches. 

Most notably, their proficiency in quartz actions, computerized actions, and real artistry has given us the astoundingly lovely Grand Seiko line. Citizen has nothing on this vary.

Most, if not all, of Citizen’s best-sellers fall into their various and glorious Eco-Drive line. Seiko has recognizable best-sellers in all of their sublines.

Since they’ve one foot in historical past, they’ll have way over Citizen in the best way of traditional mechanical dives, hand-made luxurious timepieces, and small old school costume watches. In truth, most of Citizen’s watches are enormous.

In the event you’re searching for a timeless high-quality computerized watch outdoors of Switzerland, Seiko is certainly one of your greatest bets.

Evaluating Citizen and Seiko Watches

Let’s examine some Seiko and Citizen fashions within the classes of price range, sport, costume, and luxurious watches:

Funds Watches: Citizen Avion AW1361-10H vs Seiko Photo voltaic Sport SNE331

Citizen Avion AW1361-10H

This 45mm throwback options precise layers to its charmingly retro face. The slick industrial case is related to sharply-angled lugs and a textured leather-based strap, all harking back to the jetset age. It’s an Eco-Drive quartz watch boasting an accuracy of +/- 15 seconds monthly, and 100m of water resistance.

Seiko Photo voltaic Sport SNE331

This military-inspired beater has a number of design highlights. These embrace the generously-sized stencil hour-markers for a cool look and legibility, the rugged-looking tread on the facet of the bezel, and its sturdy woven nylon strap. It’s barely smaller than the Citizen at 43mm, and has a 10-month energy reserve and 100m of water resistance.

Within the case of those two comparable photo voltaic watches, Citizen wins so far as motion, battery life, and complex design. We might have put the ball in Citizen’s court docket by evaluating price range solars, however on the finish of the day your style is crucial. In the event you desire a smaller, less complicated military-style timepiece, the SNE331 is a wonderful selection. 

Apart from these two fashions, in order for you a price range computerized, Seiko is the best way to go.

Sport Watches: Citizen Promaster Diver BN0150-28E vs Seiko Prospex Samurai SRPB51

Citizen Promaster Diver BN0150-28E

The Promaster line is Citizen’s assortment {of professional} sport watches. The BN0150-28E is a extra visually strong tackle the traditional diver, and has 200m of water resistance, a screwdown crown, rotating bezel, and luminous palms and markers.

As anticipated, its Eco-Drive motion is correct and dependable.

Seiko Prospex Samurai SRPB51

From Seiko’s skilled Prospex line, this Samurai is a extra historically streamlined diver, additionally that includes 200m of water resistance, rotating bezel, lume, and a screwdown crown. Collectors will acknowledge the trademark samurai palms, comprising an extended sword for the second and a brief dagger for the hour hand.

If you’d like a top quality traditional diver, Seiko hits all of the marks with the Prospex Samurai. It’s a high-value computerized with a superb and recognizable design. The Citizen’s quartz motion is unquestionably extra correct although. If that, or its chunkier design, is extra interesting to you, then go for the Promaster by all means.

Gown Watches: Citizen Corso AW1236-03A vs Seiko Tank SUP880

Citizen Corso AW1236-03A

The Citizen Corso is an easy, fashionable watch with clear strains and a easy end. It options a chrome steel case and a shiny metallic dial with rose gold accents.

The Roman numerals and croco-embossed leather-based strap infuse this up to date 40mm timepiece with some old-world refinement.

Seiko Tank SUP880

Relating to costume watches, you possibly can’t go unsuitable with a traditional, delicately-sized tank. This 28.5mm stunner boasts a timeless and complex design. It has a gold-colored case, stately Roman numerals for each hour on high of an understated pinstriped background, and a leather-based strap.

If you’d like a extra fashionable costume watch, the unconventionally giant Citizen Corso is a high quality selection. If you’d like a traditional and refined tank, then go for the Seiko.

The Seiko Tank is like a sublime pre-war residence, rooted in a single particular architectural custom, whereas the Corso is a brand new, recently-built fancy mansion. Relying in your tastes, both is a high quality selection.

Luxurious Watches: Citizen Satellite tv for pc Wave CC7000-01L vs Seiko Astron SAS032J1

Citizen Satellite tv for pc Wave CC7000-01L

This high-functionality watch sports activities an attention-grabbing design that mixes a clear easy silhouette with an exceedingly busy, multi-layered face.

The case is manufactured from sturdy and light-weight titanium, and a few capabilities embrace satellite tv for pc timekeeping for 40 time zones, a chronograph, and a perpetual calendar. The blue leather-based strap matches the beautiful face and palms.

Seiko Astron SAS032J1

This Seiko Astron combines a contemporary gadget type with an old-world gentleman’s aesthetic, topped off with a contemporary and glossy end. It achieves this by means of its subtle and intellectual-looking world map background, strong three-dimensional accents, and gold-plated ending all through.

This artwork sculpture of a watch boasts a sapphire crystal, a chronograph, and GPS amongst different enjoyable options.

Once more, Citizen offers us a cool, futuristic instrument aesthetic, whereas Seiko offers us a refined and worldly design. Citizen wins at making an attempt one thing fully new on the design entrance, whereas Seiko wins for making a timepiece that’s loud and stylish on the similar time.

And in order for you one thing much more luxurious, Grand Seiko provides Swiss-level timepieces far past what Citizen can supply at a worth, in fact!

Citizen vs Seiko Verdict

Once more, each Citizen and Seiko clearly have horological chops. 

Nonetheless in case you’re searching for giant future-minded items that veer from tried-and-true templates to an virtually irreverent diploma, Citizen is your man. Each manufacturers additionally supply photo voltaic watches, however Citizen provides them in much more types and is the extra eco-minded model of the 2.

If you’d like inexpensive and high-end automatics, a wide-range to select from, and esteem from the watch group, Seiko’s received it. It’s undoubtedly the extra horologically-inclined model, exhibiting reverence to custom whereas nonetheless trying to innovate. 

Each have enjoyable with their designs, however Citizen undoubtedly takes it additional left area, whereas Seiko respects the traditional artwork of watch designs.

Do you might have a desire between Citizen and Seiko? We hope this was useful!