Top 10 Best Seiko Chronograph Watches
Seiko is one of the most popular affordable watch brands in the world. And for many good reasons. Not only does Seiko have a long and rich history of making watches, but it has also established a loyal cult following of fans and enthusiasts with its unique and high-quality products.
Over the years, Seiko has become responsible for a number of innovations in the watch world and built its own strong image and collection of iconic timepieces. Seiko watches are known to offer exceptional value for money with a combination of quality, craftsmanship, and style. In addition, Seiko has a large collection of timepieces in all kinds of designs, shapes, and forms. With that said, anyone will be able to find a Seiko watch that suits their tastes and preferences.
In the watch world, the chronograph is one of the most iconic and popular types of watches out there. Chronographs have a sporty appeal to them and an instantly recognizable appearance. For some, it may be a practical tool to measure time, for others, it’s just a nice design.
If you want a high-quality and stylish watch that offers great value for money, Seiko is a brand worth considering. If you, in turn also want a Seiko watch, these things can be combined.
In this article, we are therefore looking closer at the best Seiko Chronographs. These are some of the most popular and recognized Seiko watches available right now. The topic of ”best” is always tricky as it all depends on what factors you look at, so we are therefore focusing on the Seiko chronographs that are most popular.
But before we dig in, let’s look a bit closer at the history of Seiko.
History of Seiko
Seiko was founded in 1881 when 21-year-old Japanese Kintaro Hattori opened a shop where he started selling and repairing watches and clocks in central Tokyo. In 1892, he founded the Seikosha factory, which, as the name reveals, came to be the start of Seiko.
The name Seikosha comes from the Japanese ”Seiko” which means “exquisite”, “minute” or “success” and “sha” which means house). It was this factory that started it all and where Seiko was born.
Today, Seiko makes a ton of different products such as electronic devices, optical products, jewelry, clocks, and of course watches, which is what Seiko is most known for.
Seiko is responsible for a number of innovations including the world’s first quartz watch with a chronograph complication.
In addition, Seiko built the world’s first production quartz watch in 1969, the Seiko Astron.
Best Seiko Chronograph Watches
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Seiko Pilot SNA411 Watch Alarm Chronograph
The Seiko Alarm Chronograph is an affordable and sporty chronograph watch that is also one of Seiko’s most popular watches.
It has a 42mm stainless steel case with a Hardlex crystal on top. The water resistance is 200m/660 feet. This watch is designed as a pilot-inspired watch and has a gear-edged bezel with a black dial that has a lot going on. This watch has lots of useful functions including an alarm. Some may find it a bit too busy, but if you want a sporty timepiece with lots of functions, this is definitely a great choice.
Its water resistance makes it suitable for diving and swimming and is built to handle any challenges you subject it to.
Specifications
- Diameter: 42mm
- Water-resistance: 200m/660 feet
- Crystal: Hardlex
Seiko SNN241 Classic Chronograph
The Seiko SNN241 is a sleek and elegant chronograph that is suitable for most occasions. It is presented with a stainless steel case with a distinct style and a diameter of 42.6mm. On top of the case, it has a Hardlex crystal.
Thanks to its elegant brown dial and leather strap, it is a versatile timepiece that combines sportiness and class, making it perfect for everyday wear. The watch is water-resistant to 100m/330 feet, making it suitable for swimming, although, with the leather strap, you probably shouldn’t take it swimming anyway.
In addition to the chronograph function, it also has a date window at 6 o’clock which is a nice, convenient touch. The dial has large white markers and hands which provide excellent contrast against the background and ensure perfect legibility.
Specifications
- Water-resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Diameter: 42mm
- Thickness: 11mm
Seiko SSC143 Stainless Solar Chronograph
The Seiko SSC143 is a unique chronograph with a very masculine and distinct style. It has a bulky case and bracelet with a black Ion finish. This is further made sportier with the chronograph function.
The case measures 42.5mm in diameter and due to its case construction and design, it is perceived as bulkier as well. It is powered by a Japanese quartz movement with a 6-month power reserve and analog display. In addition, the watch has a 12-hour alarm and dual-time capability. For convenience, it uses Seiko’s solar power system which charges the battery via solar and ambient light. This means that you won’t have to replace its batteries.
The water resistance is 100m/330 feet which means that you can take it swimming.
Specifications
- Water-resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Diameter: 42.5mm
- Power reserve: 60 months
Seiko SNDC33 Classic Black Chronograph
The Seiko SNDC33 chronograph is a casual and elegant watch that is perfect for everyday wear. It has a sleek stainless steel case with a diameter of 40mm and is presented on an elegant leather strap, paired with a black dial. On top of the case sits a Hardlex crystal.
The dial has large white Arabic numerals and large hands which ensure perfect legibility. It also has a date window positioned at 3 o’clock.
It is water-resistant to 100m/330 ft.
Specifications
- Diameter: 40mm
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Water-resistance: 100m/330 feet
Seiko Prospex Diver’s 200m Special Edition Chronograph Solar SSC741P1
If you are looking for a dive watch but also want a chronograph, the Seiko Prospex Diver’s 200m Special Edition Chronograph Solar Sports SSC741P1 is the answer to your prayers. It has a bulky and robust stainless steel case with a diameter of 43.5mm and a thickness of 13.8mm. With that said, it is unexpectedly a rather large watch that is most suitable for individuals with relatively large wrists or for those who prefer large watches.
It is water-resistant to 200m/660 feet, meaning it is suitable forth swimming and diving. On top of the case sits a Hardlex crystal.
What makes this watch stand out is its blue and black aluminum bezel paired with a blue dial with a wave pattern. The dial has lots of beautiful details which enhance its appearance and also show that Seiko has paid attention to the details.
The watch uses a solar movement, which means it is solar-powered as well, which is a nice additional detail.
Specifications
- Diameter: 43.5mm
- Thickness: 13.8mm
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Water-resistance: 200m/660 feet
Seiko Chronograph SSB367
The Seiko SSB367 is a sporty chronograph with a bit of a racing-inspired design. It has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 45mm and a thin stainless steel Tachymeter bezel.
The chronograph measures up to 60 minutes of elapsed time in 1/5-second increments. The water resistance of 100m/330 feet means that you can swim with it, but it is not suitable for diving.
All in all, this is a great everyday watch with a sporty appearance and racing-inspired details like the applied metal Arabic numerals, and brushed steel finish.
Specifications
- Diameter: 45m
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Water-resistance: 100m/330 feet
Seiko Quartz Chronograph SSB297P1
The Seiko SSB297P1 is a robust stainless steel chronograph with a diameter of 44mm and is presented on a stainless steel bracelet which goes well together with the case design. The watch offers a water resistance of 100m/330 feet and is powered by a quartz 8T63 movement. On top of the case sits a Hardlex crystal.
The watch has a nice dial which is painted white. This is a nice contrast if you want a watch without a black dial, which most watches tend to have. A nice touch that adds to the sporty appearance of this watch is its stainless steel bezel with a brushed finish and tachymeter scale.
All in all, this is a sporty and versatile timepiece that works perfectly for everyday wear but can also handle harsh conditions.
Specifications
- Water-resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Diameter: 44mm
- Thickness: 13mm
- Movement: 8T63
- Crystal: Hardlex
Seiko SNDC31 Classic Chronograph
If you want a chronograph that is classy, traditional, and elegant, the SNDC31 is the answer to all your prayers.
The watch has a classic stainless steel case size with a diameter of 40mm. It has a hardly crystal on top and is water-resistant to 100m/330feet. To go with the classic theme, it has a cream-colored dial and is presented on a brown leather strap. The dial is beautifully decorated with black Arabic numerals and a date window positioned at 3 o’clock.
The watch is water-resistant to 100m/330 feet, but it’s not necessarily the type of watch you’d go swimming with anyway.
All in all, this is a great versatile dress watch that works for lots of different occasions, both formal and casual.
Specifications
- Diameter: 40mm
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Water-resistance: 100m/330 feet
Seiko Quartz Chronograph SSC446
The Seiko Chronograph SSC446 is a funky and cool chronograph with a combination of gold and steel elements. It is presented with a stainless steel case and gold accents. The case measures 43.5mm in diameter.
It is powered by a Japanese quartz movement and has a power reserve of 6 months when fully charged. The watch is water-resistant to 100m/330 feet. It has a cream-colored dial with black sub-dials and a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock for convenience.
With its gold details, it becomes a bit more elegant, but at the same time, it has a sporty chronograph design and a relatively robust and sporty case. In other words, it is a watch that will work perfectly for everyday wear.
Specifications
- Water-resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Diameter: 43.5mm
- Power-reserve: 6 months when fully charged
Seiko Titanium Quartz chronograph SSB315P1
Last but not least, the Seiko SSB315P1 is a sporty and motor-inspired chronograph that is perfect for motor fans and for those who want something cool and sporty. The watch is presented with a 42mm case which is black-plated treated which gives it a black, sporty look. In addition to this, it has a black carbon fiber dial with discreet red accents and a tachymeter scale for the rehaut. On top of the case sits a scratch-resistant Hardlex case. A nice detail about this case is that it is made of titanium, which obviously does a lot for the weight of this timepiece.
The watch has a water resistance of 100m/330 feet.
The SSB315P1 is sure to stand out amongst the crowd with its all-black, sporty appearance.
Specifications
- Diameter: 42mm
- Thickness: 14mm
- Water-resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Crystal: Hardlex
Seiko Chronograph buyer’s guide
As when buying any watch, there are a few things you want to take into consideration in order to find the perfect watch for your needs, taste, and preferences.
As you have seen in the list above, Seiko has a chronograph in all kinds of different designs and for all kinds of different purposes. Here are some things to consider.
Movement
As you have seen, different Seiko chronographs come with different movements. Most of Seiko’s chronographs are powered by quartz movements due to the fact that mechanical Chronograph movements are quite complex to make and thus make the watch more expensive – which is generally not what Seiko is trying to achieve. With that said, most affordable chronographs have quartz movement. But there are some automatic Seiko chronographs that you can choose from if you prefer, although more expensive.
Furthermore, when it comes to the quartz movements, you’ve also seen that Seiko incorporates solar technology in some of them. This is a practical and convenient feature that you may find really appealing. The benefit of a solar watch is that you don’t have to replace its batteries. Instead, they are charged by solar and ambient light.
Style and design
As you have seen in the list above, Seiko has chronographs in all kinds of different styles and with many different designs. Elegant chronographs, classic chronographs, sporty chronographs, and so on. Therefore, it’s appropriate to consider how you intend to wear your watch and on which occasions you will wear it. This will ultimately dictate the type of watch you need and which type is most appropriate for the occasion.
For example, if you plan on going swimming and diving, you need a watch with decent water resistance that is suitable for diving. In this case, you may want to opt for the SSC741P1 which has a water resistance of 200m and is appropriate for swimming and diving. On the same note, if you want something versatile yet stylish that you can wear on virtually any occasion and with any outfit, a watch like the SSB297P1 could be an appropriate pick.
Water resistance
It’s self-explanatory, but if you intend to go swimming and diving with your Seiko chronograph, you naturally need a watch that is water-resistant. As you can see above, the watches vary a lot when it comes to water resistance, which is why you want to look closer at this specification.
If you plan to go swimming, it is advised that you have a watch that is water-resistant to at least 100m.
Bracelet or strap?
The strap of the watch will normally be chosen depending on the style of the watch. In other words, if you opt for an elegant Seiko chronograph, you’ll likely find it presented on a leather strap. On the opposite, if you are looking at a sporty dive watch, you will likely find that it is presented on a metal strap. Consider which strap option you prefer and choose the watch accordingly. But remember that on most watches, you can also change to a strap if you want.
Are Seiko chronographs good?
Yes, absolutely! Seiko is known for making high-quality, robust, and reliable affordable timepieces that offer great value for money, and naturally, this also goes for their chronograph watches. An important reason for the brand’s great popularity is the fact that you get exceptional performance at a very reasonable price, and this doesn’t change just because you opt for a chronograph. This goes for its whole product line.
If you’re looking for an affordable chronograph, there are actually few brands that can compete with Seiko.
What tachymeter means?
On some of the Seiko watches, you may have seen that the bezel or the outer edge of the dial has a “tachymeter” scale. What does this mean? A tachymeter is a scale that is used together with the chronograph function to measure the average speed at which the watch’s wearer travels over a fixed period of time. It was originally introduced for racing so that racing drivers could start their chronograph when starting a race over a certain distance, and then stop the chronograph when they have reached the goal. That way, they could use the chronograph to calculate the average speed at which they were driving.
Naturally, there are far more advanced tools at our disposal today to measure the average speed, but the tachymeter scale is a feature that lives on in many chronograph watches.
Are there automatic chronographs?
Yes absolutely! Most luxury and more expensive chronographs are automatic, but since Seiko is primarily focusing on making affordable watches, most of Seiko’s chronograph watches are not automatic. With that said, Seiko does make automatic chronographs although they are few compared to its quartz chronographs and are naturally also more expensive. One of the first automatic chronographs was released by Rolex with the Rolex Daytona reference 16520.
As an interesting side note, Seiko is actually responsible for making the world’s first automatic chronograph with a column wheel and vertical clutch in 1969 with the release of Caliber 6139. The world’s first automatic chronograph, nicknamed Chronomatic is considered to be the world’s first automatic chronograph, released on 3 March 1969 and was developed by a joint venture of Heuer, Breitling, Buren, and Dubois-Depraz.
Why buy a Seiko chronograph?
The chronograph is one of the most popular and iconic types of watches that you can buy today. With that said, there are plenty of good reasons for buying a chronograph.
The most important reasons include:
- A distinct design. This is perhaps the most important reason why people opt for buying a chronograph. With its push buttons and sub-seconds on the dial, chronograph watches achieve a distinct look and design. The chronograph design is distinct and iconic and has been around in watches for a long time. Most people buy a chronograph simply because they enjoy the classic yet sporty look that chronograph watches have.
- Ability to measure time. Whilst a lot of people do not actually use their chronograph function, a lot of people do. After all, the chronograph function is intended to be used, and if you actually need to measure time, you can easily and conveniently use your watch to time different things using the chronograph. There are many situations in your everyday life where it can be practical to measure the time, for example when cooking an egg or timing a speech.
- Ability to measure the average speed (in some cases). Obviously, most people don’t actually need this feature but if you are all about racing, the tachymeter scale can actually come in handy if you don’t have access to any other tools to do this. This will give you the average speed at which you were traveling which is always interesting to know in racing.
