What Does Your Seiko Say About You?

The past weeks and months have seen us explore what your Rolex says about you and the characteristics of typical Omega wearers. Today, we’re checking out the adoring fans of the Japanese watch company Seiko. This traditional watchmaker from Tokyo has a dyed-in-the-wool legion of fans – even though some Swiss luxury watch purists happily deride Seiko as a second-class brand. So what makes some folks go for a Prospex, Presage, or Seiko 5? And what do these watches say about their wearers?

So, without further ado, here’s our not-so-serious take on those who love a Seiko on their wrist.

The Seiko H558 for Action Heroes

“Get to the choppa!” is your all-time favorite movie quote. You can’t help but call out these words whenever you watch Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987’s testosterone-saturated action flick Predator. You probably wore out your VHS copy as a kid, during a time in your life when the bodybuilding icon/future California governor was your biggest idol. His impact on your life was probably so profound that you, at some point, made a beeline to the local sporting goods store to pick up a set of dumbbells and a tub of protein powder. The only problem was, physical activity was never really your thing, and after a while, those dumbbells could be found gathering dust somewhere in your basement.

But, gaming controller in hand, you still regularly transform into an action hero as you blast away at monsters and bad guys in a manner Arnold would be proud of. It’s not much of a surprise, if we’re honest. After all, you’re donning the Seiko H558 “Arnie,” precisely the timepiece donned by Schwarzenegger’s character Major “Dutch” as he hunts a mysterious hostile alien deep in the jungle.

The Seiko “Golden Tuna”: A Watch for True Bond Connoisseurs

You love James Bond, and you love watches. But can you believe the prices for some of these Bond timepieces like the Rolex and Omega? However, as someone in the know, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a fantastic Bond watch collection going. In his role as 007, Roger Moore wore nine different Seikos. Is it any wonder why he’s your favorite James Bond of all time?

The watch in your collection that you’re particularly proud of is the Seiko 7549-7009 Professional Dive Watch “Golden Tuna.” It’s a nickname worthy of this timepiece: With its circular case that’s just a smidge under 50 mm, and a case thickness of nearly 17 mm, this diver’s watch does, in fact, remind you of a can of tuna. That’s beside the point for you because this timepiece is downright elegant with its golden crown and golden bezel edge. Top that, Rolex and Omega Bond watches! And how many cans of tuna do you know that are water-resistant to 600 meters (60 bar, 1969 feet), made of titanium, and built to survive saturation dives? You’re already set to go the next time you need to hop out of a submarine on a (highly classified) mission like Roger Moore did in For Your Eyes Only.

For Forward-Thinking Technology Lovers: The Seiko Presage Spring Drive

Admit it: You’re a sucker for technological innovation. And when it comes to watches, Seiko is the only brand for you. After all, they are the only ones that regularly make giant leaps forward in the field of watchmaking. Sure, the Swiss brands are constantly working to optimize their calibers. But really, aren’t these just the same calibers they were putting in their watches, like, 200 years ago? Seiko: Now there’s a watchmaker who knows how to blaze a trail or two – according to you, at least.

Need proof? Just look at the Seiko Presage SNR037J1 and its Spring Drive caliber adorning your wrist. This innovation is light years ahead of the, ahem, “technology” commonly found in other watches, as you like to remind those who care to listen. Sure, you can’t explain exactly how a Spring Drive works, but when it comes to precision and elegance, one thing is sure: all those other plain old watches and their mechanics can’t hold a candle to your Seiko.

Heeding the Call of the Wild: The Seiko Alpinist

If there’s one thing you can’t stand, it’s unnecessary bells and whistles. A watch enthusiast like yourself likes to keep things practical and robust enough to withstand the tests of your myriad outdoor activities. And your watch needs to have great value too. You’d never dream of purchasing a timepiece as a status symbol. or because it’s a fan favorite, or because it’s “hot” right now. Nope, none of that delivers the functionality your life of outdoor adventure demands, and by golly, some of those other watches are just downright expensive!

So what else would you be wearing besides the Seiko Prospex SPB197J1 Alpinist? And hey, when it comes to ticking all the outdoorsy boxes on your list, this watch gets it done. It’s a product of a watchmaker with great heritage, has an in-house mechanical caliber, is reliable and robust, and won’t break the bank. By the way, not that we think you will, but in the unlikely situation that you happen to get lost out in the wilderness, the Alpinist’s internal rotating compass bezel will guide you back to where you need to go. Now all you have to do is figure out how to use it…

So for those Rolex and Omega-wielding friends and colleagues who accuse you of being “frugal,” remember to show a little love. These folks have fallen victim to well-executed marketing strategies, in the process spending vast sums of money on watches. For a fraction of their price, they instead could have put the world’s greatest brand on their wrists.