Seiko Caliber NE57 Watch Movement

Manufacturer	Seiko
Caliber Number	NE57, NE57A
Movement Type	Automatic, self-winding mechanical
Lignes	12”’
Diameter	27.4mm
casing Diameter	29.36mm
Thickness	6.63mm
Jewels	29
Vibrations Per Hour	21,600 bph (3 Hz)
Lift Angle	53 degrees (needs confirmed)
Power Reserve	~41 hours
Hand Windable?	Yes
Hand-Winding Direction	Clockwise
Rotor Type	Ball-bearing
Rotor Winding Direction	Bi-Directional (Magic Lever)
Anti-Shock System	Seiko Diashock
Regulator System	ETACHRON
Hand Count	5 hands
Functions	Central hours; central minutes; central sweeping seconds; pointer date calendar subdial at 6:00; power reserve indicator spanning from ~8:30 to 1:30
Hacking Seconds?	Yes
Country of Manufacture	Japan or Malaysia? (see below)
Known Models	(Add your watch in the comments below…)

The Seiko Instruments/TMI caliber NE57 (NE57A) is an automatic movement with a power reserve indicator and date subdial. This caliber has been available to non-Seiko watch brands since at least 2017.

Some of the topics covered in this caliber listing:

Caliber NE57 VS Seiko 4R57:

The caliber 4R57 is basically a Seiko-only version of the NE57. Seiko Instruments (aka SII or TMI) sells the NE57 to other manufacturers for use in non-Seiko watches.

Interesting note: Although the 4R57 features a power reserve indicator spanning from about 10:00 to 4:00, the SII drawings for the NE57 show the power reserve located from about 8:30 to 1:30.

Differences Between NE57 and NE57A?

The A indicates that it is the first generation of this caliber. NE57 and NE57A are the same. Subsequent letters indicate updates to the base caliber.

Accuracy Rating:

TMI claims that the accuracy of caliber NE57 is between -20 to +40 seconds per day. This rating is based on normal daily wear on the wrist in temperatures between 2 ºC and 23 ºC. When testing your watch for timekeeping, make sure it is fully wound.

Crown Position Functions:

0 (against the case): Clockwise = Manual Winding / Counterclockwise = Nothing
1 (pulled out one click): Clockwise = Nothing / Counterclockwise = Date setting
2 (pulled out two clicks): Time setting clockwise and counterclockwise

Stem Removal:

To remove the stem, make sure the crown is in position 0 or normal position (not date or time setting position). There is a lever with a small indentation for your tool. Gently press down while pulling the stem out. See official instructions below for more guidance:

Seiko Caliber 4r36 Stem Removal

Country of Origin:

Official documentation lists two reference numbers for the NE57 based on country of origin:

NE57A1J (made in Japan)
NE57A1MN (made in Malaysia)

The same official documentation also has some notable inconsistencies – not only within its own context, but also with real life experience with the movement. For example, the document shows that there are two rotor versions based on country of origin:

However, in the variation section, the information is different. The charts shows that the Malaysia-made version (NE57A1MN) does not have anything written for the C/O (country of origin) Marking on Rotor:

While this could be summed up to an error in the document, it is consistent with Caliber Corner’s findings over the years: that the non-Japan movements are more commonly not found with a country of origin marking.

This causes caliber confusion throughout the watch community as most brands using such movements are still listing them as “Made in Japan” or “Japan Movement”. This is inaccurate and deceptive, whether the parent company is from Japan or not, if the movement was manufactured in Malaysia, then it was not made in Japan.

It appears that Seiko/SII/TMI is deliberate with their absence of C/O Marking on Rotor on movements produced outside of Japan.

Furthermore, although calibers like this are listed as having a Japanese version, you will be hard-pressed to actually find one with the Japan engraving on the rotor.