September has been a great month for JDM watch fans, and this is exactly the kind of release our Watches Of Japan customers have been asking us about. Seiko has dropped a wave of new pieces this month — and the standout is a genuinely fun one: a Seiko 5 Sports collaboration with Honda, celebrating 45 years of the Honda Motocompo, that iconic little fold-up scooter that used to fit neatly in the boot of a Honda City back in the 1980s.
A tribute built for people who know the reference
If you grew up around Japanese cars and bikes, or you've spent any time down a JDM rabbit hole online, you'll know exactly why this collaboration matters. The Motocompo was one of those wonderfully odd, brilliantly practical Honda ideas — a scooter you could fold up and stash in your car boot, then unfold and ride the last stretch to wherever you were going. It became a cult favourite almost by accident, and 45 years on, it's still one of the most instantly recognisable pieces of Honda design history.
Seiko's tribute watch doesn't try to be a costume piece. The design nods to the Motocompo's distinctive look and colourway without being literal about it, while the case and movement underneath are pure Seiko 5 Sports — the same proven reliability and everyday wearability the line is known for. It's a limited run of 8,000 pieces, so it won't be around forever, but it's also priced to actually be worn rather than shelved as a display piece. At around USD $500 (we'll confirm exact local retail once stock is confirmed), it's an accessible way to own a genuine piece of Honda and Seiko crossover history.
Not the only new arrival this month
The Motocompo watch is the headline, but it's not travelling alone. Seiko has also added new pieces to its Presage line featuring enamel and urushi-lacquer dials — a traditional Japanese lacquering technique that gives the dial real depth and a subtly shifting look depending on the light, something that photos genuinely don't do justice to in person. Alongside that, new Prospex Speedtimer chronographs have joined the lineup too, continuing Seiko's ongoing motorsport-inspired chronograph story with the same solid, wearable build the Speedtimer name has built its reputation on.
Why this matters for our customers
For anyone building a JDM-focused collection, or simply looking for a genuine slice of Japanese watchmaking culture without ultra-luxury pricing, September is shaping up to be a strong month to pay attention to Seiko. We'd suggest putting the Motocompo piece front and centre in-store and online — it has the kind of story that sells itself once customers hear the connection to the scooter. Pair it with a quick word about the Motocompo's history and you've got a conversation starter as much as a watch sale.
Purchase online via this link — with only 8,000 pieces worldwide, we expect this one to move quickly once it lands.
