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I have been meaning to do this review for a while but keep getting busy, sorry about the delay!

The whole concept of Ananta is cool, the word in Sanskrit for infinate, when Seiko set out to design these watches they gave the team infinate resources, budget, time, and scope. Hence the name.





Seiko might be associated with cheap mass produced watches, but their technical ability, sheer size, and deep history made me curious as to what they could achieve, I had high expectations. Suffice it to say, they where all exceeded.

The first thing that drew me to the watches was that they where not copies of popular designs, the dials, case design, concept, and movement are all unique and well executed.

When the Seiko designers set out to create the theme for these watches, they ment to do a proper Japanese watch, hence the Samurai sword connection. The ancient design of the blade was used as a basis for designing the case and the rotor of the movement. And to take the idea further they also did the dial hands so that they where as sharp as a sword, so as to reflect light at a maximum level possible. Also the finishing on the watches is called a sword polishing technique, but more on that later.





Take a look at the pictures, notice that these watches have both polished and brushed surfaces, both are done superbly! I would rate the finish level higher than that found on many Swiss watches such as Omega, Breitling etc. Not quite to IWC, Panerai, or JLC level but still pretty close to that level. Only five people are allowed to finish the 46mm Ananta cases.










The case itself is very solid and just screams quality and well thought out design. Although the watch is large, the curved back and integrated bracelet/straps make for an unbelievable comfortable fit! This is by far the most comfortable watch I have ever worn!




Speaking about the integrated bracelet and straps, just take a look at how well excuted these are! Notice the notches at the back to allow for easy changing! I wish Panerai had integrated straps like these! Superb quality on both the straps and bracelet, but the strap is really up there!







The movements are very well finished and pretty good amount of decoration.


There are two varieties, the regular automatics which are insane value, and the spring drives, which are just as good a value but at a bit higher of a price point. The Spring Drive watches have the smoothest moving seconds hand you have ever seen. It is just mesmerizing! I can look at it for hours.

The silver Auto keeps time within -1 to +1 seconds a day in my experience, my black dial GMT Spring drive lost 2 seconds in 10 days.



Considering the prices, value, and quality of these watches I can only imagine that the people who would look down at these are the same people who would look down at a Lexus as a repackaged Toyota (I admit to being that person but I saw the light with the 460L) personally I am enjoying both products immensely!!!

All I can say, get yourself an Ananta ASAP. you will not be sorry!

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Certified watch nut.

Great review! Which do you wear the most? As usual I'm a sucker for the white face although the black with the leather strap looks awesome too!

Cheers

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Currently:
Avenger Skyland(Black)
Super Avenger(White)

Moved on:
Montbrillant Legende(Silver)
Panerai 312
SOHC 125th Ann. LE(Silver)
Navitimer World(Pearl)
Panerai 441

Really nice, thanks Altair. It would be interesting if they would incorporate damascus steel into a model.

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UN Maxi Marine Ti
B01, BEB
SOH
Aerospace Ti
Chrono SO
Omega 300 Master Co-Axial Chro
Omega PO Chrono.
AP ROO Diver
Titan Black Rolex DSOD Honeycomb Dial

Great review Altair, and great pictures. I'm really glad that Seiko have decided to make these piexes available worldwide.

I love both, but the black dial Spring drive gets the definate nod. If for nothing else the amazing smooth seconds hand, man o man is it amazing!! I should do a video review of the watches, would anyone be interested in that?

I forgot to mension something about the movement in the review. It does not get any more in-house than this! Every last component, from the bridge, to the pring, to the screws and spring bars is completely made by Seiko! And to me that is very cool!

Show me where else can you get a in house movement housed in a 46mm amazingly finished case for under 2K for the standard auto and under 3K for the spring drive models!! Unbelievable bang for your buck here!

By the way my AD in Houston can give anywhere between 30-35% on these models, the biggest discounts I have seen on them. makes the watch even more of a no brainer and, in my opinion, the very best value in high end watch making!

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Certified watch nut.

Absolutely stunning pictures Altiar.

Thank You for sharing.

I was also very impressed when I got to try out some of the Anantas recently. The case design was very unique and finished to the highest order.

I would have gone for the GMT Spring Drive (love that technology and sweeping hand). However, my SOHC "Green" just won out

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

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Great looking pieces and a wonder of engineering. Its too bad the marketing people at Seiko didnt think ahead enough (and swallow thier Japanese pride) and realize that the true market for these watches are striken with the stigmata of Seiko's past contribution to the watch world. IMO, they would have been better off creating a new brand, kept the connection to Seiko quiet and eventually leak out that the new brand was indead part of Seiko. It would have changed the WIS's perception of what Seiko is and allow them to move up in the watch world.

I really like the looks and would surely love the spring drive movement, but the watch snob in me wouldnt allow spending the $2k + for one of them.

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

I'd definitely be very interested in a video review Altair. Loved your written review, it was helpful and informative and your photos are, as always, brilliant.

I've always liked Seiko. I know that not all their models are considered anything special but the company, its history, technological capabilites and breadth stand them apart IMO.

The prices sound fair to me and the fact they're entirely in-house are another big plus.

Glad you're enjoying them! I'm looking forward to seeing one in the flesh.

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

Glad you enjoyed the review and pics, I will be doing a video review soon then.

I have to say the more I wear the watch the more I love it, it gives the same joy as my BI,BP, and even PAMs do. Just a fantastic watch at an unbelievable price!!!

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Certified watch nut.

After owning this watch for two months now, I can confirm that it is indeed an exceptional watch and hands down the best value in high end watches! If you are letting the Spring Drive Ananta go simply because you associate Seiko with lower end watches, you are loosing out on what could be your favorite new watch!

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Certified watch nut.

Altair, that was simply a fantastic review and magazine-like quality pictures! Yes, please do a video review too.
I've been up on the Internet day and night trying to learn as much as I can about the Seiko Ananta CHRONOGRAPH and need your advice on which one has the better movement: The Breitling B01 or the Seiko Ananta. Since both have column wheel vertical clutch movements and both are 72hrs power reserve, I'mm at a crossroads (the Seiko Ananta GMT chrono IS a 72hr power reserve movement)
The quality of the finishing of the steel case on the Ananta seems amazing, and the Breitling B01 in question is the limited edition version with the brushed finish. The rotor on the Ananta visible thru the caseback is stunning to say the least with the 'sharp blade' design!
Need your help....should it be the Breitling Limited Edition B01 with bracket or the Seiko Ananta Spring Drive Chronograph with bracelet?
I dont want the price factor to be a deciding one. Just the other stuff. Thanks again:)

Hey, I'm no Altair, but if given the choice, I'd take the Navi 01 LE any day of the week. While the Spring Drive is a thing of wonder, it's still not a fully mechanical movement and lacks the same appeal as swiss and german offerings, IMO.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

You are absolutely right about the Seiko Ananta Spring Drive chronograph not being 100% mechanical as I found this out yesterday after much googling!! I'm still on the fence as to which chrono to buy, but so far everything seems to be pointing towards the Breitling Chronomat B01 Limited Edition.
Three weeks more before I pull the trigger.

Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful. However, it's still a Seiko. Nice review though.

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Breitling SuperOcean Steelfish - 2009
Breitling B-2 - 2002
Rolex DateJust 18k/ SS (1984 vintage)
Omega Seamaster (1958 vintage)
Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece MP6318 - 2003
Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph CV2013-3
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