Namica Shirahama 2 challenges Seiko in affordable dive watches

A Japanese microbrand offers a bright, feature packed diver at a budget price, taking aim at Seiko's traditional stronghold.

Namica Shirahama 2 challenges Seiko in affordable dive watches

Namica enters the affordable diver market with the Shirahama 2, a budget watch from Japan built to stand out. The watch features a lumed sapphire bezel with the bottom half white and fully lumed, a sapphire crystal with anti reflective coating, and a tall chamfer on the dial that creates a sense of depth. It arrives in four colorways, expanding visual options for budget-minded buyers. The Shirahama 2 is pitched as the anti-Seiko, delivering strong specs at a low price and signaling a shift in how microbrands compete with established names in the timepiece world. The move mirrors a broader industry trend where Seiko has largely moved upmarket and many microbrands offer equal or better value at lower costs, reshaping the competitive landscape for affordable divers.

The Namica Shirahama 2 launch illustrates how microbrands are redefining what value means in the budget segment. By pairing bold design with compelling specs, it appeals to buyers who want personality as well as performance. The branding as anti-Seiko underscores a calculated strategy to attract shoppers who prize distinctiveness over a long brand legacy. At the same time, durability, after sales service, and long term reliability will determine whether the watch remains a bright flash or becomes a lasting choice.

Highlights

Time will test whether bold design translates into lasting value.