Grail Watch

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Hajime Asaoka: Chrono and Kurono, Bunkyō Tokyo

March 1, 2021 By Stephen 2 Comments

Hajime Asaoka’s more-affordable watches define the current trend of “must-have” limited-edition watches. Launched in 2018 for the domestic market as Chrono Tokyo and 2019 as Kurono Tokyo, these watches are an international sensation. In this article, I walk through every Chrono and Kurono watch through 2021.

Filed Under: Commentary, Reviews Tagged With: Chrono Tokyo, Hajime Asaoka, Japan, Kurono Tokyo, Miyota

Seiko Galante History Part 2: Open Your Heart to Tokyo

August 13, 2019 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Seiko launched a mechanical Galante line in 2010 as a cheaper alternative to the Spring Drive watches the brand was known for. This SBLL line featured an “open heart” highlighting the ticking balance and the design focused on the city of Tokyo.

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: 8L38, Galante, SBLL, Seiko

Seiko Galante History Part 1: Selling Sex in Japan

August 10, 2019 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Among Japanese watchmaking giant Seiko Group’s vast array of watch lines, perhaps none is as odd as Galante. A high-end brand with a modern, avant garde look that expresses a different face of Japan, Galante features novel construction and high-end finishing. The initial Galante models, from 2005 through 2009, all used Seiko’s Spring Drive movement and were sold with a combination of sex and celebrity.

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: 5R65, 5R66, 5R86, Galante, Seiko, Spring Drive

Surveying the 2018 Seiko x Giugiaro “Speed Master” LCD Reissue Series (SBJG)

January 18, 2019 By Stephen 5 Comments

Seiko has been collaborating with Giugiaro Design since the 1980s. The most famous fruit of this collaboration was the “Aliens” watch line, which have been reissued in recent years. In late 2018, Seiko introduced another reissue: The SBJG multi-function digital models we will discuss today.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: A825, A828, Giugiaro, LCD, quartz, SBJG, Seiko, Seiko Giugiaro, Speed Master, SSBA

Seiko Returns With Another Giugiaro SCED Series

January 17, 2019 By Stephen 3 Comments

When Seiko reissued the 1980s-style “Aliens” Giugiaro watches between 2013 and 2015, collectors were thrilled. But after thoroughly exhausting color combinations on the “Ripley” and “Bishop” watches, where would Seiko go next? They turned to the less well-known 7A28-7A00 SBBJ “Speed Master” series, with angled faces inside a round case.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: 7A28, 7T12, Giugiaro, SBBJ, SCED, Seiko, Seiko Giugiaro

The Curious Case of the Seiko SARA and 4L25

December 21, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Despite an amazing history of producing excellent watches and watch movements, Seiko never seems to get the respect it deserves. But perhaps the most curious attempt by Seiko to challenge the Swiss came in the form of the SARA watch and the 4L25 movement inside.

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: 4L25, Brightz, SARA005, Seiko

Seiko 5: My First Mechanical Watch

April 22, 2018 By Stephen 2 Comments

I wore this watch for a few years before getting more into watches and investing in a more serious Swiss daily-wear watch. Although it’s really nothing special, this Seiko 5 was an important door into the world of watches, and I strongly recommend models like this to friends. They’re durable, interesting, and well-made. Even watch snobs love a good Seiko!

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: 7S26, affordable watches, Magic Lever, Seiko, Seiko 5

Seiko Giugiaro SCED035: Daughter of Ripley

April 21, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

The other day I wore the Seiko SCED017 “Bishop” Reissue for “Watch A Day”, so today I am turning to the SCED035 “Ripley” reissue. I like this one better than the Bishop in many ways, though the boxy styling is definitely polarizing.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: 7T12, Aliens, Chronograph, Ellen Ripley, Limited Editions, Ripley, Seiko, Seiko Giugiaro, Seiko Spirit, Watches

Orient Blue Ray: Weekend Diver

April 15, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Today for “Watch A Day” I’m wearing one of my favorite casual watches, the blue Orient Ray diving watch. It’s a favorite among watch enthusiasts and a great buy for under $300. Nothing frumpy or fancy here (apart from Orient’s goofy logo), just functionality, reliability, and good looks.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: Magic Lever, Orient, Orient Ray, Seiko 7006, Seiko Epson, Seiko Group

Seiko Lord Matic 5606: Retro TV

April 12, 2018 By Stephen Leave a Comment

I’m on a Seiko kick this week for my “Watch A Day” series but this is a bit of an oddball. This Lord Matic is a mainstream automatic with dated 1970s styling and a decent but not awesome automatic movement. It’s the kind of watch many of us have in the box, getting occasional glances but infrequent wear.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: Lord Matic, Seiko, Seiko 5606, Seiko Lord Matic, Suwa Seikosha

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