Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT in crocodile strap ref. SBGJ019, $9,202

Time to Discover
If there’s one thing the Japanese excel at, it’s out-performing the competition. They’ve proven this time and again throughout the years, first with technology such as electronic calculators, then with high-end whisky. But the first example of their competitive excellence was in watchmaking.

Japanese watch labels have been present for decades but their best remain cult picks. Seiko’s Grand Seiko and Credor series, limited strictly in the past to Japan only, have steadily appeared in markets around the world.

The Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT (above) is an excellent example of such quality design and function, combining a minimal, clean interface with function and driven by the highly accurate 9S86 movement, above COSC standard accuracy, a 5Hz escapement and over two days of power reserve.

(Clockwise, from top left) Presage Automatic 60th Anniversary limited edition ref. SSA309J1, $848; Prospex World Time Solar Chronograph ref. SSC487, $848; Astron GPS Solar World Time Limited Edition ref. SSE091, $3,638

In the same style, the Presage series offers similar standards of quality with a focus on contemporary design and small practical complications such as a large power reserve indication. But technology is a Japanese expertise and Seiko’s Astron and Prospex series delivers quartz precision and satellite-verified timekeeping with high tech solar powered performance, so you never have to worry about your watch needing a battery fix or if you’ve got the time wrong.