Citizen vs Seiko. The Turtle Models and Seiko Sumo by Perspex are both attractive dive watches that are difficult to choose between. Sure, there are some significant changes in size, style, and shape. The truth is, however, in the details of both brands.
In this article, I’m going to emphasize the Citizen and Seiko brand, while answering crucial questions about both brands.
Who Makes Citizen Watches?
Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. (Shichizun tokei Kabushiki-Kaisha) is, in itself, a Japanese electronics company best known for its watches. It is headquartered in Nishitokyo, Tokyo.
It is the parent firm of American watchmaker Bulova, as well as a manufacturer of tiny devices such as calculators.
Japanese and Swiss businessmen co-founded the corporation in 1930. It acquired the Shokosha Watch Research Facility (established in 1918) as well as some of the facilities of the Swiss watch designer Rodolphe Schmid’s assembly business in Yokohama, which he created in 1912.
Schmid trademarked the Citizen brand for watches he marketed in Japan in Switzerland in 1918. In the 1920s, Count Got Shinpei encouraged the establishment of this brand in the hopes of making timepieces more accessible to the general population.
Until World War II, Citizen’s expansion was based on Swiss technological transfer.
Who Makes Seiko Watches?
Seiko Holdings Corporation (Seik Hrudingusu Kabushiki-Kaisha) is a Japanese wristwatch, clock, electronic device, semiconductor, jewelry, and optical product manufacturer. It was founded in 1881 and is credited with developing one of the first quartz wristwatches and also the first quartz wristwatch with a Chrono function.
Kintar Hattori founded Seiko in 1881 when he launched a watch and accessories shop in Tokyo called “K. Hattori.”
Kintar Hattori had been a watchmaker assistant ever since the age of 13, working in places like “Kobayashi Clock Shop,” which was run by a professional technician titled “ Seijiro Sakurai, “Kameda Clock Shop” in Nihonbashi, and “Sakata Clock Shop” in Ueno, where he discovered how to both advertise and fix wristwatches.
A new era of Japanese-made clocks and timepieces began in 1881. Innovators in Nagoya and Tokyo studied and produced Western-style pocket watches.
All imported watches had to be purchased by Japanese wholesalers from international trading companies in Kobe and other cities in Japan.
Mr. Hattori began working directly with these international trading businesses in the Yokohama colony in 1885, focusing on the wholesale and retail distribution of western (imported) clocks and machinery.
Kintar Hattori had a tight relationship with several international trading organizations throughout the years, including F. Perregaux, Favre-Brandt, Zanussi, and Siber, which allowed him to secure special imported watches and machinery that no one else had at the time.
Citizen vs Seiko Watches – Which One is Better?
Talking about whose brand is better, we’re going to use their watches as a case study.
1. Overall Performance of Citizen Watches
Citizens’ main movement is centered on their Eco-Drive technology. Light can be produced from any source using this technology.
The battery is charged regardless of whether it is ambient, artificial, or even faint lighting. A full charging also entails 5-12 months of activity in complete darkness.
Aside from that, its HAQ (High-Accuracy Quartz) innovation is the industry standard and the next best thing. The time accuracy of Citizen watches equipped with this technology is typically five seconds annually.
It’s one of the most impressive watches in the manufacturing industry.
2. Overall Performance of Seiko Watches
Seiko has created a wide range of movements throughout the years. Unlike the majority of its competitors, the watchmaker refuses to be bound by Swiss tradition or even a misunderstanding of what should be.
The Citizen is a lower-tiered iPhone, similar to the Samsung of the industry (at least when compared to Rolex).
Quartz, automated, solar, dynamic, and spring mechanisms have all been used to create their timepieces. In the context of the 9F Quartz, their quartz movements comprise both standard and high-precision kinds.
In terms of automatic movements, you’ll find some that can compete with the greatest in the industry. With a battery reserve of up to 72 hours, the Grand Seiko is a standout with 6 months of usage on a full charge for solar watches
According to the emphasis above, we could duly note that Citizen watches possess better time accuracy, whilst Seiko watches possess better battery reserves.
So they’re both outstanding in their performing categories.
Citizen vs Seiko Quality
Citizen timepieces strike a good mix between price and quality. The timepieces are made using high-grade materials and have strict quality control.
Few watch brands are as vertically integrated as Citizen, which means they have complete control over all aspects of their production.
Seiko on the other hand is unquestionably one of the best watch brands available. At the very least, good-grade timepieces are composed of titanium or pure steel.
The Seiko watch series is available in both metals, each with its own set of benefits.
Citizen vs Seiko Dive Watches
1. Design and Style
When you look at Citizen and Seiko dive timepieces side by side, you’ll notice that they seem very similar. However, if you look closely at their divers, you’ll notice the variances.
Seiko divers, on the whole, have an appearance that is more akin to traditional dive watches. The Seiko Men’s SKX009K2, for example, is designed in the same style as the iconic Submariner.
Many of their diving watches have a vintage look and feel to them, but they never look dated.
2. Durability and Construction
Citizen versus Seiko dive watches can surely go toe-to-toe in terms of construction and durability. Citizen uses mineral crystals for its crystals, whereas Seiko uses its trademarked Hardlex crystals.
Although both stones are quite impact-resistant, I’ve discovered that they are both quickly scratched.
Both diving watch brands do not use valuable materials (gold, platinum, etc.) in the production of their watches. The majority of both companies’ diving watches are made of stainless steel, which isn’t a problem.
If you’re looking for a timepiece with precious metals, the Seiko Grand range is a good option.
Citizen vs Seiko Automatic Watches
Seiko’s automatic watches are not only one of the most affordable automatics on the market; it also features Seiko’s 7S26 in-house movement. This movement is praised by horological specialists for its dependability and low price – it is rare to find a better one.
On the other hand, Citizen’s automatic timepieces provide an outstanding mix between price and quality. The timepieces are made with high-grade materials and have excellent quality control.
Only a few watch brands, such as Citizen, are completely vertically integrated, meaning they have complete control over every step of their watch production.
Seiko Solar vs Citizen Eco-Drive
Seiko solar offers significant benefits of movements in accuracy over lengthy amounts of time, for a specialized purpose, such as diving. They make ideal second timepieces.
On the other hand, Citizen eco drive turns any type of illumination into energy for use in a watch and reserves the excess in a power cell. An Eco-Drive watch may function for months on a single charge, even in the dark, without the necessity for regular battery change.
Citizen Nighthawk vs Seiko Flightmaster
The Citizens Nighthawk is a dark ion-plated metal timepiece featuring a 1/5-second Chrono that covers up to 60 minutes, a tachymeter, a screw-back casing, and a safety wrap clasp with the start button. It’s certainly a winner if you seek a masterpiece in design.
On the other hand, Seiko’s flight master is a fantastic option for people seeking a low-cost quartz flying chronograph. The mechanical uniqueness of the slide-rule bezels is enjoyable to experiment with and master, even if most users will adhere to the regular chronograph and alarm capabilities.
Seiko Astron vs Citizen Satellite Wave
The Seiko Astron is the best timepiece of its kind since it identifies all 39 time zones on the planet. Once a day, it tries to connect to a GPS signal automatically.
This function is triggered by sunlight or a bright light source. It also has a DTS function that the wearer must manually activate.
On the other hand, Citizen satellite waves automatically adjust time and date by capturing position info and a time feed from GPS satellites traveling in space. As far as there is a clear sky above you, your GPS wristwatch will indicate the exact time anywhere you are on Earth.
A time signal can be received in as short as 3 seconds by Satellite Waves.
Grand Seiko vs Citizen Chronomaster
Grand Seiko Spring Drive is twice as accurate as the finest Rolex Superlative Chronograph, more accurate than a METAS approved Master Chronograph, and many times more precise than a COSC approved Chronometer, with a precision of +/- 1 second every day.
On the other hand, the Citizen chronometer is equipped with a then-top-of-the-line thermo-compensated quartz motion (temperature fluctuations being the enemy of quartz precision) and was classified at 100 meters. Making it one of the most accurate watches worldwide.
Conclusion
Citizen watches can be your best pick if you don’t mind quartz timepieces and the added accuracy they provide. Seiko watches, on the other hand, should be your first choice if you appreciate the legacy of mechanical watches at a reasonable price. It will be a win in either case.
