Seiko Spirit Watches

Seiko Spirit Introduction

The Seiko Spirit collection is one of Seiko’s midrange lines produced for the Japanese domestic market (JDM). The style, quality and affordability combine to make Spirit a collector favorite. This is especially true since the line is not heavily promoted, difficult to catalog and uncommon in the United States.

Seiko JDM Watches 

Seiko produces a great variety of watches for the Japanese domestic market. For many years, most of Seiko’s production output was consumed in Japan with very little designed for export. In the late 1950s, under the leadership of Genzō Hattori, Seiko began broadening its perspective after recognizing the opportunity in selling globally. The 1964 Tokyo Olympics was a milestone moment in the company’s expansion as its timers and stopwatches were used to time all the events. The visibility was an important catalyst for transforming Seiko into a global brand. Nonetheless, Seiko continued producing watches that were designed to meet the specific needs and preferences of Japanese consumers.

Seiko JDM watches are not intended for export and frequently differ in size, components and materials from those that are marketed outside of Japan. The quality is often higher than export models since domestic standards in Japan are more stringent than in other markets. Compared with export models, JDM watches may have smaller cases and bracelets, upgraded movements, greater attention to detail, and better polish and finishing. Since they are not marketed outside of Japan, it can be difficult to learn about and purchase JDM variants. There is also a certain exclusivity in owning a Seiko JDM since the overwhelming majority of these pieces never leave Japan. This makes them a worthy target for collectors hunting for watches that cannot be easily found. 

Popular Seiko Spirit Models

Seiko Spirit watches are much more than ordinary “cash-grab” fashion watches. Each watch is built with high-quality in-house components and finished to a level far superior to other watches priced significantly higher. Here are some of the most popular models:

• The Seiko Spirit Reference SARB033 is at the top of many must-have lists and is frequently identified by collectors as the watch that initially attracted them to Seiko. The steel automatic is typically fitted with a chunky bracelet, though the watch also looks great with a strap. The case measures 38mm by 11mm thick and is water resistant to 100 meters. The SARB is timelessly elegant with a Rolex Explorer feel that sits between a dress and sports watch. It is loaded with a 23-jewel Caliber 6R15 movement with hacking, a 50-hour power reserve, manual wind and quickset date. Available in black or white, the dial features a date window at 3 o’clock and LumiBrite applied markers and sword hands. There is a double marker at 12 o’clock, which is appropriate for a watch that is often referred to as the Baby Grand Seiko since the double marker is one element of Grand Seiko’s Grammar of Design rules.
• The Alpinist Reference SARB017 is instantly recognizable by the green dial and cathedral hands. The Alpinist has a long history in the Seiko catalog dating back to 1959. The Spirit version was manufactured around 2018 and is specced with the same components as the Baby GS. Arabic numbers mark the even hours. It features a rotating compass inner bezel and has a screw-down crown for 200-meter water resistance. The rugged Alpinist is easy to wear and comfortable for mountaineering or diving.
• Seiko Spirit smart watches include several watches with a few standouts. One is the Dot series of eight automatic watches, each with a different colored dot in the top left quadrant of the dial. The dot evokes an image of the Japanese rising sun, especially on the red Reference SCVE003. Also in the collection is the quartz SCEB003 retro chronograph. This watch features a pale blue full-lume dial, date at 9 o’clock and applied steel hour markers that appear as negative space in the dark. The Seiko Japan Edition xGiugiaro Reference SCED043 “Ripley” Aliens is a black coated steel three-register chronograph with the pushers placed on the top and bottom of an extension on the right side of the case. The Ripley Alien is unusual as is another Giugiaro collab, the SCED053 with a five-degree offset on the dial that makes it easy to read while riding a motorcycle.   
• The digital Seiko Spirit Radio Wave Control solar watches provide world timer functionality in a rectangular case that is worn horizontally. Seiko also produced the Final Fantasy Spirits Within digital watch. Even though “Spirit” is contained in the model name, this vertically oriented rectangular watch is not actually a Seiko Spirit. 
• The Seiko Spirit BTR013 Chronograph is a classic three-register quartz chronograph in steel.

Seiko Spirit Value and Collectibility

Seiko Spirit watches are affordable, well-built JDM watches that collectors grab quickly. Prices on the resale market in the United States are often higher than original retail prices in Japan. This is not surprising given the scarcity of products and the difficulties associated with exporting from Japan. Expect to pay less than $300 for many of the basic Spirit models and the chronographs in new and used condition. The Giugiaro Spirit Smart Aliens collabs are highly collectable and tend to sell in the $500-$700 range. It is not unusual for Dot series watches (Reference SCVExxx) to sell for roughly $900 as collectors scoop them up to build a full set. The classic SARB033, which is discontinued, often commands more than $1,000 in new, pristine condition, but fear not as preowned models can be found for $500 or less.

When buying a JDM Seiko, it is important to extensively research the specific model and the seller, especially if the watch is being shipped directly from Japan. As counterfeiters have gotten more sophisticated, they can create watches that look authentic. Beware of any Seiko Spirit listings with prices that seem too low relative to verifiable authentic watches.