Seiko debuts new compact rectangular solar watches thinner than a Cartier Tank

Seiko has four new rectangular watches coming in November. All four of them are smaller than a Cartier Tank.

The HFJ001P, HFJ002P, HFJ003P and HFJ004P are joining Seiko Selection in Japan. Each case is 27.4 mm long, 18 mm wide and 5.9 mm thick. If you compare that against a Tank Must small model at 29.5 x 22 mm and 6.6 mm thick, the Seiko is smaller in every direction.

The tiny watches are powered by caliber V115. It is solar, and it drives two hands. No seconds hand, no date. Seiko quotes plus or minus 15 seconds a month, roughly twelve months of running time from a full charge, and overcharge protection. The movement is oblong, at 11.8 x 15.5 mm and 2.09 mm thick. That shape is why the case can stay this narrow.

Solar is much more important here than it sounds. Small quartz watches eat small batteries, and prying open an 18 mm case every couple of years can get old fast. Seiko has deleted that chore altogether.

The four are split by finish. HFJ001P comes with a steel bracelet under a white dial. HFJ002P takes the same bracelet in gold tone. HFJ003P is rose-gold-toned on brown cowhide, and HFJ004P pairs a gold-tone case with a black dial and black cowhide. Printed Roman numerals are visible inside a finely ruled border on every dial. The bracelets close with a one-push triple-fold clasp, and Seiko rates all four as magnetic resistant.

The glass is Hardlex. Water resistance is daily-life only. Both are the expected compromises at this money for a dress watch like this.

The two leather models start at 35,200 yen, about $223. HFJ001P is priced at 38,500 yen and HFJ002P at 41,800 yen, roughly $244 and $264. A bracelet costs 3,300 yen over leather, and gold tone another 3,300 yen.

There's one catch, however. Seiko flags all four as shop-only models, so they will not appear on its own online store.