Seiko 4R (4R34, 4R35, 4R36 and 4R38)

Seiko’s workhorse automatic: 24 jewels, 41 hours, hacking seconds and hand winding.

A watch movement, with its bridges and wheels

In figures

41 hPower reserve
21,600Beats per hour
YesHacking seconds
YesHand winding
10In the catalogue
€275From

What it is

The 4R family is the automatic movement Seiko fits to almost all its watches under €700: the 5 Sports, the Presage Cocktail Time and entry-level Prospex models such as the Turtle. It beats at 21,600 per hour, gives about 41 hours of reserve and, unlike older Seiko automatics, it hacks when you pull the crown and can be wound by hand.

The versions share a base and differ in what they show: the 4R35 has a date, the 4R36 day and date, the 4R34 adds a 24-hour hand for a second time zone and the 4R38 shows the balance wheel through an opening in the dial.

It is not the most accurate at its price, but it is tough, common and cheap to maintain: every watchmaker knows it and parts are everywhere.

For a first Japanese automatic you can wear every day without worrying.

Maker: Seiko. The figures on this page come from each watch’s spec sheet.

Watches that use it

Seiko 5 on a nylon strap
Seiko 5 Sports Field
4R36, 41 h, Hardlex, 100 m, 39.4 mm
€275–310
Scale drawing of the Seiko 5 Sports Suits: 40 mm diameter, 44.6 mm lug-to-lug and 11.5 mm thick
Seiko 5 Sports Suits
4R36, 41 h, Hardlex, 100 m, 40 mm
€275–310
Seiko SKX009 with a blue and red bezel
Seiko 5 Sports
4R36, 41 h, Hardlex, 100 m, 42.5 mm
€285–320
Seiko Turtle on the wrist
Seiko Prospex Turtle PADI
4R36, 41 h, Hardlex, 200 m, 45 mm
€390–440
Scale drawing of the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time: 40.5 mm diameter, 47.5 mm lug-to-lug and 11.8 mm thick
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time
4R35, 41 h, Hardlex, 50 m, 40.5 mm
€395–445
Seiko 5 Sports GMT in its box
Seiko 5 Sports GMT
4R34, 41 h, Hardlex, 100 m, 42.5 mm
€420–470
Scale drawing of the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Open Heart: 40.5 mm diameter, 47.5 mm lug-to-lug and 11.8 mm thick
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Open Heart
4R38, 41 h, Hardlex, 50 m, 40.5 mm
€440–490
Scale drawing of the Seiko Prospex King Samurai PADI: 43.8 mm diameter, 48.7 mm lug-to-lug and 12.8 mm thick
Seiko Prospex King Samurai PADI
4R35, 41 h, sapphire, 200 m, 43.8 mm
€530–580
Scale drawing of the Seiko Prospex King Turtle PADI: 45 mm diameter, 47.7 mm lug-to-lug and 13.2 mm thick
Seiko Prospex King Turtle PADI
4R36, 41 h, sapphire, 200 m, 45 mm
€550–600
Scale drawing of the Seiko Presage Style 60's GMT: 40.8 mm diameter, 47 mm lug-to-lug and 13 mm thick
Seiko Presage Style 60's GMT
4R34, 41 h, Hardlex, 50 m, 40.8 mm
€600–660

Frequently asked questions

Which watches use the Seiko 4R (4R34, 4R35, 4R36 and 4R38)?

In the catalogue, the Seiko 5 Sports Field, Seiko 5 Sports Suits, Seiko 5 Sports, Seiko Prospex Turtle PADI, Seiko Presage Cocktail Time, Seiko 5 Sports GMT, Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Open Heart, Seiko Prospex King Samurai PADI, Seiko Prospex King Turtle PADI and Seiko Presage Style 60's GMT.

How much power reserve does the Seiko 4R (4R34, 4R35, 4R36 and 4R38) have?

41 hours, according to each manufacturer’s data.

Which is the least expensive watch with this movement?

The Seiko 5 Sports Field, with an indicative price band of €275–310.

Other movements