I recently stumbled across this channel and I’m really impressed! The selection of Japanese microbrands is spot on, showcasing a great range of both well-known and more niche options. The top 10 list is thoughtfully curated, and I love the challenge of limiting each brand to just one pick-it definitely makes the choices more intriguing and sparks conversation. I do think Japanese microbrands like JIOS, Fukushima Watch Co, and Junzen would have been worthy additions to the list, but that’s part of the fun! The video is engaging, and the insights are spot on.
I've actually never heard of Kentex before but 8 of these watches on this list are on my radar, especially that Citizen! Time to look at what else Kentex offers.
Awesome video. I would love to see more videos like this especially from other countries. to be honest the Japanese brands that I can think of all bust the $1000 limit Like Minase, Hajime Asaoka, and Naoya Hida & Co. as such.
My Casio G-Shock MTG-B3000B-1A was a clearance sale at a major Canadian retailer, at under $1k CAD. It’s wide and squat but the thickness is 12mm, which makes it noteworthy for a chunky-monkey G-Shock.
Picking one Seiko, under a 1000$, is probably the hardest task. My choice would be the fairly obvious SPB121J1 (Green Alpinist) as it's just a visual treat, wears well despite some bulk and I feel it probably still the most versatile watch in my collection (even in spite of the colourway). The black series are a good shout due the fact they have been so heavily discounted (many times 50%+). Those Seiko fabric straps are amazing (always forget the right term). Shame they are 150 quid a pop.
I like the Seiko Titanium Baby Snowflake and the Seiko Sharp Edge Titanium Chronographs. All around $1000. Or less second hand. My favorite is the King Seiko SPB247 which can also be found if rarely secondhand for around $799. Kuoe is nice but is let down by the water resistance. This is also a problem with the old vintage Grand Seikos and King Seikos.
Something I just realized is that all my watches are JDM’s! I love my Citizen AQ4100 you can find some of the stainless ones for about $1k if high accuracy quartz is your thing. I do wish mine had that amazing blue dial which is on your nb1050. I love that one I just can’t tolerate mechanical watches to be honest. Next on my list though is a Citizen nh8390. If I’m going to have one mechanical and I can’t afford a Grand Seiko, I would choose a miyota movement.
I did consider that but I already had 3 seiko brands, if I went for a Casio and an Oceanus as well it would have pushed some of the smaller brands out.
Oooof, I have had this scripted for a very long time and just used the price I paid for mine, prices on the videos never age well but its an oversight from me not to double check.
Before watching I am just a bit paralyzed by the concept of this one. I could not imagine trying to pare down a top ten with so many great options under $1k. Spoilt for choice, we are!
@ Job well done. Thanks for reminding me about the Citizen again. I almost bought it this summer but missed out. That OrientStar also looks amazing, as does the Raden, seems like that would be akin to a bespoke purchase
Interesting collection. The Ricoh electric is really cool and rare ! I want one !
I recently stumbled across this channel and I’m really impressed! The selection of Japanese microbrands is spot on, showcasing a great range of both well-known and more niche options. The top 10 list is thoughtfully curated, and I love the challenge of limiting each brand to just one pick-it definitely makes the choices more intriguing and sparks conversation. I do think Japanese microbrands like JIOS, Fukushima Watch Co, and Junzen would have been worthy additions to the list, but that’s part of the fun! The video is engaging, and the insights are spot on.
Share your picks with us. We sometimes find gems in the comment section.
@@lain9719 Sure, happy to. My picks would have been: 1. Grand Seiko 5645-5010 (Vintage 70s), 2. Citizen Bullhead 4-901177K (Vintage 70s); 3. KUOE Sombrero (Brand new model); 4. Junzen Akatsuki (self assembly), 5. JIOS GMT DIVER'S 104, 6. Mirco (Fukushima Watch Co.) Futaba; 7. Azusa Orthodoxy-R; 8. Seiko Bell-Matic 4006-6021 (Vintage 70s); 9. KNIS KN001-MT (w/ meteorite dial); 10. Outline YK2022-2BL (reminiscence to the Weems watch in blue)
@@Masamune-di9su watch your language !
NB1050-59 is a contender for me, it has everything it needs to have, it stands out and it's not super expensive.
What a great video, many brands that I've not seen before. Subscribed !
Love those Credor squares.
That Citizen really is gorgeous. Good catch!
I've actually never heard of Kentex before but 8 of these watches on this list are on my radar, especially that Citizen! Time to look at what else Kentex offers.
Awesome video. I would love to see more videos like this especially from other countries. to be honest the Japanese brands that I can think of all bust the $1000 limit Like Minase, Hajime Asaoka, and Naoya Hida & Co. as such.
There are a few other countries on my channel already
My Casio G-Shock MTG-B3000B-1A was a clearance sale at a major Canadian retailer, at under $1k CAD. It’s wide and squat but the thickness is 12mm, which makes it noteworthy for a chunky-monkey G-Shock.
Picking one Seiko, under a 1000$, is probably the hardest task. My choice would be the fairly obvious SPB121J1 (Green Alpinist) as it's just a visual treat, wears well despite some bulk and I feel it probably still the most versatile watch in my collection (even in spite of the colourway). The black series are a good shout due the fact they have been so heavily discounted (many times 50%+). Those Seiko fabric straps are amazing (always forget the right term). Shame they are 150 quid a pop.
I like the Seiko Titanium Baby Snowflake and the Seiko Sharp Edge Titanium Chronographs. All around $1000. Or less second hand. My favorite is the King Seiko SPB247 which can also be found if rarely secondhand for around $799. Kuoe is nice but is let down by the water resistance. This is also a problem with the old vintage Grand Seikos and King Seikos.
Something I just realized is that all my watches are JDM’s! I love my Citizen AQ4100 you can find some of the stainless ones for about $1k if high accuracy quartz is your thing. I do wish mine had that amazing blue dial which is on your nb1050. I love that one I just can’t tolerate mechanical watches to be honest. Next on my list though is a Citizen nh8390. If I’m going to have one mechanical and I can’t afford a Grand Seiko, I would choose a miyota movement.
The Kuoe Sombrero in salmon would be my pick. It looks warm and inviting like no dive watch I can think of.
Stealing Teddy's idea with a spin, how about a top ten best watches of 2024 under 1k?
@@lain9719 I'll see what I can do but with the prices of everything going up, a 2024 list in 2024 is probably quite hard to do ^^
@@ImpulsiveWatches Good point. 😅 On the other hand, the idea is broad enough to allow for the inclusion of a great variety of watches.
Should Casio have been featured (separately from G-Shock) ?
I did consider that but I already had 3 seiko brands, if I went for a Casio and an Oceanus as well it would have pushed some of the smaller brands out.
All a bit frustration as I cannot wear anything under 40mm
The Seiko and Kentex are the biggest things on the list, but I do appreciate what you're saying :(
Japan is beauty ..
Square G Shocks only.
SPB253 is 1290€ :-\
Oooof, I have had this scripted for a very long time and just used the price I paid for mine, prices on the videos never age well but its an oversight from me not to double check.
@@ImpulsiveWatches Sure, no worries. It's just that it's my fav one from the video and I went to see the price and got a surprise xD
Dont most japanese watches come under $1000??
Grand.Seiko.and Seiko.have entered.the chat
And the independent/microbrand Korono Tokyo.
I noticed the absence of Oceanus on this list. Is that a story for another time?
@@mybrainlikesthingsMight have bought one in Japan and in the process of making a review 😂 Can neither confirm nor deny
Yep, which makes creating a top ten that much harder rather than easier
Before watching I am just a bit paralyzed by the concept of this one. I could not imagine trying to pare down a top ten with so many great options under $1k. Spoilt for choice, we are!
I've had the script for this one written in part for a very long time :P So many revisions it was unreal but in the end I just had to go for it.
@ Job well done. Thanks for reminding me about the Citizen again. I almost bought it this summer but missed out. That OrientStar also looks amazing, as does the Raden, seems like that would be akin to a bespoke purchase
Hmm. Heavily biased in favour of dress watches.