[Horolofan]

Hi all,

So I was wondering which Japanese brands you think are the top 10 in terms of quality and brand image:

#1 Grand Seiko
#2 Seiko
#3 Edifice
#4 Citizen
#5 Orient

I honestly can't think of any other prestigious Japanese brand name.
Mostly I would consider a GS or Seiko, but even then there is something about the design that is a bit off putting on the classic styles (the sport styles in my opinion are better).

The movements however are equal or second only to the Swiss, and I like to wear watches of any brand with a good Japanese auto movement inside.

Curious to hear your opinion.

 

[tjc74]

I think that your list about covers it I would add Seiko Credor to the top of the list and move citizen under Seiko. They have some nice watches in the signature series.The Japanese have always made robust and reliable movements I'm happy to have several watches with their movements.

 

[mikeyt_53]

This is one of those questions that will never get 100% agreement as much of it comes down to personal taste. There really is only 4 major Japanese brands; Seiko, Casio, Orient & Citizen. From there you can break down the individual lines within a brand ie: Seiko Grand Seiko, Credor, Ananta, Casio's Edifice, G-Shock etc. Personally i think the Grand Seiko might be the best 'line' of watches out of those 4 brands.

 

[uglyone4u]

Credor Signo “Eichi II” suggested retail price is 5.5 million yen or about $50,000. Credor is the ultimate Japanese timepiece and is somehow continually overlooked by most collectors. Look at Seiko USA collections to view these watches, some that are so unique that there is no listed price, i.e. Credor Spring Drive Minute Repeater and Credor Spring Drive Sonnerie. While I agree that Grand Seiko is a very high end Japanese time piece, Seiko reserves its highest order efforts to the Credor branding. The Minute Repeater is rumored to sell for $325,000 if you can get a reservation to buy. I own four Credors, but none from this stratospheric price range.

 

[Horolofan]

Thanks, I had never heard of Seiko Credor, but from what I can see online, it is indeed the best the Japanese watch makers have to offer...
Considering that Credor are not widespread and not much advertised, at least in the west, I assume that buyers are favoring Swiss brands at those price levels ($10,000+)

#1 Seiko Credor
#2 Grand Seiko
#3 Seiko
#4 Edifice
#5 Citizen
#6 Orient

 

[BobInThailand]

I am assuming this thread is only about the big manufacturers because there are independent Japanese watchmakers that are in the range from the above thousand mark to the six digits. Hajime Asaoka makes two lines of watches one under his name and two under Chrono Tokyo and Kurono they basically start at about 1700 USD and up to the six figures. There is the brand name Minase watches that make a small quantity a year and start at 3k solid-looking watches and I would love to own one. Mashiro Kukuno makes watches where every piece is made by hand,and very costly and only a handful of watchmakers can make this claim. Below are my own Japanese watches. Then there is Naoya Hida which worked with F.P. Journe but just released his own watch.

 

[BobInThailand]

Oops I forgot this one only because my wife loves this watch and has highjacked it

 

[mikeyt_53]

Yes, the OP's first comments were aimed at the larger well-known Japanese watch makers. If you start including all of the micro-niche brands that most people have never heard (but may be very good quality) then this somewhat dead thread will become a mess....

 

[Mattaphysics]

Ricoh was also kind of well known. I've seen them as sponsors for some sports events... I honestly can't remember where or what sport but they did. I'm pretty sure they're another arm of Seiko but don't quote me on that. These were like 70's/80's I think. That's what it seems to me... Wikipedia will know

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

 

[mikeyt_53]

Ricoh started making watches in 1957 and are a division of the Ricoh Co. Ltd. which i believe is now known as Ricoh Elemex Ltd. I haven't seen any connection to Seiko with the exception of both being 'made in Japan'.

 

[Ude Tokei]

Hajime Asaoka makes two lines of watches one under his name and two under Chrono Tokyo and Kurono... View attachment 231578

Interesting...both are apparently presented as chronometers; クロノ = Kurono = Chrono. Thanks for posting those.