10 Japanese Watch Brands You Should Know

In this video we take a look at 10 Japanese watch brands you should know.
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Watch brands featured -
00:00 - Intro
00:04 - Kuoe
01:10 - Mirco
02:13 - Kurono
03:11 - Minase
04:15 - Future Funk
05:17 - Citizen
06:08 - Seiko
06:59 - Casio
08:02 - Orient
08:51 - Grand Seiko
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Disclaimer - Some of these links may be affiliate links. Meaning you pay no extra for the product but I get paid a small fee for directing you to it. I only ever link products I think are good quality and that are worth your time.

[@TopTierTicker]

Want to learn about more watch brands? Watch my video here on 10 German Watch Brands You Should Know ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJiulnqfYsh0ppI

[@zinaboualkhair9034]

Olevs?

[@kiettuan8443]

THank you, really nice knowing more brands than the common ones

[@jinxUKBK]

So confident in calling 'Mirco', 'Micro'. Legend

[@nielwilliams4687]

Citizen is so underrated. Probably one of the best watch makers on Earth.

[@bikertrash.7692]

I have one. Lost 5 sec a year

[@nielwilliams4687]

@@bikertrash.7692 Wow, I have a Promaster Marine that is 3 seconds fast a month, but just not in the same game as yours.

[@nielwilliams4687]

@@bikertrash.7692 Name one Swiss watch that is that accurate. Amazing.

[@Baryshx]

Which model is it?

[@bikertrash.7692]

@@Baryshx it's an aqualand, analogue, with depth gauge...

[@egyptian316]

That Future Funk watch is frankly amazing. It's beautifully retrofuturistic, and completely it's own thing. What a breath of fresh air!

[@TopTierTicker]

Perfectly stated! Such a cool complication that we dont see enough of!

[@MohamedSharif]

Where can you buy those though?

[@garywade4544]

L

[@corineclaudiafoyet786]

That looked amazing Thanks for the video

[@karlsenula9495]

Lorus/Alba and King Seiko ... ok part of Epson Seiko. Loved the Kuoe ..

[@MrKanjidude]

Wow, Kuoe looks amazing. Thank you for the video.

[@TopTierTicker]

My pleasure, thanks for watching 🤝

[@terrytong8665]

Amazing designs.

[@paulovb7660]

Thank You ! ... for Sharing ... :) 😀

[@TopTierTicker]

Very welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@johnfraser9243]

Love these

[@rikdriscoll2160]

Some great watches here, the Kuoe looks vintage and stylish for a very good price. The Minase has real class and sophistication, if a little out of my price range! Im really interested in those Future Funk watches so please do a review on those. Great informative and interesting video as always mate 👍

[@TopTierTicker]

Thanks mate! I spent a good 6 hours researching the microbrands and learning about the stories and models. Kuoe is a little gem of a brand! Definitely expect a future funk on the channel at some point!

[@maxmeier532]

Regarding Kurono, they are absolutely dying on the resale market. Literally nobody wants a japanese made watch with a miyota movement for a couple grand. From a management point it's completely miscalculated at least outside the asian market. It's highly competitive and especially in the west, you cant get a lot of people pay you thousands of dollars for a mass produced japanese movement in a dresswatch with zero features.

[@EEE_MMM]

Until a few hours ago, I had never heard of Future Funk. Then I saw your video. Long story short, one will be delivered to me in a few weeks. Thanks for the introduction! This is exactly the kind of madness I like.

[@TopTierTicker]

That's what I like to hear, how good do they look! So surprised that they aren't popular outside of Japan! Going to be picking one up myself for review

[@EEE_MMM]

@@TopTierTicker buying may be a bit of a hassle, most stores I initially found would not ship either outside of Japan or outside of Asia... I ended up ordering through Buyee, a proxy shopping service-- they basically procure the watch and ship it to you. This does add a fee to the price, but that was far from a huge amount. I believe you may find some videos on KZbin on how to shop through Buyee. I'm not affiliated with them by the way, if you have your own channels please use those 😉

[@TopTierTicker]

Oh yes Buyee. I've heard some reviewers talk about it before but completely forgot of its existence. I originally found a few models on ebay but I'll be checking out buyee now to see if it's easier. I hope you enjoy it when it comes anyway! Make sure you comment on the review I release of mine and let me know how you've got on with yours 😁🤝

[@legionnairegonk4425]

Shout out to Knot too. Great quality for price point.

[@expomm]

Wow those first brands never heard and looks amazing

[@enright8120]

solid list here, great selection of watches and brands to look at. please do pickup a future funk for review!!

[@TopTierTicker]

I will be doing for sure. Its just too cool not to make a video on! 😎

[@enright8120]

@@TopTierTicker looking forward to it!!

[@Yaw_Jr]

Hmm - REALLY digging that Kuoe! Looks like it punches way above its weight class! Thanks!

[@TopTierTicker]

It's lovely, they've done a great job

[@cartoonpete407]

Mirco or Micro? 🙃

[@TopTierTicker]

Haha FFS! 5 hours of editing and I let that slip through the cracks 👌

[@cartoonpete407]

@@TopTierTicker

[@cartoonpete407]

@@ArcticSeraph Poly Watch might help

[@markaponte7057]

My name is Marco not Macro

[@nuhadyusuf]

@@TopTierTickerdid you assume that all Japanese have a micro package? Racism !!!!!!!!!!!

[@GeniePuzzles]

I'm impressed with any quality watch that have Numbers on the face not boring hatch marks. What is life without the awesome power of numbers 😮

[@SopwithTheCamel]

Great video.

[@TopTierTicker]

Cheers Chris! Hope all it well

[@henrykhan2524]

Very nice

[@TopTierTicker]

Thanks Henry.

[@EnjoyTheLongRun]

I have a gold Citizen Corso that will always stay in my collection, partly due to its quality, but also due to the fact that it was an Xmas gift from my wife when we were dating.

[@TopTierTicker]

Amazing, watches with stories are the most special. And the fact that it's a Citizen makes it even better. Enjoy!

[@neilgadsby3924]

Thanks for introducing me to that Kuoe brand. Great looking watches!

[@TopTierTicker]

Lovely aren't they! Automatic, sapphire, nice small cases... Little gems. I've been keeping an eye on ebay hoping one pops up for cheap!

[@leej9897]

Really liking the future funk watches. Shame about the lack of a date display as with my memory I need one lol.

[@MrKrukkeslikker]

Future Funk made me click this video. Nice work... liked and followed :)

[@iyi553]

NICE VIDEO !

[@TopTierTicker]

Thanks for the visit ✌️

[@kubipro5880]

Wauw I never heard from Kuoe looks really good I am gone check if the have watches with out gold accents don't like gold.😂

[@user-gj4kj5bl4g]

Beautiful watches

[@TopTierTicker]

Thanks mate! glad you enjoyed

[@johnking9999]

Just bought a citizen nighthawk blue angels Japanese watches are amazing

[@TopTierTicker]

Great choice John. Absolutely love the nighthawk!

[@rinorino2258]

it’s kyoto not kaioto😂😂😂😂

[@iam_nick]

Anyone know if Kuoe available in Tokyo?

[@davidbarrs9721]

Were can I get one of these watches ??????

[@cosmodoc]

this is a great video because I was familiar with most of the German and British brands, but not the Japanese! So thank you!

[@thomaskidd1400]

You missed out Knot watches.......one of the best

[@dejantanaskovic7641]

Q&Q Japan made,citizen group, i love Casio🇯🇵🥇⌚

[@pauljanuschka6659]

Name of the golden Seiko at 6:22 ?

[@TopTierTicker]

It's a vintage one from my personal collection. I'm not sure on the reference. Sorry!

[@kailashnaik9240]

Plz tell us about SRWATCH

[@pclarin]

Saddest thing I have ever done was not buy a Grand Seiko GMT 20 or so years ago. My regret is everlasting. 😢

[@draakisback]

No credor? I'm aware of a lot of these brands, Grand Seiko is probably my favorite though.

[@TopTierTicker]

I decided to feature 5 microbrands and 5 big brands in the video. For the smaller brands I wanted to feature more affordable options. So Credor didn't make the cut. I agree, Grand Seiko for me is top 3 watch brands in the world.

[@draakisback]

@@TopTierTicker no problem mate. Credor is a very cool hidden gem in my opinion. Some of their watches are certainly expensive but you can get some interesting spring drive pieces from them which Grand Seiko doesn't even make yet. They're also not that expensive on the second hand market which is nice. If they weren't so dress to focused I would have bought one by now.

[@marcademus]

A few hints on pronunciation from someone who lived in Japan for several years (though that's not a requirement for some of these corrections). Kuoe is pronounced Koo-Oh-Eh; Mirco is not micro but Meer-ko (note the spelling); Kurono you got right!; finally, Minase is Me-Nah-Say. Thanks for reviewing these. Dead right on Minase and Kurono.

[@TopTierTicker]

Awesome! Appreciate the pointers. Although apparently Kuoe is pronounced how I said it in this video (confirned on the official Kuoe Instagram page) But the others, yeah I was dead wrong. Cheers

[@Chris-oz9qx]

Minase look great but if i want a Japanese watch I'd expect a Japanese movement.

[@davidbarrs9721]

Yes ?

[@wh0tube]

Kayoto? Micro? Korona? Man-easy? Thank god for Future Funk!😁

[@TopTierTicker]

I'm fully aware of some mispronunciation but, your comment is excessively dramatic.

[@wh0tube]

@@TopTierTicker I know, but it was meant in good humour. Your Japanese pronunciation is no worse than my English pronunciation. 😊🙏

[@TopTierTicker]

@@wh0tube haha no offence taken. People have came for my head over a few words on this video! You'd think I genuinely did something bad.

[@wh0tube]

@@TopTierTicker the price of fame! 😉 the thing is no one gets criticised for doing nothing. It’s only people that do things who get criticised! It’s easy for me to sit here and say you said that wrong or too fast or too slow, but at the end of the day you made this video and I didn’t! So hats off to you 👍 what’s more, because of this video and the way you said (or I heard) the names, I will remember those brands that I hadn’t heard of before 😊 So they better sponsor your next videos 😉👍

[@alkh3myst]

"Kye-oto". Millions of Japanese screamed in anguish when you said that. It's "Key-oto"! I've known the correct pronunciation since I was a child, and I live in the USA. If you British can pronounce Teignmouth, you can pronounce Kyoto, too.

[@TopTierTicker]

Life is all about learning my friend

[@zhammmy]

No, it's more like "Gio-Tor". It's like the "Cio" in Italian. Carpaccio is pronounced as "Kap-par-cho", not "Car-par-chee-yo".

[@alkh3myst]

@@zhammmy I never heard any of the announcers on NHK pronounce it that way while I was there, but go ahead, by all means. Come to think of it, I don't hear it pronounced that way during the half hour NHK news segment on PBS here in the States, either. Did you forget to change the batteries in your hearing aid again? If you're trying to transliterate the way a native speaker would pronounce it, I disagree with your transliteration. Moreover, the overall majority of Westerners couldn't handle that pronunciation. "Key-oto" is about as close as foreigners could be expected to say it, and once again, what about those NHK announcers?

[@animus444k]

京都 My japanese studying ass cringing at all of you. It's pronounced exactly how you see it. Kyo--toe. きょ is one syllable. Combine the K with yo.

[@Its_just_me_again]

a lot of research went into the mirco brand lol (forehead palm slap)

[@theshadowman1398]

Where is otsuka lotec ?

[@johnhickman2033]

Interesting review. Regarding the pronunciation; you just need to slow down your delivery for an international audience. Made in Japan still means something!

[@TopTierTicker]

Thanks for the tip! I'll be sure to do that in future videos whem talking about international brands 🤝

[@johnhickman2033]

@@TopTierTicker I own a Rolex submariner. If I needed to change my watch, I would purchase an original Seiko 'Captain Willard' as worn by Martin Sheen in the classic film Apocalypse Now.

[@mitchmazerolle3168]

Someone may have flagged this already....but "MIRCO" as is printed on the dial face is not "MICRO". Also at 1:23 in the video at the bottom of the brand bio page is also states "This is "Mirco"".

[@mitchmazerolle3168]

*it also states...

[@TopTierTicker]

Yes, you are correct. When I was doing my research on what brands to feature, my mind saw it as Micro. Then it just didn't unsee it as Micro. I have some small form of dyslexia so this occasionally happens. But thank you for pointing that out.

[@mitchmazerolle3168]

@@TopTierTicker It's all good. I have my off days too! Great vid by the way and Thanks....I would have never known about the Mirco watches otherwise. Their divers look quite nice with some really cool colorways.

[@paaftube]

Why are you saying Micro when the dial crearly says Mirco?

[@amoura123]

Citoyen is so underrated probable one of thé best watch makers one earth

[@ShlomoLevi]

knot?

[@Biblicalgiants]

Micro or Mirco??

[@PPN462]

As a lot of people have noticed, it is a bit of a shame that you mention such a recent brand like Kuoe but completely forgot Knot which pioneered in a way the idea of mix and match style. Also unlike Kuoe which assembles in Japan but may use parts not made in Japan, Knot is fully made in Japan with a strong focus on straps from Japanese manufacturers/artisans and cases made by Hayashi Seiki which is kind of a big deal. Kuoe watches are still great but they are still very new and are definitely a lot less upfront about how and where they make their watches. Minase came to prominence thanks to their 5-Windows model. It is a bit weird that you show every model except the one they are known for. Your video is maybe missing an important explanation too about why they are so focused on straight lines and case designs: they were originally and still are a tool maker for watchmakers, especially drilling tools. On another note, if you are making the distinction between Seiko/Orient/GS, you might as well at least name drop the likes of Credor, Alba etc.

[@keysersoze503]

I did not see a Micro watch but I did see a Mirco.

[@alunjones2550]

Credor?????

[@Izou96]

checkout katabami watch too

[@deeman1643]

MIRCO

[@williamsipe1151]

It's somewhat disingenuous to say eco-drive watches never need a battery change. The energy provided by light is stored in a button-cell capacitor, which will at some point need to be replaced. And, while a capacitor and rechargeable battery use slightly different technology, the differences are minor.

[@TopTierTicker]

The difference is that a baterry typically will last 3-5 years. Whereas the cell holding the power can last upwards of 20. Of course there are cases of them failing sooner but, eco power is the most user friendly of watch movements.

[@williamsipe1151]

@TopTierTicker , agreed. The average life of the capacitor is ten years, and that's better than most batteries ( don't slam me, casio) but they tend to market it as lasting essentially forever. Great movements but be honest about them.

[@PPN462]

@@williamsipe1151 If mechanical watchmakers can get away with selling the idea that their watches can act as heirloom when they actually need service every 5-10 years to not be completely off, I think it is fair to sell the idea that solar-based watches last "forever" if they only need a cell swap every 10-20 years.

[@arifselatpanjang]

One’s More Alba

[@TopTierTicker]

Indeed, good shout!

[@hazibaba314]

Kuoe start from INR 25k. WHICH means not to reachable for common indian man

[@nikossiotas]

Actually 5 brands, and those are so expensive that i don't need to know them, after all... I don't think that is anyone in the world that doesn't know casio, seiko, citizen and orient.

[@TopTierTicker]

Well just 4 years ago when I first started collecting I had no idea who Orient and Seiko were. So yes, people exist who don't know these brands.

[@damianosavraammisaelidis9727]

Mirco and not micro ... It's tongue twister I know.

[@Snakebloke]

Kai-oh-toe

[@briancarruthers1738]

Not micro but MIRCO

[@RolandBeyek-me7ue]

T8

[@jamesbrookes6569]

The prices would have been nice to know……

[@zelphx]

"Micro"?

[@SaadSaad-zk8ov]

Where is skmei watch ????

[@TopTierTicker]

I'd rather put a nail through my tongue

[@marcinuscinowicz5513]

Dude....japanese micro brand called MIRCO not MICRO

[@pst9821]

I don't think so

[@BottleBri]

Seiko Kinetics are rubbish. Take it off your wrist and it’s supposed to last 6 months, but I put mine back on after a week and it hardly had any charge, and never did charge up fully ever again. It’s in a drawer needing a new capacitor now. A kinetic is quite literally a watch that you MUST wear your whole life or it will die on you. I hate them.

[@Dominic-rw9dj]

Kyoto, not Kiyoto

[@zeromold]

M I R C O - Mirco NOT micro. Didn't you even bother to read the website? 🕶

[@artrekitariang6743]

Micro??? 😂😂

[@piotrszmidel]

Well,that Mirco is 3x overpriced

[@TopTierTicker]

You're comparing the prices with other microbrand prices. You have to consider, all parts made in Japan, even the cases, and not China. Which the vast majority of microbrands do. R&D for unique case designs. But yes, overpriced but I wouldn't say 3x.

[@hedgefundshyster..3241]

Orient ...

[@TopTierTicker]

Are featured in the video...

[@roundingcorners]

i have never heard kyoto pronounced "kayato" wtf

[@jeffreygoss8109]

Uh, the brand is MIRCO yet is pronounced “micro”

[@TopTierTicker]

This was just my mistake. I assume that it is indeed pronounced Mirco

[@jeffreygoss8109]

@@TopTierTicker gotcha. Thanks for the video. Kuoe should thank you too. I’m sure I’m not the only who buying one because of this introduction.

[@abdelouahedelamrani7456]

Very good hours of dreaming

[@gregorwaldhauser1041]

Why do you keep saying "micro", when the brand is actually called "mirco" ?!?!?

[@nicoeffem3483]

you'd think you would take some time to pronounce items and place names correctly

[@ET-cj8jo]

Yes, I wrote the same thing but all I got was a fob off and "I'm not Japanese mate" and quote "..not a professional either". Pathetic. Well, accept that most British have no idea where Japan is and/or consistently mix it up with China.

[@brinx8634]

Did your extensive research tell you that Mirco, a watch manufacturer, is pronounced Micro? Hoot mon, ken ye no read?? 👎FFS!

[@TopTierTicker]

Imagine never making a mistake. Life would be good

[@brinx8634]

@@TopTierTicker LOL....fool!

[@ET-cj8jo]

@@TopTierTicker And yet you spent how many hours editing ?

[@just88]

Your mispronunciation of words is unbelievable. Not sure whether they were intentional or not - phishing for comments? Well then, you got it. Kyoto as Kah-yo-to? Mirco as Mai-cro? Minase as Mee-Nay-seh? It's painful.

[@TopTierTicker]

Hello, I'm from the North of England. We tend to have quite strong accents and often say things a lot different to people around the world. This is certainly not intentional to phish for comments I can assure you. Infact, I tried to do as much research as possible on pronunciation. I haven't studied any language so my tongue is purely British. The Micro one is just a mistake. I first read it as Micro and it just stuck. Sorry if it offended you in anyway.

[@rockymcshaw2746]

@@TopTierTicker mispronunciation or not, it’s still a great video! Keep creating, brother

[@steve1811uk]

The brand is clearly Mirco, not micro, so annoying

[@TopTierTicker]

I do apologise for my simple mistake Stephen.

[@bilwani1986]

Its mirco not micro, shame on you

[@TopTierTicker]

I should be ashamed for a simple mistake? I bet you're fun at parties 😂

[@zelphx]

Why would ANYONE buy a Casio watch based on the fact that Obama wore one?

[@ET-cj8jo]

Take some time out and learn how to pronounce the Japanese names properly.

[@TopTierTicker]

It's crazy the amount of people that leave a comment like they've never made a single mistake before 😂 Yes I mispronounced some of these names. I'm not Japanese mate 😆 And thanks for everyone's rudeness, I now know how to pronounce them all to make everyone happy.

[@ET-cj8jo]

@@TopTierTicker You are giving a public review of Japanese watch brands as an expert; it thus makes sense that you at least try to pronounce the brand names properly. "I'm not Japanese mate". Is that really your best answer ? I am looking forward to seeing how you pronounce German brand names. Or will it be "I'm not German mate" ? If you want to be a professional, act like one.

[@TopTierTicker]

​@@ET-cj8jowhere did I claim to be a professional or even an expert? I'm an enthusiast who enjoys making some KZbin videos. Stop putting labels on me to make your argument valid. I can say what I want, I'll make mistakes, I'm human. Get over it.

[@ET-cj8jo]

@@TopTierTicker How about "I'll try better next time" ? I have enjoyed your videos but you could try a little better on pronunciation, as re: quite a few comments from others. You got the pronunciation of Kuoe correct as Kuo, but that isn't even a Japanese word, it is a Chinese surname, not that you would have known that. There seem to be quite a few critics about your pronunciation and you say you are from the north of England .... and so are my family, and they manage quite well with Japanese words. Best wishes from Tokyo

[@Shontaku]

Jesus…at least learn how to pronounce the names of these products and cities. If you can’t even say the name then how can anyone trust your info???

[@dickb2128]

Just One More Watch and Top Tier Ticker are the best review channels according to me. Love them both. By the way, the first Japanese watch, Kuoe is made in Kyoto (kee oh toe) and I'm sure you noticed later that the next watch was not Micro but Mirco.

[@TopTierTicker]

Hey! I didn't notice when making the video, but plenty have let me know 😆 I can now pronounce them with intense accuracy 👌 Thank you so much! I love a bit of Jodys channel too! Top guy. Thanks for watching my friend, stay well 🙏

[@user-yl1rx6fo6v]

T8