Seiko Premier – Quartz Watches with Innovative Technology
The Seiko Premier collection offers dress watches with a classic design. In addition to mechanical automatic calibers, the Japanese manufacturer uses quartz movements that it refines with kinetic and solar technologies.
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Modern Technology in a Classic Guise
In the Premier collection, the Japanese watch manufacturer Seiko brings together a series of dress watches, many of which are equipped with state-of-the-art caliber technology. Along with mechanical automatic calibers, solar-powered quartz movements and movements with Seiko's proprietary Kinetic Technology are also used. The latter combines the advantages of automatic calibers with the precision of quartz movements.
Seiko equips many of the watches in the Premier series with additional complications. These include a perpetual calendar, a moon phase display, an alarm function, and a chronograph.
The design of the watches ranges from the classic and elegant to the sporty. Seiko makes the cases out of stainless steel, with some models having a black or rose gold-colored DLC coating. Premier watches range in diameter from 28 to 43 mm, making them suitable for wrists of all sizes.
Reasons to Buy a Seiko Premier
- Quartz, solar, kinetic, or automatic caliber
- Dress watches from classic to sporty
- Special edition model for tennis star Novak Djokovic
- Watches in a variety of sizes
Seiko Premier Prices
Premier model, reference | Price (approx.) | Caliber, features |
Kinetic Direct Drive Moonphase, SRX017P1 | 910 USD | Kinetic Direct Drive 5D88, moon phase, date, power reserve indicator |
Kinetic Perpetual Novak Djokovic, SNP146P1 | 620 USD | Kinetic Perpetual 7D56, perpetual calendar, 24-hour display |
Automatic Open Heart, SSA399J1 | 480 USD | Automatic 4R71, skeletonized dial |
Solar, SUT321P1 | 360 USD | Solar caliber V137, date |
Quartz, SXB429P1 | 360 USD | Quartz caliber 7N89, date |
How much does a Seiko Premier cost?
Prices for a Seiko Premier range from around 280 USD to approximately 950 USD. The entry-level segment consists of three-hand watches with a simple quartz movement. Prices for watches with a solar-powered caliber start at around 360 USD.
A three-hand model with a Kinetic Drive will set you back about 440 USD. If you’d prefer a Kinetic watch with a moon phase display or perpetual calendar, you should expect to spend at least 620 USD.
A Seiko Premier with a mechanical movement demands an investment of about 480 USD.
About the Seiko Premier
Seiko has redesigned the Premier collection watches several times over the years. The look evolved from decidedly classic to sporty and elegant. Many older models have round cases and narrow lugs. At times, rectangular-shaped watches were also part of the range. Timepieces in the current Seiko Premier collection are round. The lugs, however, appear to be much more massive and curved. A strong crown guard now surrounds the crown.
Regardless of the case design, one aspect remains constant (with a few notable exceptions): Roman numerals on the dial and traditional dauphine or lancette hands.
Seiko Premier Kinetic Perpetual With Perpetual Calendar
The Seiko Premier Kinetic Perpetual is the most feature-rich watch in the Premier line. The timepiece features a perpetual calendar with a large date, as well as a display for the month and leap year. And with a 24-hour display, you can always tell whether it’s day or night.
Current models are powered by the Kinetic caliber 7D56, the successor to the 7D48 found in older versions of the Premier Kinetic Perpetual. You can recognize these watches by the leap year display at 9 o’clock. On current models, this is integrated into the month display at 6.
Seiko also released two special editions of the Premier Kinetic Perpetual in honor of tennis star Novak Djokovic. These timepieces are technically identical to the other models in the line, but have either a red gold plating (ref. SNP146) or a black DLC coating (ref. SNP145).
Seiko Premier Kinetic Direct Drive Moon Phase Display
The Seiko Premier Kinetic Direct Drive line offers watches with a moon phase display. The display is located at 12 o’clock and is complemented by a date hand at 3, a combined weekday and 24-hour display at 6, and a power-reserve indicator at 9. When fully charged, the Kinetic caliber 5D88 inside boasts a 30-day power reserve.
While the dial design has remained virtually unchanged over the years, the case of the Premier Kinetic Direct Drive has been redesigned several times. Older models measure 41 mm in diameter and have narrow, faceted lugs. Current models are 42.5 mm in diameter, and the lugs now have the massive, curved shape that is characteristic of the line.
If you don’t necessarily need a moon phase display, take a look at the three-hand version of the Premier Kinetic Direct Drive. Along with the time, this 41-mm watch features a date window at 3 o'clock and a power reserve indicator at 9.
The Seiko Premier Solar – Harnessing the Power of Light
As the name suggests, Seiko's Premier Solar collection uses solar cells to harvest energy from ambient light. It doesn’t matter whether it’s natural sunlight or artificial light.
In addition to simple three-hand watches, the Premier Solar line includes several models with additional complications. One example of the latter is ref. SPP001J1, which Seiko equips with a world time function. If, however, you’d prefer a chronograph, check out the ref. SSC595P1.
Seiko Premier With An Automatic Caliber
You can find watches with automatic calibers in the Seiko Premier collection. Most of these timepieces are simple three-hand watches like ref. SRPA17J1. These watches are powered by the reliable 4R35 manufacture caliber.
Alternatively, you can opt for a partially skeletonized “Open Heart” models. These versions have a dial cutout at 9 o'clock, revealing the underlying balance wheel. The standard movement here is the caliber 4R71.
How Seiko’s Kinetic Tech Works
Quartz watches require energy to function. This is provided by batteries. The problem is that batteries have a finite life – when they run out, they need to be replaced. This is not only a hassle, but also a burden on the environment. It was for this reason that Seiko’s developed its Kinetic technology back in 1986. The principle is simple: as with mechanical automatic calibers, a rotor is set in motion inside the watch. Unlike an automatic movement, however, the Kinetic does not wind a spring, but generates electrical energy that is stored in a rechargeable battery. This means that as long as the watch is moving, it is constantly being recharged, and the quartz movement receives the energy it needs to function.
Seiko went a step further with the Kinetic Direct Drive. Watches with this technology can also be powered by turning the crown. So, you can “wind” the watch, as it were. The energy generated is then displayed on the power reserve indicator.
More modern Kinetic watches also have a “quick start” function. This can be used to restart a watch that has stopped with only a few movements.
FAQs
Is the Seiko Premier water-resistant?
The watches in the Seiko Premier collection are water-resistant to varying degrees, depending on the model. While older three-hand models are often only splash-proof (30 m, or 98 ft), watches in the current collection are water-resistant up to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft) and are therefore suitable for swimming.
What kind of materials are used in the Seiko Premier?
The case of the Seiko Premier is made of stainless steel, with a black or gold-colored coating on some models. Various models are available with a stainless steel bracelet or a leather or rubber strap.