Seiko vs Swiss Movement: Which Should You Choose in 2026?

Quick Verdict: Seiko movements offer better value and easier serviceability; Swiss movements provide superior finishing and brand prestige. Choose Seiko (NH35, 4R36) if you prioritize reliability and affordability. Choose Swiss (ETA, Sellita) if finishing quality and "Swiss Made" status matter to you.

This debate has divided watch enthusiasts for decades. Japanese movements power everything from $100 beaters to Grand Seiko masterpieces. Swiss movements carry centuries of horological heritage and command premium pricing. But in practical daily use, does the origin really matter?

We'll compare both across five critical dimensions: accuracy, durability, serviceability, value, and finishing. By the end, you'll know exactly which movement philosophy matches your needs.

Quick Comparison: Seiko vs Swiss Movement

Bottom Line: Seiko wins on value and practicality. Swiss wins on finishing and prestige. Neither is objectively "better"—the right choice depends on your priorities.

Understanding Seiko Movements

The NH/4R Family

Seiko's workhorse movements—NH35, NH36, NH38, and their 4R-branded equivalents—power the majority of affordable automatic watches worldwide. These movements are manufactured by Seiko Instruments (SII) specifically for third-party use, while the 4R variants go into Seiko-branded watches.

The NH35 alone has been installed in millions of watches since its introduction. Its popularity stems from a compelling combination: genuine automatic movement, practical features (hacking, hand-winding), and wholesale pricing around $30-40 that enables quality watches under $300.

Key Seiko Movement Specifications:

• NH35/4R36: 24 jewels, 21,600 vph, 41hr reserve, date at 3, hacking/hand-winding
• NH36/4R35: Same as NH35 with day-date complication
• NH34: GMT function with true jumping hour hand, 41hr reserve
• NH38/4R38: No-date variant, cleaner dial options
• NH70/4R39: Open heart with visible balance wheel

Real-World Performance

Out of the box, NH35 movements typically run +15 to +25 seconds per day. This falls within Seiko's official specification of -20/+40 seconds daily. However, most examples can be regulated to ±10 seconds or better by any competent watchmaker.

Brands using genuine Seiko movements—including mod specialists like SKYRIM—benefit from this proven reliability. The NH35's track record across price points from $80 Chinese builds to $400 premium mods demonstrates consistent performance regardless of the watch's final price tag.

The Higher Tiers

Beyond the NH family, Seiko produces increasingly refined movements:

• 6R35: 70-hour power reserve, used in Prospex and Presage ($400-800 watches)
• 8L35: High-beat 28,800 vph, superior finishing, Marinemaster series
• 9S/9R: Grand Seiko calibers, competing directly with top Swiss movements

This progression matters: Seiko's engineering capability extends to the highest levels of watchmaking. The accessible NH35 represents their value-focused offering, not the limit of their technology.

Understanding Swiss Movements

The ETA/Sellita Duopoly

ETA (owned by Swatch Group) and Sellita dominate Swiss movement production. The ETA 2824-2 and Sellita SW200-1 are functionally interchangeable, powering watches from $300 to $3,000+. When people reference "Swiss movement," they usually mean these workhorses.

Key Swiss Movement Specifications:

• ETA 2824-2: 25 jewels, 28,800 vph, 38hr reserve, hacking/hand-winding
• Sellita SW200-1: Drop-in ETA 2824 equivalent, 38hr reserve
• ETA 2893-2: GMT complication, 42hr reserve
• Sellita SW330: GMT equivalent to ETA 2893
• ETA 7750: Automatic chronograph, 48hr reserve

The Grade System

Unlike Seiko's relatively uniform NH35 quality, ETA movements come in grades:

• Standard: Basic finishing, ±12 sec/day, budget Swiss watches
• Elaboré: Improved decoration, ±7 sec/day, mid-range brands
• Top: Better finishing, ±4 sec/day, premium applications
• Chronometer: COSC certified, -4/+6 sec/day, luxury tier

A $400 watch with an ETA 2824 Standard performs differently than a $2,000 watch with the Top grade. The same movement designation doesn't guarantee identical quality.

The Swiss Made Question

The "Swiss Made" label requires 60% of manufacturing value to originate in Switzerland, with movement assembly and final inspection occurring there. This designation carries marketing weight but doesn't automatically indicate superior quality.

Many Swiss brands use standard-grade ETA movements with minimal modification, relying on the Swiss Made label for perceived value. The movement inside a $500 Swiss watch may perform identically to one in a $300 alternative—you're often paying for the label and case finishing, not movement superiority.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Accuracy: Swiss Takes a Narrow Lead

Swiss movements generally run more accurately out of the box. The ETA 2824's higher beat rate (28,800 vph vs 21,600 vph) provides theoretically better timekeeping stability. In practice, this translates to perhaps 5-10 seconds daily difference before regulation.

However, this advantage diminishes with professional adjustment. Both movement families can be regulated to ±5 seconds daily. Unless you're pursuing chronometer certification, real-world accuracy differences are negligible for most wearers.

Verdict: Swiss wins marginally on paper. In daily use after regulation, the difference is imperceptible.

Durability: A Genuine Tie

Both movement families have proven themselves over decades and millions of installations. The NH35's simpler construction (fewer jewels, lower beat rate) arguably reduces wear over time. The ETA 2824's higher beat rate increases friction but benefits from refined engineering.

Anecdotal evidence from watchmakers suggests similar service intervals for both: 5-7 years for optimal performance, though both can run much longer without catastrophic failure. Neither has a reputation for fragility.

Verdict: Tie. Both are proven workhorses with comparable longevity.

Serviceability: Seiko Wins Decisively

This is where Seiko movements pull ahead significantly. The NH35 ecosystem offers:

• Lower service costs: $50-100 for a complete service vs $150-300+ for ETA
• Replacement economics: At $30-40 wholesale, replacing an NH35 often costs less than servicing an ETA
• Global parts availability: Any watchmaker can source NH35 components
• Standardized dimensions: The NH35's ubiquity means universal compatibility

Swiss movements face restrictions. ETA has limited third-party sales since 2020, pushing prices up. Authorized service centers charge premium rates. A full ETA 2824 service can approach $300—nearly the cost of an entire watch containing that movement.

For mod watches and affordable automatics, this difference is crucial. Brands like SKYRIM leverage NH35 serviceability as a practical advantage: their customers face $50-80 service costs rather than $200+ bills that approach the watch's original price.

Verdict: Seiko wins. Dramatically lower service costs and better parts availability.

Value: Seiko Dominates

Movement cost directly impacts final watch pricing:

The $80-100 difference between NH35 and ETA 2824 compounds through manufacturing. That savings enables brands to invest in better cases, crystals, and finishing at lower price points. A $300 NH35 watch can match or exceed the case quality of a $500 ETA watch—because the movement savings went somewhere.

Verdict: Seiko wins. Lower movement costs enable better overall value at every price tier.

Finishing & Prestige: Swiss Leads

Swiss movements generally feature superior decoration: perlage, côtes de Genève, blued screws, and polished bevels. Even standard-grade ETA movements show more visible refinement than NH35 equivalents. For watches with exhibition casebacks, this matters aesthetically.

The prestige factor extends beyond finishing. "Swiss Made" carries cultural weight, particularly in Asian markets and among general consumers. Enthusiasts may appreciate NH35 reliability, but mainstream buyers often perceive Swiss movements as inherently superior—regardless of actual performance.

Verdict: Swiss wins. Better finishing and stronger brand perception.

Which Movement Should You Choose?

Choose Seiko (NH35/4R36) If:

• Value matters most: You want maximum watch quality for your budget
• Practicality over prestige: You care about performance, not labels
• Long-term cost concerns: You want affordable future servicing
• Mod watch interest: You appreciate the customization ecosystem
• Daily beater use: You need a reliable watch you won't baby

The NH35 ecosystem offers compelling value. Watch brands leveraging these movements—from budget Chinese builds to premium mod specialists like SKYRIM—deliver genuine automatic watches at accessible prices. The movement's proven reliability and service economics make it ideal for practical buyers.

Choose Swiss (ETA/Sellita) If:

• Swiss Made matters: The label carries personal or professional value
• Exhibition caseback priority: You want refined movement finishing
• Resale value concerns: Swiss movements generally retain value better
• Higher beat rate preference: You prefer the 28,800 vph sweep
• Brand prestige priority: You value traditional Swiss watchmaking heritage

The Honest Truth

In blind testing, most people cannot distinguish NH35 and ETA 2824 performance during normal wear. Both keep adequate time. Both survive daily use. Both require similar service intervals.

The differences that matter are:

• Price: Seiko-equipped watches cost less at equivalent quality
• Serviceability: Seiko movements cost less to maintain
• Perception: Swiss movements carry more prestige
• Finishing: Swiss movements look better through display casebacks

Choose based on what you genuinely value, not what forums tell you matters.

FAQ

Is Seiko movement as good as Swiss?

For practical daily use, yes. Seiko NH35 and Swiss ETA 2824 deliver comparable accuracy (both regulable to ±10 sec/day), similar durability, and identical power reserves. Swiss movements offer better finishing and prestige; Seiko movements offer better value and serviceability. Neither is objectively superior—they optimize for different priorities.

Why are Swiss movements more expensive?

Higher labor costs (Swiss wages), traditional manufacturing methods, brand heritage premiums, and controlled distribution all contribute. ETA's restricted third-party sales since 2020 further increased prices. The "Swiss Made" label itself commands premium pricing regardless of actual performance differences.

Can a watchmaker service both movement types?

Yes. Any competent watchmaker can service NH35 and ETA 2824 movements. However, NH35 parts are more widely available and less expensive. Some watchmakers recommend replacing NH35 movements entirely rather than servicing—the economics favor replacement at $30-40 wholesale cost.

Which movement is better for a first automatic watch?

Seiko NH35 movements in watches under $300 offer the best entry point. You get genuine automatic movement experience with low financial risk. If the watch gets damaged or requires service, costs stay manageable. Graduate to Swiss movements later if the label matters to you.

Do Grand Seiko movements compare to top Swiss movements?

Absolutely. Grand Seiko's 9S and 9R calibers compete directly with movements from Rolex, Omega, and Patek Philippe. The Spring Drive technology offers accuracy Swiss movements cannot match (±1 sec/day). At the high end, Japanese and Swiss watchmaking achieve parity—the affordable tier difference doesn't extend to luxury.

Conclusion

The Seiko vs Swiss debate ultimately reduces to priorities rather than objective superiority. Seiko movements win on value and practicality: lower purchase prices, cheaper servicing, and universal parts availability make them ideal for budget-conscious buyers and daily wearers. Swiss movements win on finishing and prestige: superior decoration, the "Swiss Made" cachet, and stronger resale value appeal to traditional watch buyers.

For most practical purposes, both movement families perform identically. A regulated NH35 keeps time as well as a regulated ETA 2824. Both survive decades of use. The daily experience of wearing either differs only in what you know about the movement inside.

Choose Seiko for value. Choose Swiss for prestige. Either way, you're getting proven engineering that will serve you well for years. The best movement is the one powering a watch you actually enjoy wearing.