![]() ![]() The case? A severely polished titanium alloy with brushed accents, rivaling Grand Seiko’s mystical “Zaratzu” polishing. But, first impressions aside, this watch is radical. It is, after all, a very traditional 37.5 mm in diameter without crown and crown guards. This model is so crisp and clean that the only design offense it commits is that it may be too reserved for personal taste. And if “pretty” turns you off of a watch, unfortunately pretty is what the Japanese do exceedingly well. It may not be for everyone, but it’s not outrageous enough that anyone couldn’t pull it off. Only found in a few watches across the entire industry, a tinted crystal places this watch in a unique space. Light and subtle enough over the black background, this adds an element of “pretty” to a watch that would otherwise be decidedly masculine, with its beveled lugs and bracelet links and 41.5mm diameter. The sapphire crystal, with a super clear reflective coating on the interior, is in fact blue in color. …if “pretty” turns you off of a watch, unfortunately pretty is what the Japanese do exceedingly well.īeyond the blue walls of the beveled indices, a cool blue flashes under certain lights and angles. Though perhaps one of the more reserved models of the Oceanus line, with only a time and date on black face, Casio does make room for the emblematic blue of their Oceanus line to be present. Unfortunately, the bracelet cannot be exchanged for a strap, as the case and bracelet are intended to be an ensemble. Our specific model employs the latter, with a lightweight titanium case and integrated bracelet that fittingly flow into each other. Considered a premium line for Casio, Oceanus watches come standard with sapphire crystals and polished and/or brushed cases of either stainless steel or titanium. The line’s emblem is a tasteful minimalist wave. True to the “Ocean” in the name, aquatic themes present via elements of blues, greens, and occasional mother of pearl. One such line, “Oceanus”, has watches that exclusively utilize analog displays, not the typical LCD of most Casios. Specific watches aside, Casio has entire product lines (as do the other two companies) reserved only for Japan. They also happen to be very Japanese in design, though perhaps only after closer inspection. Indeed, their neutral nature and specifications lend them to be contenders as GADA (Go Anywhere, Do Anything) watches. While there is an extensive catalog to choose from once one breaches the JDM watch world, the following three watches were chosen for their seemingly contradictory qualities of being middle-of-the-road, unassuming models yet equipped with some company-specific technologies and materials that only each company can excel in. ![]() But the full extent of this maxim manifests only in what is intended for the native Japanese populace. This characteristic is found across most consumable goods available from Japan, their watches not exempt. Japan, specifically its industries, has been ubiquitous for more than a half-century for excellent quality at a value. Let’s look at an example from each company that captures the essence of what Japan decided is too good for the rest of the world. These pieces, like “Oceanus” and “The Citizen”, are unknown to most non-Japanese and rare in that they can only be sourced through specific channels. But though their watches may be unique, they make sure to reserve some of the best exclusively for home, the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM). From G-Shock to High Accuracy Quartz, the Big Three of Japan - Casio, Citizen, and Seiko - are constantly disrupting and contributing to the watch industry.
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