High-tech and unique design: 5 new watches released by Japanese brands in 2025

This time, we'll focus on the 2025 models being released by Japanese watch brands that have garnered global acclaim for their advanced technical capabilities. Japanese brands are diverse, including Grand Seiko, which excels in both mechanical and quartz watches, Citizen, which excels in solar-powered technology, Casio, which specializes in multifunctional, high-performance models, and Orient, whose unique design code is loved by fans. Also worth keeping an eye on are microbrands like Otsuka Low-Tech, which, despite its small size, is garnering attention from around the world.

Let's take a look at attractive Japanese brands

　The theme of this issue's special feature is "Japanese Brands." In the Japanese watch market, Seikosha released the first domestically produced wristwatch, the Laurel, in 1913. From the 1950s onward, many other brands, including Seiko, Citizen, and Orient, dominated the market, and the technological advances of each company were remarkable. When quartz watches became practical, Casio joined this group in 1974 by starting to manufacture watches, and is now a brand supported around the world.

　This time, we will touch on the current characteristics of each brand and introduce noteworthy models among the new releases announced in 2025. We will also explain about Otsuka Low-Tech, the first Japanese-made watch to win the Grand Prix in the Challenge category at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix (GPHG) 2024.

Grand Seiko "Evolution 9 Collection Spring Drive UFA" Ref. SLGB003

　Grand Seiko is now synonymous with Japanese luxury watches and is popular all over the world. While it has long been a familiar brand to Japanese people, it only officially launched overseas in 2010, and until then it was a brand known only to those in the know. Considering this background, it is fair to say that its current global popularity has grown dramatically.

　Grand Seiko has a wide range of technologies, including mechanical, quartz, and the Spring Drive, which is a fusion of the two. They also specialize in Zaratsu polishing, a technique used to create smooth, sharp surfaces. These technologies are fully demonstrated in the Evolution 9 Collection Spring Drive UFA, released in 2025.

　The basic design of this watch follows the design code of the Evolution 9 Collection, which inherits the Grand Seiko style while defining its own style. The hour and minute hands and indices, which use different thicknesses to enhance visibility, create excellent practicality and originality. The dial features a stencil-embossed pattern inspired by the frost-covered trees that can be seen on the Kirigamine Plateau in winter in Nagano Prefecture, where Spring Drive models are manufactured, expressing the mystical scenery.

　The movement is the Spring Drive Cal. 9RB2, which achieves an annual accuracy of ±20 seconds. "UFA" stands for Ultra Fine Accuracy, and is a reference to the "VFA (Very Fine Adjusted)" designation given to a high-precision model released in 1969. Cal. 9RB2 is equipped with a Spring Drive control IC with added temperature compensation and a pre-aged, selected quartz movement, and the addition of a regulator switch improves the accuracy of the entire system while making it easy to maintain, achieving an extremely high level of perfection. Furthermore, the movement is finished with a "frost finish" inspired by the Northern Alps, with bowl-shaped chamfers and a mirror finish in various places, adding to its aesthetic appeal.

Citizen "Eco-Drive One" Ref.AQ5022-02W

　Next up is Citizen. Citizen's technological prowess is particularly evident in its quartz movements, and the Eco-Drive One is a model that is just 1mm thick and is powered by a light-powered Eco-Drive movement. Furthermore, the increased efficiency of the light-powered movement allows for the creation of highly aesthetically pleasing dials that allow light to pass through, which is one of Citizen's greatest attractions.

　The Eco-Drive One Ref. AQ5022-02W introduced here is a model that reflects these Citizen strengths. It has a compact case diameter of 36.6mm and an extremely thin silhouette with a finished watch thickness of just 4.5mm. The classic dial design, with Roman indexes, leaf-shaped hands, and a small seconds hand at 6 o'clock, evokes the aesthetic sense of the past that "thinness is the hallmark of a luxury watch."

　The stainless steel case is treated with Duratect Amber Yellow, a subdued yellow gold color. This surface hardening technology not only enhances scratch resistance, but also creates a classic impression that matches the dial design. The dial color is a subdued bottle green with reduced saturation, which also harmonizes with the overall design and is attractive. Although the dial is light-transmitting for photovoltaic power generation, the metallic texture hides this.

Oceanus "Manta S7000 Series" Ref.OCW-S7000RA-5A

　Next up is the Oceanus, Casio's elegant and high-spec watch. The brand name is taken from Oceanus, the Greek god of the sea, and its design code features a wave pattern reminiscent of the ocean. The concept is to combine advanced technology with elegant styling. Representative features found in many Oceanus models include automatic time adjustment via reception of standard radio waves from six stations around the world, Tough Solar, a full auto-calendar (with day of the week display), and Bluetooth connectivity with smartphones. Many models also feature titanium exteriors. Another appealing feature is that they are made in Japan.

　We will be introducing the Oceanus "Manta S7000 Series" Ref. OCW-S7000RA-5A. The "Manta" is the top-of-the-line collection of Oceanus watches, and Casio's technological expertise has been applied to both its functions and exterior. Also, as the brand name is derived from the god of the sea, "Oceanos," many of the Oceanus and Manta models feature a blue base that pursues a glossy and transparent look.

　Meanwhile, the Ref. OCW-S7000RA-5A is a striking model with a brown gradient dial and bezel insert, which is rare for an Oceanus Manta. Furthermore, the dial has a semi-matte finish with a subdued sheen, which sets it apart from previous models. While most models have a sporty and elegant design based on blue, this model adds a chic charm that is likely to attract new fans.

　The watch is also packed with features. In addition to the aforementioned functions, it also features a world time function that switches between 27 cities around the world, a UTC time display function, and a stopwatch. It's also powered by Tough Solar, and can operate for approximately five months on a full charge and with all functions in use, or approximately 19 months in power-saving mode, making it extremely practical.

Orient Star "Orient Stretto Sun and Moon" Ref.RN-AK0311N

　Orient was founded in 1950, meaning that 2025 will mark its 75th anniversary. Orient's current lineup includes mechanical models such as the classic diver's watch "Orient Mako," as well as bottom-line quartz and quartz chronograph models under "Orient," and "Orient Star," which offers only mechanical models. Orient Star's watches are characterized by the fact that many of their models feature power reserve displays, small seconds, and openwork dials.

　In contrast, "Orient Stretto," newly added to the Contemporary Collection in 2025, is planned with a new concept that is different from the previous collection. The name of the collection, "stretto," is an Italian musical term that means accelerating the tempo to create a climax, and the theme of the design embodies an uplifting, affluent urban lifestyle.

　The Orient Stretto Sun and Moon Ref. RN-AK0311N featured here displays the hours, minutes, and seconds with a central red second hand, a date display at 3 o'clock, and a day of the week display at 10 o'clock. The day and night indicator is located at 5 o'clock. Day is indicated by the sun and night by the moon, hence the name of the model. This is a limited edition model commemorating the 75th anniversary, and the design shared by all commemorative models features the cursive logo that was previously used, a delightful detail for fans of the time.

Otsuka Lowtec "No. 5 Kai"

　The last brand on our list is Otsuka Low-Tech. Founded in 2012, it is a relatively new brand with a small production volume, but it is rapidly gaining global attention. The brand name comes from the fact that the company was founded in Otsuka, Toshima Ward, Tokyo, by product designer Katayama Jiro. Katayama worked for an automobile manufacturer before moving to design, and has won the Good Design Award for products he designed. Another interesting fact is that Katayama was drawn to the mechanical appeal of machine tools, and has been gradually collecting machines as he makes watches.

　This "machine-loving" sensibility is reflected in each of Otsuka Low-Tech's models. The currently released models do not display the time using the typical hour and minute hands, but rather, the "7.5" displays jumping hours through three windows and minutes and seconds on a disc, while the "6" uses a retrograde display reminiscent of a mechanical meter. The font used is also classical, so much so that it reminded me of the "veteran Japanese-made lathe sitting in the corner of my workplace."

　Otsuka Low-Tech's models, which exude a universal mechanical appeal and a nostalgic Japanese perspective, have attracted attention overseas, and No. 6 became the first Japanese-made watch to win the Grand Prix in the Challenge category at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix (GPHG) 2024.

　This time, we'll be looking at the "No. 5 Kai," a watch that strongly reflects the worldview and appeal of Otsuka Low-Tech. This model employs a satellite hour system for its time display. This system, a specialty of Urwerk, is rarely used worldwide and is the first of its kind in a Japanese-made watch. Three arms extending from the center of the dial each feature a disc with four numbers assigned to them. The arm located on the minute scale between 1 and 5 o'clock is the "currently active arm." The disc at the end of this arm displays the hours, while the scale displays the minutes. This is how the satellite hour system works. In addition to the intriguing display format, the watch's appeal lies in its highly refined design, including the design of parts reminiscent of mass-produced machine-made products from an era when manual labor was the norm, the finish in various places that retains traces of machining (but is not rough), and the nostalgic fonts and displays.