Everything You Need to Know About Seiko's 2022 Watch Lineup (So Far)

By tweaking its 4R series of automatic movements to offer GMT functionality, Seiko changed the entire GMT watch scene. These are now quite possibly the most affordable automatic GMTs on the market — but they also look fantastic, to boot. Based on the solid foundation of the Seiko 5 Sports series that we love, they also incorporate features like bicolor, rotating 24-hour bezels, a cyclops magnifier over the date window and a Jubilee-style bracelet t0 further distinguish them.

Movement: Seiko 4R34 automatic
Diameter: 42.5mm
Water resistance: 50m
Availability: July 2022

If you want a classically styled automatic watch packed with character for not a ton of money, you'll want to at least consider the beloved Seiko "Cocktail Time." Like other models in the series, this new version takes aesthetic cues from specific drinks mixed at the Star Bar in Tokyo. Based on an original cocktail by the bar's owner called the "Houjou," the gold-toned watch's highlight is its frost-like textured dial.

Movement: Seiko 4R35 automatic
Diameter: 40.5mm
Water resistance: 50m
Availability: February 2022, limited edition of 5,500

Seiko first made a special edition watch for Queen guitarist Brian May in 2020. With the same design based on the rocker's handmade guitar, the new version for this year adds a gold case coating, matching dial highlights and an appropriate NATO strap. The Seiko 5 Sports line might generally be the brand's most affordable line, but examples like this show that details (look closely at that dial texture) can elevate these typically affordable watches — the price is elevated, too, bringing it right into the territory of the brand's Presage and Prospex lines. For Seiko and Queen fans, though, there's surely still a lot of value.

Movement: Seiko 4R36 automatic
Diameter: 42.5mm
Water resistance: 100m
Availability: April 2022, limited edition of 12,500

New versions of the ana-digi watches made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger in '80s action movies offer new versions with some case and dial layout changes — and, for the first time, steel bracelets. There are blacked out steel versions and new options on a strap as well, and all are solar powered and as badass as ever.

Movement: Seiko Solar H855
Diameter: 46.9mm
Water resistance: 200m
Availability: July 2022

Combining multiple familiar elements from Seiko's historic dive watches, there's general consensus that the brand really nailed it with its newest retro recreation. It's got elements from the 62MAS and the "Willard," both of which have pretty great modern interpretations, but what's got people most excited about these models: the combination of that classic Seiko diver look and a case measuring 41mm wide and just 12.3mm thick. That makes these new watches (initially available in three versions) the brand's slimmest divers yet.

Movement: Seiko 6R35 automatic
Diameter: 41mm
Water resistance: 200m
Availability: July 2022

Inspired by (or intended for) night diving, Seiko added four limited editions to its Prospex range featuring black case coatings and orange highlights. Three models get the treatment, each representing the brand's "Modern Re-Interpretation" of its 1965 (shown above), 1968 and 1970 dive watches, respectively. Each is limited to 5,500 examples and priced $1,200-$1,300. Also known as the "Willard," the 1970 model rendered in a larger, higher end variation (SLA061) is the fourth, with a movement upgrade, textured dial, limited run of 1,000 examples and a $3,300 price tag.

Movement: Seiko 6R35 automatic; 8L35 automatic (SLA061)
Diameter: 40.5mm; 42mm; 42.7mm; 44mm
Water resistance: 200m
Availability: April 2022

Three models offer an icily textured take on Seiko's Modern Re-Interpretation series of vintage inspired dive watches. Also fitting into the brand's Save the Ocean series (I know, it's a lot of series), each features a dial meant to reference different hues of ice seen on glaciers. The SPB299 shown here is accompanied by the brand's 62MAS reinterpretation in the SPB297 and the modern 6105 dive watch taking the form of the SPB301.

Movement: Seiko 6R35 automatic
Diameter: 40.5mm (SPB297); 42mm (SPB299); 42.7mm (SPB301)
Water resistance: 200m
Availability: June 2022

The watches in Seiko's Presage collection featuring Arita porcelain dials always feel a little special, and this monochromatic new model was introduced alongside the SPB319 with a pale blue dial execution. Arita is a style of porcelain named after the place in Japan where it's produced. Though at the upper ranges of the Presage collection, its interesting features, Seiko's famous build quality and one of the brand's relatively premium automatic movements, the sub-$2,000 price seems pretty reasonable.

Movement: Seiko 6R31 automatic
Diameter: 40.5mm
Water resistance: 100m
Availability: June 2022

Seiko once again delighted, confused and polarized fans, this time with the King Seiko reintroduced as a modern collection. Another sub-brand from the watchmaker's history, King Seiko was created in the 1960s to actually compete with the brand's own higher-end Grand Seiko watches. Based on the vintage "KSK" watch, the new King Seiko watches feel positioned somewhere between Presage and Grand Seiko with retro looks, thin 37mm cases, box-style sapphire crystal and the brand's workhorse automatic movement. They come on steel bracelets in five dial variations.

Movement: Seiko 6R31 automatic
Diameter: 37mm
Water resistance: 100m
Availability: April 2022, not limited

Seiko has made a number of lacquer-dial watches, nodding to the Japanese craft. This model has a deep green hue and it's applied to one of the brand's traditionally styled watches in its Presage collection — but it also features a movement offering the displays of the date, day of the week and power reserve via retrograde scales right on the dial. The density of information lends an otherwise dressy style of watch a more busy and intriguing aesthetic. Gold highlights lend it some warmth.

Movement: Seiko 6R24 automatic
Diameter: 40.5mm
Water resistance: 100m
Availability: July 2022, limited to 2,000 examples

Seiko is emphasizing its historical and current involvement in sports timing (the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon), but we're more excited to see the brand leaning into its chronographs. Seiko (re)introduced its (modern) Speedtimer collection last year, and this limited edition features a cool mix of "sand-patterned" dial texture, sporty yellow highlights and contrasting subdials. We'd like to see something a little more affordable and around 40mm, but it's a good start for Seiko getting back in the automatic chronograph game.

Movement: Seiko 8R46 automatic
Diameter: 42.5mm
Water resistance: 100m
Availability: June 2022, limited edition of 400

There are affordable as well as higher-end versions of Seiko's 1968 Diver's Modern Re-interpretation watches. This is the latter, and it includes features like the brand's famous "zaratsu" polishing and a premium movement which is based on movements typically found in Grand Seiko watches. The SLA051 was introduced alongside the blue-dialed Save the Ocean SLA055 which is limited to 1,300 examples.

Movement: Seiko 8L35 automatic
Diameter: 42.6mm
Water resistance: 200m
Availability: January 2022, limited edition of 600

You can get an excellent sport watches from Seiko at just about any budget, but the LX series is arguably the most serious and n0-compromise option. Grand Seiko dive watches might add a touch more luxe, but that's not necessarily what you need in a tool watch. With a titanium case and Spring Drive movement, this aviation-themed watch features a GMT complication and aesthetic cues meant to reference the lunar surface.

Movement: Seiko Spring Drive 5R66 automatic
Diameter: 44.8mm
Water resistance: 100m
Availability: January 2022