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Our Favorite Seiko Watches of 2026
Back in May, I picked the five best Seiko releases of 2026 so far and came away thinking Seiko had started listening to enthusiasts again. The rest of the year mostly backed that up. Seiko pushed its 8L45 movement into watches that blur the line with Grand Seiko, gave the Speedtimer two very different updates, and spread its 145th anniversary across nearly every collection. It also kept frustrating me in familiar ways, with Hardlex on watches that should have sapphire, region-locked references, and prices that keep creeping up. This list covers the whole catalog, from a $400 Seiko 5 to a $3,900 Marinemaster, and every watch on it has a confirmed US price. Here are our 10 favorite Seiko watches of 2026, in the order they arrived.
TAG Heuer Monaco Hands-On: A Legendary Chronograph I Still Can’t Commit To
For years now, the TAG Heuer Monaco has occupied a pretty persistent spot in the back of my mind. I can trace much of that fascination back to its appearance in Breaking Bad, which introduced me to a watch that I’ve had a hard time shaking ever since. I’ve gone back and forth on the idea of eventually adding one to my collection, and even after all this time, it’s something I still find myself thinking about.
G-Shock Takes Inspiration From Patek Philippe With a New Affordable Watch
Well, the rumors were true. After weeks of leaked images and social media teasers, G-Shock has officially introduced the new 2500 series. Nine models are scheduled to arrive in November, with prices ranging from $145 for the resin versions to $350 for those fitted with metal bracelets. I think there’s quite a bit to like here, especially if you’ve been waiting for G-Shock to try something different with an analog-only design.
Orient Enters the Affordable GMT Market With the New Kamasu
The affordable automatic GMT market has gotten pretty crowded since Seiko introduced the 5 Sports GMT back in 2022. The NH34 movement eventually made its way into countless microbrand releases, giving enthusiasts plenty of options for tracking a second time zone without spending a fortune. Four years later, Orient has finally joined the conversation with the new Kamasu GMT. I think this one was overdue, and I’m glad to see it happen.
Oris Takes the Green Dial Dive Watch in a Different Direction
Oris has a habit of getting creative with the Aquis, especially when there’s an environmental project attached. The new Aquis Kelp Forest Limited Edition continues that approach with a 3D-printed dial that looks quite different from the usual green dive watch. I think the result is pretty appealing, although I’m curious about how that unusual pattern will hold up once the initial novelty wears off.
