Types Of Japanese Men’s Watches | 20 Most Reliable Japanese Watches

by Erika Shinomoto
best japanese men's watches

A watch can enhance your outfit and look like no other accessory. Read on to check out the best Japanese men’s watches!  Japan has become a world leader in embracing technological innovation and producing functional watches that stand the test of time. Japan’s booming watch industry has some of the most popular watch brands that are well-known around the world. 

Classic men’s watch brands like Citizen, Seiko, Orient, and G-Shock are some of the labels that have garnered world success. These labels have brought to the forefront of world-class watches that have highly practical designs and advanced features. 

A right watch can be your most revered accessory that matches your style and personality. However, with a plethora of premium Japanese watches available, choosing one can be confusing. Here, I present to you the best Japanese men’s watches to help you find your perfect fit.

Types Of Japanese Watches

Types of Watch Movements

  • Quartz
  • Mechanical
  • Automatic

Types of Watch Displays

  • Digital
  • Hybrid
  • Analog
  • Touchscreen
  • Tactile

Types of Watch Styles

  • Casual Watches
  • Luxury Watches
  • Dress Watches
  • Fashion Watches

Types of Speciality Watches

  • Pilot Watches
  • Solar Watches
  • Diving Watches

Best Japanese Men’s Watches — Quick Summary

Best Japanese Men’s Watches
Casio G-Shock GMW-B 5000 D-1 ‘Full Metal’ – Best Japanese Men’s Watches
G-Shock Rangeman GPR-B1000
G – LIDE GWX – 5700 CS – 1 JF – Must-buy Watch In Japan
CITIZEN Bluetooth Watch
Citizen ATTESA Eco-Drive AT2141-52L 
OCW – T 2600 L – 1 AJF 
SEIKO PROSPEX Diver Scuba SBDC 059
ORIENT Classic Semi Skeleton Sun & Moon Mechanical Watch RN-AS0002S Men’s Watch
Orient Star “modern skeleton” WZ0191DK
Orient Ray 2 Analog Japanese Automatic Silver Watch
Citizen Eco-drive Promaster Professional Diver’s Watch
Casio Edifice EQS-800CDB-1AVCF Quartz Watch
Grand Seiko Sport SBGE248 Spring Drive GMT Watch
Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk Watch
Seiko SNE331 Solar Dress Watch
Orient Bambino 2nd Gen Version III Automatic Watch
Casio EF527D-1AV Watch
Seiko SNE098 Solar Analog Watch
Citizen AT4010-50E Eco-drive Watch
Seiko SNE098 Solar Analog Watch

Which Is The Best Japanese Watches For Men?

The Japanese watch brands are known to create high-quality watches that are not only stylish but also extremely durable and long lasting. Here are the best Japanese watches for men:

  • Casio G-Shock GMW-B 5000 D-1 ‘Full Metal’
  • Citizen ATTESA Eco-Drive AT2141-52L 
  • SEIKO PROSPEX Diver Scuba SBDC 059
  • Citizen Eco-drive Promaster Professional Diver’s Watch
  • Orient Monarch FDD03002B Watch

Casio G-Shock GMW-B 5000 D-1 ‘Full Metal’

If there’s one thing you need to know about trends, it’s that they always make a comeback. And Casio is known to produce some of the best Japanese men’s watches in the market. If you take one quick look at the Casio G- Shock Full Metal, a name derived from its sturdy metal body, you’ll have a flashback of the 80s with its retro look.  

The first thing you’d notice is the brick pattern around the edges of the display: these are small solar panels! Other features include Multi-Band 6 for clock accuracy, a global clock for 300 cities, chronograph, calendar, alarms and Bluetooth 4.1. 

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The time setting application lets you automatically sync time between your phone and watch. You can use the mobile app to set reminders and the watch will display custom text that you input from the app. The watch is water-resistant and can go as deep as 200 meters. At 167g, the watch can be comfortably worn all day long. 

Related: If you’re looking for a special gift for your loved one, here are more Japanese gifts other than watches!

G-Shock Rangeman GPR-B1000

Another release from the G-Shock range is the G-Shock Rangeman GPR-B1000, with the world’s first solar-assisted GPS navigation system. It also has a barometer, compass and a thermometer, collectively called the Triple Sensor, and as if that wasn’t enough, it has Bluetooth connectivity as well!

The LCD is protected by a sapphire crystal and a carbon fiber insert band. And can be submerged underwater for 200m. It’s protected against mud and dust, this rugged watch makes for the most valuable tool to get lost within the wilderness!Accompanying the watch is a smartphone app that also lets you sync your time. Similar to smartphones, this watch uses a USB powered base station to charge itself. 

The GPS function with solar power will work for 48 hours, after which only the time display function will work.   

citizen at4010 50e eco drive watch

Related: Here are some Japanese souvenirs you can take as gifts for your friends and family!

G – LIDE GWX – 5700 CS – 1 JF

The first thing you notice about the G – Lide is the range of colors that it comes in. The blue and white versions are especially eye-catching. This is a solar-powered watch, making it great for outdoor activities. Typical to the G-Shock line are features that aid training with the timer feature. It’s also slim, at 14.2mm, which is negligible for athletes during training. A full charge will last for 10 months.  

seiko 5 sports field watch

CITIZEN Bluetooth Watch

Citizen’s Bluetooth Watch is a handsome timepiece that’s pretty much a smartwatch. After you download the app and sync it to your phone, the time is automatically calibrated. 

With a titanium body, this watch alerts you of incoming calls, texts and other notifications with sounds and vibration. A fully charged watch will last 4 years.

Best japanese men's watches

Citizen ATTESA Eco-Drive AT2141-52L 

One of the best Japanese men’s watches in the industry, the Attesa Eco-Drive AT2141-52L uses any natural or artificial light to convert it into energy. This ensures that you don’t need a battery to keep the clock running. The watch has a blue sunray dial with a date window at the 4 O’ clock mark. 

It’s a 42mm stainless steel case watch with an anti-reflective sapphire dial window. It’s water-resistant up to 100m, making it suitable for most water activities.

best japanese automatic watches

OCW – T 2600 L – 1 AJF 

The Oceanus from Casio is a truly beautiful watch. A Japanese polishing technique, known as Zaratsu, makes its finish so polished, you could use it as a mirror! And the dual dial lets you know the time in two locations. The titanium and leather combination makes the watch light at just 56 grams. The battery lasts for around five months after a full charge. 

most reliable watch brands

SEIKO PROSPEX Diver Scuba SBDC 059

The unique color of the Seiko Propsex Diver Scuba clock face pays homage to the coral reefs. It’s waterproof up to 200 meters and has magnetic resistance as well. The internal elements are phosphorescent to enable you to see the time in the dark.  

ORIENT Classic Semi Skeleton Sun & Moon Mechanical Watch RN-AS0002S Men’s Watch

The Orient Classic is a unique watch with a luxurious rose gold finish that features a sun and moon dial on its watch to indicate day or night. Besides the sun and moon dial, is an opening that lets you see the inner workings of the watch. The Sun and Moon Dial next to the slot shows the inner mechanics of the watch. 

minimalist japanese watch brands

Orient Star “modern skeleton” WZ0191DK

The Orient Star has a power reserve display, which shows how much battery is left; at full charge, the battery lasts for more than 40 hours. It has strong magnetic resistance and is also water-resistant to 100 m. 

japan watches online 2

Orient Ray 2 Analog Japanese Automatic Silver Watch

The Ray 2 is Orient’s new and improved version of its original best-seller, the Ray. The upgraded version boasts of a refined caliber F6922 movement with 22 jewels and a new, hand-winding ability.

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The watch comes with a hack function that was not there in the earlier version. You can stop the second hand by pulling the crown out. With this hack function, you can sync the time with ease. The new Ray version is more uncomplicated than its forerunner.

It also flaunts a 120-click unidirectional diving bezel and extraordinary luminescence for visibility in low light conditions. It is water-resistant to 200 m, making it suitable for most marine activities.

japanese movement watch brands

Citizen Eco-drive Promaster Professional Diver’s Watch

The Citizen Japanese watch brand is a very popular watch brand in Japan and also one offers a line of best Japnese men’s watches. Citizen’s eco-drive Promaster is a timeless piece with unique features. The most vital part about this watch is that the offset crown allows for more comfortable all-day wear. Regardless of the activities you indulge in, this watch is going to make wearing it a piece of cake. 

For extra durability, the watch comes with a stainless steel case with a crown shield. It also boasts of a dive timer bezel. And if that wasn’t enough, another tantalizing feature of this diver’s watch is its solar-powered movement, meaning that you do not need a battery.

You only need natural or artificial light sources to keep your watch ticking. Other notable features of the watch include an alarm, a perpetual calendar, 12 and 24-hour displays, and a date window.

seiko sne098 solar analog watch

Casio Edifice EQS-800CDB-1AVCF Quartz Watch

Another example of one of the best Japanese men’s watches from Casio. While the most popular and best-known watches from Casio is its G Shock range, the brand also makes other timeless and refined watches. 

The Edifice EQS-800CDB-1AVCF is one of Casio’s timekeepers. The watch boasts smartphone connectivity and a solar-powered quartz movement. You will enjoy the watch’s 100 m water-resistance, making it great for water activities, except for snorkeling. 

orient monarch review 1

Grand Seiko Sport SBGE248 Spring Drive GMT Watch

The Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT Watch is a beautiful piece that will draw you towards itself. This is a new release that is crafted with precision and care. It boasts of a combination of stainless steel and 18K gold. 

The beauty of the watch is enough to make you excited, however, it’s an extraordinary watch with some marvelous timekeeping features. The most exciting feature of the watch is the Spring Drive movement. It combines the motive force of a mainspring with the high precision of a quartz watch. What’s more, it has a 72-hour power reserve, a date window, and more.

iconic citizen watches

Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk Watch

The Promaster Nighthawk is another solar-powered watch from Citizen. Despite this, it’s vastly distinct from its diver’s watch sibling.  It is a watch perfect for pilots and travelers. It features a stainless steel case and link band. It also boasts of a slide rule, which is a handy tool that relives the pilots of digital instruments.

They can use the watch to complete on-the-fly calculations easily. Sure, the watch has a learning curve, however, if you are mathematics savvy, you will enjoy this Japanese watch.

best japanese automatic movement

Seiko SNE331 Solar Dress Watch

The Seiko SNE331 Solar Dress Watch is a high-quality watch that comes at a budget-friendly price. It’s an analog watch that features a stainless steel case, a 43 mm diameter, and a black bezel. The dark-colored dial comes with silver-tone hands and khaki-colored markings. The nylon strap is green-colored, making it perfect for casual wear. 

Numerous other features make this watch a desirable choice for everyday use. One of the notable features of this watch is that it’s water-resistant up to 100 meters, making it wearable during water activities. Apart from this, the watch also has a day/date display at the 3 O’ clock mark. 

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The watch also boasts of the Japanese quartz movement and is powered by solar or light energy, which means that you do not need a battery. If the battery is low, the watch will tick every two seconds to preserve power and to indicate that the battery is low. 

japanese watch brands logos

Orient Bambino 2nd Gen Version III Automatic Watch

The Orient Bambino 2nd Gen Automatic Watch is a handsome watch that is just too good. The watch is available in several colorways. It boasts of a self-winding movement as well as a stainless steel case. What else? It also features a domed mineral crystal display, a 3 O’ clock date window, and a handsome leather strap. 

seiko snk805 seiko 5 automatic watch

Casio EF527D-1AV Watch

The Casio EF527D-1AV Watch is another beauty from the well-known brand of Casio. It is a timeless and fantastic piece that features a stainless steel case and band. It is a classically stylish piece that boasts of outstanding functions. 

This polished and impressive watch flaunts 100 m of water resistance and a 1/20 second chronograph function. It also features a slide-rotating inner bezel, which allows you to precisely measure and calculate speed, time, and fuel consumption. These features make this watch well-worth your money.

japan watch collection 2020

Seiko SNE098 Solar Analog Watch

The Seiko Solar Analog Watch comes with a sleek design that’s highly durable, thanks to its 38mm stainless steel case. It features a Hardlex dial window. It has an aesthetically pleasing design, which is water-resistant for up to 100 meters. This feature makes it a perfect watch for water activities such as swimming and snorkeling. You can, however, not use this watch while scuba diving. 

Being solar-powered, this watch does not need a battery. Sunlight is enough to keep the watch ticking. The watch also features the Japanese quartz movement and resets automatically. The sturdy design and excellent features make this a desirable Japanese watch.

watch brands like orient

Citizen AT4010-50E Eco-drive Watch

This one of the best Japanese men’s watches out there. Featuring 3 chronograph subdials, the Citizen AT4010-50E Eco-drive watch has an analog display with titanium link-bracelet. It also has an alarm feature. It doesn’t need a battery as it uses solar power. It’s also water-resistant up to 200ATM and is suitable for most water sports.

Citizen AT4010 50E Eco drive Watch

Seiko SNE098 Solar Analog Watch

This one’s a two-tone watch with a date window and gunmetal sunray dial. The Seiko SNE098 Solar Analog watch features a two-tone stainless steel band that has a deployment clasp with push-button.

It’s water-resistant up to 100m and is suitable to wear when swimming or snorkeling.

Seiko Mens SNE098 Two Tone Stainless Steel Watch

Best Japanese Men’s Watches: FAQs

Which is the best Japanese watch brand?

Casio, Citizen, and Seiko are amongst the top 3 Japanese watch brands for men. These watches are designed to be highly functional and stylish at the same time.

Are Japanese watches good?

Yes! In fact, Japanese watches are amongst the best in the industry today. Low in price but high in quality, Japanese watch brands have an upper hand in the industry today because of their quality-control. This is because most of their components are made in-house which gives Japanese watch brands full control over quality. One of the best Japanese watch brands is the Grand Seiko.

Are Japanese watches cheaper in Japan?

Japanese watch brands like Seiko are substantially cheaper in Japan. And plus, tourists shopping in Japan can claim a tax refund. And since Japan has strict laws against counterfeit goods you can rest assured that you’re buying the original brand in Japan. There’s an 8 percent tax in Japan on its goods. But tourists have the option of claiming a tax refund.

Which is the best Japanese watch movement?

The Japanese watch industry is extremely popular for its quartz movements/ Some of the best Japanese watch movement are Citizen Caliber 0100, Grand Seiko, and Citizen CTQ57-0953 Chronomaster. These three pieces are rated as the best High Accuracy Quartz (HAQ) watches in the world.

Are Japanese watches better than Swiss?

Japanese watches boast of its excellent functionality and technology and Swiss watches are all about luxury and style. So it entirely depends on the user’s preference functionality or style? If a watch with minimalist style and packed with features is something you want then you’ll like Japanese watches. If you want to make a style statement with your watch then Swiss watches will be a better fit for you.

Which Citizen watches are made in Japan?

Citizen was founded in Tokyo in 1918. All the Citizen watches are made in Japan.

Is Citizen watches a good brand?

Citizen offers some of the best Japanese watches for men and women. Citizen watches are highly durable, efficient and accurate. The watches are priced affordably. Citizen focuses more on technology of the watch than giving it a luxurious look.

Is Seiko and Citizen the same company?

Citizen group and Seiko group are two different Japanese companies. Both these Japanese companies are famous for its watches all over the world. Both Citizen and Seiko are giants in the watch industry with its own subsidiary brands.

What watches are made in Japan?

Most Japanese watch brands are made in Japan. The top 10 watches made in Japan are:

  1. Orient Monarch FDD03002B0 watch
  2. Citizen AT4010-50E eco-drive watch
  3. Seiko SNE098 Solar Analog Watch
  4. Casio G-Shock GMW-B 5000 D-1 ‘Full Metal’
  5. G-Shock Rangeman GPR-B1000
  6. G – LIDE GWX – 5700 CS – 1 JF 
  7. CIIZEN Bluetooth Watch
  8. OCW – T 2600 L – 1 AJF
  9. SEIKO PROSPEX Diver Scuba SBDC 059
  10. ORIENT Classic Semi Skeleton Sun & Moon Mechanical Watch RN-AS0002S Men’s Watch

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