Hands-On – Seiko Presage SSA303J1, a Value-Prop that screams quality

At Seiko, the range of watches goes from extremely affordable options to ultra-high-end (really ultra) timepieces for the most meticulous collectors. Seiko Watches includes collections such as Seiko 5, Prospex, Grand Seiko or Credor. This year,  the brand expanded one of its sub-collection, Presage, entirely dedicated to mechanical marvel and heritage. And while previously only reserved to Japan, it will now be offered to all markets. After we had an in-depth look at that star of this new collection, the Presage 60th Anniversary Chronograph, it’s time to now to focus on the rest of the range, including this Seiko Presage SSA303J1 we’ll show you today, a value proposition, with mechanical movement, which screams quality.

8 years ago

GIVE AWAY – Win a Seiko Presage SSA303J1 Wrist Watch

Here’s the next give-away, and it’s the third time we’re giving away a wrist watch. The watch that you can win is the from the new Seiko Presage collection, and to be precise it’s the Seiko Presage SSA303J1. This week I’m in Japan, visiting several Seiko manufactures where I’m learning more about the Seiko brand, the different collections, their way of manufacturing and technical aspects of… well, of so much actually. Over the coming weeks I will tell you much more about what I’ve learned and seen, however let’s first focus on the watch that you can win!

8 years ago

7 Real Watch Ambassadors

Watch Ambassadors Only yesterday, during a press event from a watch brand, the topic of ‘watch ambassadors’ and ‘red carpet brands’ was being discussed with a colleague watch journalist. Here on Fratello, we touched the subject before (click here for my rant on watch brand ambassadors) so there is no need to do that again. Instead, […]

8 years ago

Why I Bought It: Vintage JDM Seiko 7002 Diver (Plus A Same-Vintage Honda Beat)

As I have covered the world of watches, another of my dormant passions has been reignited. That passion is automobiles. Watches and cars go together, so it is no surprise that I have a strong interest in fast things with powerful motors. This is the story of how I ended up with both a 1991 Honda Beat and a 1991 Seiko 7002 Diver. And I’m still smiling!

8 years ago

Top 10 Seiko Watches – Overview of Models Favored By Our Readers

Seiko Watches Needless to say that we are a fan of Seiko watches here on Fratello. Not only did Michael Stockton convert me to the Japanese side of watchmaking when he joined Fratello Watches and started to write about those vintage Seiko beauties and Grand Seiko watches, the trip to Japan last year to see […]

8 years ago

Introducing – 3 new Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT, including one limited edition (Ref. SBGJ021, SBGJ017, SBGJ019)

The Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT is already known from collectors, and praised for its superior quality, its design mixing elegant and casual attitude and its highly technical movement. It is a watch that was already available in both standard editions and in one colorful edition (the SBGJ005, with its green dial and highly decorated rotor). Already at that time, we had two regular watches and one limited. Well, the same scenario is about to happen, with 3 new versions of the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT: 2 elegant regular pieces (SBGJ017 and SBGJ019) and one limited edition with deep red dial and a rotor depicting the sunrise on Mount Iwate (SBGJ021). Overview.

8 years ago