I recently bought an SNK381 for myself because of this video. I love the heritage, and the legible dial with the big numbers. Thanks for telling us about this watch!
I can't even begin to tell you how much this meant to me. My late husband (Beloved) served four tours in this area...I know he would be joking around with you and a few of the guys who made some comments here. I want to laugh and cry at the same time 👍❤️💜💜💜💜 So odd that I saw this today... our beautiful Daughter and I lost him- September- 90
I am an enthusiast and I did serve in Vietnam and I do collect Seiko watches and yes I do have one of the three models you highlighted, thanks for the presentation.
Thank you for your service. My dad had a seiko automatic i just ordered one for me and my son, My son is in the Marines, I hope it last him and he gets a connection with it like so many of us for different reasons of course.
I have always been a huge fan of Vietnam War watches, but they are all way out of my price range. Then I discovered this video. I hunted this watch down immediately! It cost me a little over $100 and this stealth SOG homage watch is my #1 favorite in my modest watch collection. Thanks so much for making this video bro!
I finally pulled the trigger on this one, thanks in part to this video. Glad I did. I love the dial, the legibility and lume. It's a fantastic little field watch with an intriguing backstory that looks amazing on an olive NATO. Originally, I didn't like the shiny case or the leaf handset. Now I wouldn't have them any other way. Best part: unlike my SNK809, my SNK381KI is a surprisingly accurate timepiece. After nearly a month on wrist, it's dead-on, every time. I absolutely love this thing. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Keep up the great work!
Such a fan of it too... Those SOG knives were insane. Beautifully finished, elegant lines. And thank you for the comment, brother! This history always makes for great talking points 🥃
What a wonderful surprise viewing. Didn’t know what to expect but enjoyed this one. Learned a little, and smiled you dropping some info on your Dad. Great vid on a cool little watch!
Just got my SNK 381K1 in hand. Sure takes me back. Served as a Corpsman with the 11th Armored Cavalry in Vietnam, 1970. Wore a Seiko that so far as my greying memory cells tell me, is a dead ringer for this new one. The MOST exciting thing…when placed on the last micro adjust point the stock bracelet actually fits my very large wrist. I still need to get used to how small it looks. I don’t think we ever even thought about that aspect back then.
Dang it, I really love the design on this Seiko, clean and simple. I had it in my collection, but just a few months ago I asked my brother to pick one watch from my collection as a gift, and guess which one he picked? hahaha guess I will have to look for a replacement.
Amazing... Goes to show that there are a lot of us who have good taste in watches. I hope your brother is still enjoying it! The beauty is they're still around for us to steal (everyone's looking at the newly released pieces, so now's the time to strike) 😉
That's the wrisk you run when your so generous...easy be replaced .But your Brother has a fabulas watch ..I bought * two and gifted one to my son he loves it im 60 he's 30
I have an SNX427, an ancestor of this model from 2008. Very rare today. I too have more expensive watches, but my little Seiko on a Speidel flex band is my daily wear, relegating the others to the closet. Less expensive is sometimes way better!
Mentioned this a couple of times already in the comments but this lil Seiko 5 could be the only Seiko in the collection. Thinking of doing a hand swap, maybe adding an NH35 and sapphire crystal. The think would be a bomb! And you're right, there's so much enjoyment to be found in these less expensive machines. Thank you for this Glyn! Love your SNX427 🥃
Exactly right! I saw it somewhere too that everyone was clamouring for Rolexes and the guy in charge of sourcing them said "Nope, too expensive, sorry" 😆
An uncle of mine was in SF in those days (not MACV-SOG, but CIDG/Mike Force). The career guys wore Rolex and Ray Bans, but they had to buy their own. There's also a book called "Aaron Banks' Children" that describes a typical SF sergeant as someone who would show at Fort Bragg a couple times a year with a bag of laundry, a Rolex, and an erection.
Few productions - like this one - thanks ! - propel me immediately from the video to the marketplace, to snag the watch. Now I wait for its arrival. Keep this rich source alive!
I'm so happy it's resonated with someone out there Neel 😆 I also had no idea it was affiliated at all! Complete accident stumbling on this watch one evening and being caught off guard. Ah, I love it so much. Could be the only Seiko in my collection now... a few little modifications (Hands, Movement, crystal) and this watch will be so, so ideal. Thank you as always brother!
Found your video just as I was considering buying one for myself. There was something striking about the SNK381, but there were similar ones, like the SNK391 and SNK393 that I kept going back and forth on. The eloquent summary of this SNK381's heritage and design was the nudge to help me decide. Thanks for these great videos!
Well, looks like I'll be buying one of these. That seconds hand is crying out to be red so that's an obvious mod for me, can't wait to see what you're doing for yours. Hope you had a great weekend and thanks for the content as always.
Well done. These watches are as clandestine as the men that wore them in SE Asia. Very difficult to find on the grey market, but they do occasionally surface. I wasn’t aware of the Seiko 5 reference for this watch. As u said, very easy to get caught up in the variety and choices . What a little gem 💎
I'd be so happy to find one of the originals in superb condition to pair with vintage Smiths W10's from the same time (virtually impossible over here in the UK) But that 7005... what a looker! Thanks for this, brother. So chuffed to have found this particular reference and stumbling on such a covert backstory 🥃
Damn, of all the videos ive ever watched, this has come among the closest to making me want to just go a buy a watch online on an impulse. Brilliant exploration! My Father In Law had a Seiko 5 SNK809 for 6 years and gifted it to me. Its amazing, its all bashed up and has a lot of history. Very comfortable.
Have this watch and a few things stands out to me: - Dial has no blemish - markers across the board have great finish - The date wheels numbers are incredibly crisp. In fact, it’s actually better than my king Seiko and Seiko Alpinist. When I hear people complain about Seiko quality charging more for less quality, I remember this watch.
Oh my, another Seiko 5 I need before it's $300. I've bought 3 in the past few months for ~$88 avg from Joma and eBay. There are so many cool designs. Thanks for this video!
Great little pieces offering so much for so little. Got my Snkl23 with credit card points and was stunned by its beauty. On a proper strap it looks a million bucks. Cheers
I first saw this watch in a shop in Bangkok, but did not pull the trigger on it,instead I bought an Orient. I always thought it was such an unique watch and after I saw your video I bought it a couple of hours later.This is my 4th Seiko 5 but I only have one left, I sold the others. It was a watch that started my collecting journey and now I'm back to it.Thank you for reminding me what great and unique pieces these Seiko 5s were and still are.A true testament that everybody can afford a great automatic watch.
Great video. Great informations...Despite already owning a total of 14 seiko watches from seiko 5 to Marinemaster 300.....but I have not owned seiko with numbers dials! With rich military history on MACV SOG missions in Vietnam ( I owned a Willard already) , I have ordered this snk381, too...cannot wait to receive mine soon! Tqvm IDGuy!
I’ve just purchased one of these & the field watch itch has finally been scratched. I hope that this item lasts my lifetime. Thank you so much for your detailed historical research 🙌
@@autostereoptic Must say, I didn't even size my bracelet. Took it off immediately and put it on a nato strap 😆 BUT these on leather just sing... Blows me away that it looks the way it does next to $1k+ watches
Your review sold this watch to me! I have the SNKE51K1 and the SNXS97, and I was looking into getting another piece of an old SEIKO 5 series, and while researching the internet for the SNK809, I have stumbled upon your review. I didn't know of the existence of this model and I was blown away. Id say that SNK809 has quite of an identity crisis, and wants to be a field watch, flinger, all this time while being too small for it's design.
Some months ago I bought exactly this watch at the Seiko Outlet in Holland, threw off the bracelet replacing it with the exact same kind of strap (just not from Omega). Good to see my slightly spur-of-the-moment choice backed by a design expert.
Such a great machine Michael... I also love that the models are so covert that even the hardcore collectors today don't recognise them. I'd love to feature it on Wrist-Shot Week one day on the channel... it's one of those pieces I'd love to "collect" as a part of the series, y'know? Huge congratulations for finding one and picking it up. That's a true heirloom watch 🥃
great video and thanks for the history lesson. the seiko 5 line does bring us back to a time when a dependable, reliable, mass produced watch could be had for a very reasosnable price. that's what seiko brought to the table and that's why there is a cult-like following around so many of their models. unfortunately this ended just a few years ago, when they went upscale with their pricing. i have an SKX, a SARB017 alpinist, a SARB065 original cocktail time, these watches have been discontinued and their successors either have lesser movements or higher prices or both
Those brave men ...This Seiko is perfect.. wonderfull proportions easy to read ..Just a classic modern reflection of a situation that lets face it ..would take a very special person to do what thay did ....This dial is perfect ..Great IdGuy episode Thankyou
I bought this one a few years ago. I've just started watching, and enjoying your videos. I was thrilled to come across this one! I agree there are some great watches within the range. Not just the SNKL23.
Awesome video IDGuy, thanks for bringing this watch and it's history to my attention. Even though I'm in save mode currently, as soon as the video finished, I was internet shopping for it. Picked up a right deal. All the best mate, regards Rosco
Great video, great job on the history and beautiful photography. You really gave your time, credit and historical respect to a very simple understated, and inexpensive piece. So many time these simple, great pieces unfortunately, get walked by and overlooked in favor of the over-hyped marketing blitz watches. Great video, thank you and keep up the good work. Wish you and yours and safe, healthy and happy 2022.
Excellent review on a watch often overlooked as a serious player during the Vietnam era. As a Marine officer I saw these in addition to mechanical Seiko dive watches. Available in PX stores in country and on Okinawa. In Addition to a Rolex GMT Master which I bought in the PX st Camp Butler, I wore a Hamilton-manufactured GG-W-113 a friendly Supply Sgt obtained for me.
I bought a brand new Rolex Oyster for about $70 at the Navy exchange at Yokouska, Japan in 1965. Screw down crown, metal bracelet, and good water resistance was perfect for shipboard life. Swam off the ship in the middle of the Pacific, body surfed in Hawaii and wore it 24/7 from Manilla to Honolulu to Nova Scotia to Brazil and then wore it for another 15 years at home before I sold it to a friend. Should’a kept it. Recently bought an SNK381 and love it. Wearing it right now on a black 2-piece nylon.
I bought mine back in 2019 I’m glad you made the connection, I thought it at the time. The strap on yours cost more than the watch :) They make them in different colours. Thank you for this video.
After looking for a while, this was my first purchase into the mechanical watch realm, and I love it. When I look at watches it strikes me as odd that finding a simple dial like this can be a chore. I abhor large watches, so this is perfect for me. I agree on the bang for buck on the new 5 line up, but there are some that are calling to me none the less. Next will be a Pressage though. That sharp edge series just does it for me. Cheers!
Excellent video!! My only requirement though is I prefer sapphire. Also I feel people dont give sapphire enough credit for being shatter resistant, which I seen it actually beat out mineral crystal in shatter test. For price I feel an Islander is better equipped for the job.
Great point on sapphire. All watches in my small collection (excluding this and vintage) are sapphire crystals and I'd trust them far more than this glass. It's the one thing about Seiko is they only up their watches to Sapphire by the time they reach the Prospex category (by then you're paying excess of $1k in a lot of cases) - good shout for Islander too! 🥃
Another similar, slightly larger (39mm) modern Seiko 5 is the SNKK35K1. Think I prefer the pencil handset on that one better than the (subpar, as you mentioned) leaf hands on the SNK381K1. Spencer Klein did some interesting videos about the various Vietnam-era Seikos a while back on his channel. Cool video! Love your channel!
Love that earlier reference Floyd and you're right about the hands. I'm going to send this off one day to get the hands replaced with more genuine Seiko 5 obelisk hands. But they're beauties! And yes! Loved listening to Spencers takes on these models. Think he's one of the only people to have ever talked about these Seiko's in detail before (And he's had so many come in and out of his workshop) Such a fascinating history linked to the models. Keep wearing yours in good health, sir and thank you! 🥃
@@ID-Guy you know, these present day hands work, if you need legibility they hit the requirement. I think modifying the hands would be like, say, fitting old wheels from a mark 1 Golf to a modern car. Would clash with the applied markers. Just leave it alone and it may grow on you.
Great review . .Never knew the vietnam legacy of this beauty. .Thank you for sharing. .. . I did manage to get one of these few years ago, and it looks awsome on a bond NATO strap. . .
After looking at a lot of watches (including some expensive ones) for the past week, I took the plunge on this watch after watching your video. This watch was not even in my radar. It was a last minute choice. Will definitely swap the strap to a tan cowhide leather.
Awesome review, brother. I'm very new to the Seiko line-up. In fact, I only have one single Seiko 5 in my tiny collection of functional watches. Based on your review of this particular line of Seiko 5, I will be actively looking for a MACV-SOG specimen here in SE Asia. I like its ruggedness, simplicity, reliability, and provenance. I am a veteran myself and an avid flyfisherman--- I tend to gravitate towards gear that exhibit those qualities, especially at an affordable price range. They have to function well under conditions way worse than in a display case in my condo. Thanks, and have a great new year's. AL
I love mine , completely agree with you on everything here , great value for money solid watch .👍I have mine on a thick shark mesh , looks fantastic and breathes better than any strap 👍
This is a great history of Vietnam era military watches? Thank You so much! Now I've got to get my hands on an SNK 381 K1 ( I hope those are the right numbers)!
Your old man worked with special forces types in Rhodesia? Please elaborate, that sounds interesting as hell. Also great video about one of my favorite seiko models. Love you channel
I purchased one through Jomashop several weeks ago. $116 after tax, bought it before inventory was gone, and regretted not buying 2. I have 7.5 inch wrist and wear the watch on the original bracelet. The bracelet visually hides the short lug to lug. I also own its modern Seiko 5 srpg27k1. This snk381k1 will probably be my last Seiko purchase for now.
I have one, and despite it’s small size I still love it. Very legible and easy to read. The day and date are also easy to see due to good contrast and decent size window.
very good video, the same happens to me to the point that this is the only seiko in my collection, to be a piece that costs less than 100 dollars the quality of this watch is incredible
Something in my gut tells me this will end up being the only Seiko in my collection soon. Send it off to swap out the hands (maybe add an NH35 Movement and Sapphire crystal) What else do you need? Such a fantastic machine. It's so good to know that the community loves these Seiko 5's for the right reasons 😉🥃
Recently I bought the Lorus equivalent with the 7S26C movement inside, solid link bracelet, superluminova lume and a pilot watch dial and hands which am wearing at mo and what a spot on watch so if you want something different than a 5, the Lorus and Pulsar offerings are worthy options.
Thanks for another insightful and entertaining video. I have entirely given up on finding a convincing post-WWII military style watch - no manufacturer ever gets it right. Seems there is the rather large, ubiquitous Khaki Field and the stark, poorly specked G10, and that’s it. All the rest is just ridiculously large, kitchen clock dials, clumsy dial typography and layouts, antiquated designs, “tactical” nonsense, indecisive random styles. To me the “field watch style” is entirely about understatement: that certain restrained masculinity, hinted nostalgia, earnestness, minimalism - sort of like a Japanese Haiku poem. Due to its simplicity it is a surprisingly subtle, delicate style, mercilessly exposing even the slightest inconsistencies and aesthetical flaws. My currently worn field watch is a Seiko: the SUS reissue which is basically a decidedly youthful nineties designer’s interpretation of the gorgeous Mark 11 pilot watch. It is not a Mark 11 but it is at least expertly and plausibly designed.
Take a look at the Tom Rice A-11. It's the closest to a true WWII military field watch I've ever seen. It's not overly large at 38mm. It may be a junker but with the Sekio NH-35 movement as long as the rest of it is put together well it should be okay. I love it as the face is unbranded just like the watches issued at that time. Further it has the seconds instead of the 24 hour time, which seems to have come around after WWII.
Great little piece!! I put mine on a 20mm Black Tropic Strap, so comfortable!! Their straps run small in the lugs more like a 19mm so it works wonderfully. I see you put yours on an Omega 19mm, similar idea....
Excellent review. I see this model is still being sold and thus I wonder if Seiko really discountinues the production of the entry level movement 7S26. This model can be obtained for less than 130€ as brand new, and is a bargain for the automatic watch with day date complication.
Great review of an exceptional watch by Seiko. I have the green and white dial variants. The green which is quite difficult to find I got from a watch enthusiast for $42. Will get the black dial next. 😊
Thank you Sam. Loved this one (mainly because it was one of those "awakenings" into the wider world of simple watches for a change) Always great to tie in a bit of history too 😉
IDGuy thanks for the review of this affordable watch. I can see why military people are attracted to its simple, clear, legible look and large numerals. In the field, they have only a second to take one quick look and see the time.
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I recently bought an SNK381 for myself because of this video. I love the heritage, and the legible dial with the big numbers. Thanks for telling us about this watch!
Me to broo
I can't even begin to tell you how much this meant to me. My late husband (Beloved) served four tours in this area...I know he would be joking around with you and a few of the guys who made some comments here. I want to laugh and cry at the same time 👍❤️💜💜💜💜 So odd that I saw this today... our beautiful Daughter and I lost him- September- 90
Sorry for your loss. The things we leave behind can hold so much meaning.
Seiko is the most fun to collect! Affordable quality! Great variations!
They really are... and now I've fallen down the Casio Rabbit hole...Between Seiko's and Casio's you have infinity to play with ;)
The best part about seiko is they do not need much service compared to Swiss watches that burn our pocket each time we service 😁
I have three of the 37-39mm Seiko 5s. I absolutely love them. I can wear a slightly larger watch, but I've come to appreciate the smaller watches.
I am an enthusiast and I did serve in Vietnam and I do collect Seiko watches and yes I do have one of the three models you highlighted, thanks for the presentation.
Thank you for your service. My dad had a seiko automatic i just ordered one for me and my son, My son is in the Marines, I hope it last him and he gets a connection with it like so many of us for different reasons of course.
In the military and this has been my daily wearer for the past 2 years. lovely little gem.
Even better to know this! You were onboard with these before me, love it! I really hope they receive the credit they deserve 🥃
I have always been a huge fan of Vietnam War watches, but they are all way out of my price range. Then I discovered this video. I hunted this watch down immediately! It cost me a little over $100 and this stealth SOG homage watch is my #1 favorite in my modest watch collection. Thanks so much for making this video bro!
I finally pulled the trigger on this one, thanks in part to this video. Glad I did. I love the dial, the legibility and lume. It's a fantastic little field watch with an intriguing backstory that looks amazing on an olive NATO. Originally, I didn't like the shiny case or the leaf handset. Now I wouldn't have them any other way. Best part: unlike my SNK809, my SNK381KI is a surprisingly accurate timepiece. After nearly a month on wrist, it's dead-on, every time. I absolutely love this thing. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Keep up the great work!
Love SOG history, the last knife I made was inspired by one of their favourites. Thanks for the cool vid mate
Such a fan of it too... Those SOG knives were insane. Beautifully finished, elegant lines. And thank you for the comment, brother! This history always makes for great talking points 🥃
What a wonderful surprise viewing. Didn’t know what to expect but enjoyed this one. Learned a little, and smiled you dropping some info on your Dad. Great vid on a cool little watch!
Just got my SNK 381K1 in hand. Sure takes me back. Served as a Corpsman with the 11th Armored Cavalry in Vietnam, 1970. Wore a Seiko that so far as my greying memory cells tell me, is a dead ringer for this new one. The MOST exciting thing…when placed on the last micro adjust point the stock bracelet actually fits my very large wrist. I still need to get used to how small it looks. I don’t think we ever even thought about that aspect back then.
Dang it, I really love the design on this Seiko, clean and simple. I had it in my collection, but just a few months ago I asked my brother to pick one watch from my collection as a gift, and guess which one he picked? hahaha guess I will have to look for a replacement.
Amazing... Goes to show that there are a lot of us who have good taste in watches. I hope your brother is still enjoying it! The beauty is they're still around for us to steal (everyone's looking at the newly released pieces, so now's the time to strike) 😉
That's the wrisk you run when your so generous...easy be replaced .But your Brother has a fabulas watch ..I bought * two and gifted one to my son he loves it im 60 he's 30
I have an SNX427, an ancestor of this model from 2008. Very rare today. I too have more expensive watches, but my little Seiko on a Speidel flex band is my daily wear, relegating the others to the closet. Less expensive is sometimes way better!
Mentioned this a couple of times already in the comments but this lil Seiko 5 could be the only Seiko in the collection. Thinking of doing a hand swap, maybe adding an NH35 and sapphire crystal. The think would be a bomb! And you're right, there's so much enjoyment to be found in these less expensive machines. Thank you for this Glyn! Love your SNX427 🥃
I wish I could remember which book it was in, but sog guys were like we want Rolex. The guy who does purchases was like yeah no you get Seiko 🤣
Exactly right! I saw it somewhere too that everyone was clamouring for Rolexes and the guy in charge of sourcing them said "Nope, too expensive, sorry" 😆
In the military here and we always say that our equipment goes to the lowest bidder lol.
@@Tonyfig123 That's always the way it goes. Good to see that not much has changed over 50 years ;)
An uncle of mine was in SF in those days (not MACV-SOG, but CIDG/Mike Force). The career guys wore Rolex and Ray Bans, but they had to buy their own. There's also a book called "Aaron Banks' Children" that describes a typical SF sergeant as someone who would show at Fort Bragg a couple times a year with a bag of laundry, a Rolex, and an erection.
@@patrickh9937 but seals get Rolex and Tudor issued go figure
Few productions - like this one - thanks ! - propel me immediately from the video to the marketplace, to snag the watch. Now I wait for its arrival. Keep this rich source alive!
Brilliant video!
Quite the fascinating observation you've made, and I concur absolutely.
Thank you for the superb content.👊🏼
My pleasure Marcelo! This was great fun to put together (and the lil Seiko 5 is such a champion!) 🥃
I fell off my chair when I saw this pop up on my feed, a current Mac V SOG! Wow! I never knew this existed! Thanks @idguy for this great little video
I'm so happy it's resonated with someone out there Neel 😆 I also had no idea it was affiliated at all! Complete accident stumbling on this watch one evening and being caught off guard. Ah, I love it so much. Could be the only Seiko in my collection now... a few little modifications (Hands, Movement, crystal) and this watch will be so, so ideal. Thank you as always brother!
Amazing! I was looking for a pilot inspired watch with all numerals applied and this looks great! Buying it now!
Amazing how a $100 watch can make a Longines BigEye look entry level. The dial is very worth it ;)
Found your video just as I was considering buying one for myself. There was something striking about the SNK381, but there were similar ones, like the SNK391 and SNK393 that I kept going back and forth on. The eloquent summary of this SNK381's heritage and design was the nudge to help me decide. Thanks for these great videos!
Well, looks like I'll be buying one of these. That seconds hand is crying out to be red so that's an obvious mod for me, can't wait to see what you're doing for yours. Hope you had a great weekend and thanks for the content as always.
Well done. These watches are as clandestine as the men that wore them in SE Asia. Very difficult to find on the grey market, but they do occasionally surface. I wasn’t aware of the Seiko 5 reference for this watch. As u said, very easy to get caught up in the variety and choices . What a little gem 💎
I'd be so happy to find one of the originals in superb condition to pair with vintage Smiths W10's from the same time (virtually impossible over here in the UK) But that 7005... what a looker! Thanks for this, brother. So chuffed to have found this particular reference and stumbling on such a covert backstory 🥃
@@ID-Guy I’m a sucker for a vintage military watch and a good backstory. The thrill of the chase and learning something new!
Damn, of all the videos ive ever watched, this has come among the closest to making me want to just go a buy a watch online on an impulse. Brilliant exploration! My Father In Law had a Seiko 5 SNK809 for 6 years and gifted it to me. Its amazing, its all bashed up and has a lot of history. Very comfortable.
You did an excellent job on this video. I have watched it numerous times. Love my SNX427. Its a shame Seiko wont be making this anymore.
Have this watch and a few things stands out to me:
- Dial has no blemish
- markers across the board have great finish
- The date wheels numbers are incredibly crisp. In fact, it’s actually better than my king Seiko and Seiko Alpinist.
When I hear people complain about Seiko quality charging more for less quality, I remember this watch.
Oh my, another Seiko 5 I need before it's $300. I've bought 3 in the past few months for ~$88 avg from Joma and eBay. There are so many cool designs. Thanks for this video!
Great little pieces offering so much for so little. Got my Snkl23 with credit card points and was stunned by its beauty. On a proper strap it looks a million bucks. Cheers
Agreed, they're so awesome. Yours is like a presage! Blows me away how so much value can be found in such an inexpensive watch 🥃
I first saw this watch in a shop in Bangkok, but did not pull the trigger on it,instead I bought an Orient. I always thought it was such an unique watch and after I saw your video I bought it a couple of hours later.This is my 4th Seiko 5 but I only have one left, I sold the others. It was a watch that started my collecting journey and now I'm back to it.Thank you for reminding me what great and unique pieces these Seiko 5s were and still are.A true testament that everybody can afford a great automatic watch.
A lot of people complain about seiko hardlex covers, but i think on a field watch, some scratches add character.
Thank you for review. i've had this watch for 5 years..i still love it...did not know about the Vietnam link...cool
Wow, excellent historical account of the Vietnam Seikos. You opened my mind to these SNK versions I didn't even consider. Great upload!
Great video. Great informations...Despite already owning a total of 14 seiko watches from seiko 5 to Marinemaster 300.....but I have not owned seiko with numbers dials! With rich military history on MACV SOG missions in Vietnam ( I owned a Willard already) , I have ordered this snk381, too...cannot wait to receive mine soon! Tqvm IDGuy!
I might send my Seiko 5 snk809 for wrist shot week. Great video as always !
Would love it Junior and thank you! These Seiko 5's all deserve a place in our collections, they're too good to ignore 🥃
I’ve just purchased one of these & the field watch itch has finally been scratched. I hope that this item lasts my lifetime. Thank you so much for your detailed historical research 🙌
Where did you find one?
@@jonathansaul4349 Amazon 👌
Very good History of the Seiko 5 and beutifuly notated. Thank you.
Got the same watch and love it. Thanks for featuring this.
My pleasure! A real hidden gem with such a gorgeous dial! I hope you've been wearing the heck out of it like I have Walter and thank you! 🥃
@@ID-Guy Replaced the bracelet with a Hirsch Liberty strap on mine, and is now a looker just like yours.
@@autostereoptic Must say, I didn't even size my bracelet. Took it off immediately and put it on a nato strap 😆 BUT these on leather just sing... Blows me away that it looks the way it does next to $1k+ watches
@@ID-Guy Definitely agree.
I'm loving this watch. It's small but so clean and well balanced. Keep em coming...
Your review sold this watch to me! I have the SNKE51K1 and the SNXS97, and I was looking into getting another piece of an old SEIKO 5 series, and while researching the internet for the SNK809, I have stumbled upon your review. I didn't know of the existence of this model and I was blown away. Id say that SNK809 has quite of an identity crisis, and wants to be a field watch, flinger, all this time while being too small for it's design.
I just bought one. DHL will deliver my SNK 381 to Bogota in a few days. Thank you for a brilliant presentation.
Some months ago I bought exactly this watch at the Seiko Outlet in Holland, threw off the bracelet replacing it with the exact same kind of strap (just not from Omega). Good to see my slightly spur-of-the-moment choice backed by a design expert.
I own the 7005-8030. Previously owned by a collector who sold it to me knowing I was Special Forces. One of the most guarded in my collection.
Such a great machine Michael... I also love that the models are so covert that even the hardcore collectors today don't recognise them. I'd love to feature it on Wrist-Shot Week one day on the channel... it's one of those pieces I'd love to "collect" as a part of the series, y'know? Huge congratulations for finding one and picking it up. That's a true heirloom watch 🥃
@@ID-Guy Sure! How do I send you a picture.
@@michaellogico5613 if you have a gmail account then you can send a pic to this guy's email address written in the description
great video and thanks for the history lesson. the seiko 5 line does bring us back to a time when a dependable, reliable, mass produced watch could be had for a very reasosnable price. that's what seiko brought to the table and that's why there is a cult-like following around so many of their models. unfortunately this ended just a few years ago, when they went upscale with their pricing. i have an SKX, a SARB017 alpinist, a SARB065 original cocktail time, these watches have been discontinued and their successors either have lesser movements or higher prices or both
Those brave men ...This Seiko is perfect.. wonderfull proportions easy to read ..Just a classic modern reflection of a situation that lets face it ..would take a very special person to do what thay did ....This dial is perfect ..Great IdGuy episode Thankyou
I bought this one a few years ago. I've just started watching, and enjoying your videos. I was thrilled to come across this one! I agree there are some great watches within the range. Not just the SNKL23.
This is my favorite watch in my 6-watch collection. The case suits my small wrist very well and the dial and the indices are great to look at.
Awesome video IDGuy, thanks for bringing this watch and it's history to my attention. Even though I'm in save mode currently, as soon as the video finished, I was internet shopping for it. Picked up a right deal. All the best mate, regards Rosco
Great video, great job on the history and beautiful photography. You really gave your time, credit and historical respect to a very simple understated, and inexpensive piece. So many time these simple, great pieces unfortunately, get walked by and overlooked in favor of the over-hyped marketing blitz watches. Great video, thank you and keep up the good work. Wish you and yours and safe, healthy and happy 2022.
Another great review. As a Seiko fan, I think I'll pick one up now that I know it's design lineage.
Excellent review on a watch often overlooked as a serious player during the Vietnam era. As a Marine officer I saw these in addition to mechanical Seiko dive watches. Available in PX stores in country and on Okinawa. In Addition to a Rolex GMT Master which I bought in the PX st Camp Butler, I wore a Hamilton-manufactured GG-W-113 a friendly Supply Sgt obtained for me.
I bought a brand new Rolex Oyster for about $70 at the Navy exchange at Yokouska, Japan in 1965. Screw down crown, metal bracelet, and good water resistance was perfect for shipboard life. Swam off the ship in the middle of the Pacific, body surfed in Hawaii and wore it 24/7 from Manilla to Honolulu to Nova Scotia to Brazil and then wore it for another 15 years at home before I sold it to a friend. Should’a kept it. Recently bought an SNK381 and love it. Wearing it right now on a black 2-piece nylon.
Great informative video. A Seiko 5 field watch is what got me into horology and your video helped me appreciate it again.
Great review of an under the radar Seiko 5 with a lot of military heritage.
I bought mine back in 2019 I’m glad you made the connection, I thought it at the time. The strap on yours cost more than the watch :) They make them in different colours. Thank you for this video.
I bought one because of you and I love it! It’s an awesome watch!
Great video! It is the story that sells the watch to collectors, not just the watch.
Thoroughly enjoyed your review !!!
After looking for a while, this was my first purchase into the mechanical watch realm, and I love it. When I look at watches it strikes me as odd that finding a simple dial like this can be a chore. I abhor large watches, so this is perfect for me. I agree on the bang for buck on the new 5 line up, but there are some that are calling to me none the less. Next will be a Pressage though. That sharp edge series just does it for me. Cheers!
Excellent video!! My only requirement though is I prefer sapphire. Also I feel people dont give sapphire enough credit for being shatter resistant, which I seen it actually beat out mineral crystal in shatter test. For price I feel an Islander is better equipped for the job.
Great point on sapphire. All watches in my small collection (excluding this and vintage) are sapphire crystals and I'd trust them far more than this glass. It's the one thing about Seiko is they only up their watches to Sapphire by the time they reach the Prospex category (by then you're paying excess of $1k in a lot of cases) - good shout for Islander too! 🥃
Doubled the value of the 5 with the Omega strap!😉 Good video.
It didn't even cross my mind actually but you're right! 😆 Quite crazy to think that the leather is probably worth more than the watch...
Another similar, slightly larger (39mm) modern Seiko 5 is the SNKK35K1. Think I prefer the pencil handset on that one better than the (subpar, as you mentioned) leaf hands on the SNK381K1. Spencer Klein did some interesting videos about the various Vietnam-era Seikos a while back on his channel. Cool video! Love your channel!
Love that earlier reference Floyd and you're right about the hands. I'm going to send this off one day to get the hands replaced with more genuine Seiko 5 obelisk hands. But they're beauties! And yes! Loved listening to Spencers takes on these models. Think he's one of the only people to have ever talked about these Seiko's in detail before (And he's had so many come in and out of his workshop) Such a fascinating history linked to the models. Keep wearing yours in good health, sir and thank you! 🥃
@@ID-Guy you know, these present day hands work, if you need legibility they hit the requirement. I think modifying the hands would be like, say, fitting old wheels from a mark 1 Golf to a modern car. Would clash with the applied markers. Just leave it alone and it may grow on you.
Great review . .Never knew the vietnam legacy of this beauty. .Thank you for sharing. .. . I did manage to get one of these few years ago, and it looks awsome on a bond NATO strap. . .
After looking at a lot of watches (including some expensive ones) for the past week, I took the plunge on this watch after watching your video. This watch was not even in my radar. It was a last minute choice. Will definitely swap the strap to a tan cowhide leather.
I have never commented on a YT video before. But, thank you for this one.
Wonderful study of this little gem.
It was a lot of fun Michael and thank you! Quite a big story around such a subtle watch ;)
Awesome review, brother. I'm very new to the Seiko line-up. In fact, I only have one single Seiko 5 in my tiny collection of functional watches. Based on your review of this particular line of Seiko 5, I will be actively looking for a MACV-SOG specimen here in SE Asia. I like its ruggedness, simplicity, reliability, and provenance. I am a veteran myself and an avid flyfisherman--- I tend to gravitate towards gear that exhibit those qualities, especially at an affordable price range. They have to function well under conditions way worse than in a display case in my condo. Thanks, and have a great new year's. AL
Fantastic review. I’m gonna buy one!
Thank you Philip! They're still out there and easy to get your hands on (luckily) ;)
I love mine , completely agree with you on everything here , great value for money solid watch .👍I have mine on a thick shark mesh , looks fantastic and breathes better than any strap 👍
This is a great history of Vietnam era military watches? Thank You so much! Now I've got to get my hands on an SNK 381 K1 ( I hope those are the right numbers)!
Great review! Very insightful!
I just got mine!! Best seiko 5 purchase so far.
Thanks for the Vietnam War references.
Im buying and wearing one of these watches overseas while im on deployment!! Great video thanks
Interesting and new content, very good job. 👏👏👏. The problem is that I have to buy one now 😂😂😂.
Your old man worked with special forces types in Rhodesia? Please elaborate, that sounds interesting as hell. Also great video about one of my favorite seiko models. Love you channel
Finally got to match your voice with face!!! As always appreciate GREAT content!
I purchased one through Jomashop several weeks ago. $116 after tax, bought it before inventory was gone, and regretted not buying 2. I have 7.5 inch wrist and wear the watch on the original bracelet. The bracelet visually hides the short lug to lug. I also own its modern Seiko 5 srpg27k1. This snk381k1 will probably be my last Seiko purchase for now.
I have one, and despite it’s small size I still love it. Very legible and easy to read. The day and date are also easy to see due to good contrast and decent size window.
If you think the day/date on this watch is easy to see, have a look at the Citizen PMD56-2952 !
@@michaellooney1089 …Just took a look at it. Very nice…I could see myself wearing it. Thanks for the heads up!
very good video, the same happens to me to the point that this is the only seiko in my collection, to be a piece that costs less than 100 dollars the quality of this watch is incredible
Something in my gut tells me this will end up being the only Seiko in my collection soon. Send it off to swap out the hands (maybe add an NH35 Movement and Sapphire crystal) What else do you need? Such a fantastic machine. It's so good to know that the community loves these Seiko 5's for the right reasons 😉🥃
I got had this watch sold it Regretted it. They’re very hard to find but I finally got one beautiful watch.
Recently I bought the Lorus equivalent with the 7S26C movement inside, solid link bracelet, superluminova lume and a pilot watch dial and hands which am wearing at mo and what a spot on watch so if you want something different than a 5, the Lorus and Pulsar offerings are worthy options.
Can you please advise of the model numbers for the Pulsar and Lorus watches?
Thanks for another insightful and entertaining video. I have entirely given up on finding a convincing post-WWII military style watch - no manufacturer ever gets it right. Seems there is the rather large, ubiquitous Khaki Field and the stark, poorly specked G10, and that’s it. All the rest is just ridiculously large, kitchen clock dials, clumsy dial typography and layouts, antiquated designs, “tactical” nonsense, indecisive random styles.
To me the “field watch style” is entirely about understatement: that certain restrained masculinity, hinted nostalgia, earnestness, minimalism - sort of like a Japanese Haiku poem. Due to its simplicity it is a surprisingly subtle, delicate style, mercilessly exposing even the slightest inconsistencies and aesthetical flaws.
My currently worn field watch is a Seiko: the SUS reissue which is basically a decidedly youthful nineties designer’s interpretation of the gorgeous Mark 11 pilot watch. It is not a Mark 11 but it is at least expertly and plausibly designed.
Take a look at the Tom Rice A-11. It's the closest to a true WWII military field watch I've ever seen. It's not overly large at 38mm. It may be a junker but with the Sekio NH-35 movement as long as the rest of it is put together well it should be okay. I love it as the face is unbranded just like the watches issued at that time. Further it has the seconds instead of the 24 hour time, which seems to have come around after WWII.
Freaky Friday. I happened to watch this video on Friday the 10th, the same day and date of the featured watch in this video. What a coincidence!
I own this watch as well, but would love to see an actual reissue of the original Macv-Sog
Can you imagine the price?? Released under the Prospex line (no doubt) probably in the ballpark of like $4k - $5k 😆
I bought one, thanks to you. And plan to swap hands and new sapphire glass.
So good I watched it again. It's on my list....
Great little piece!! I put mine on a 20mm Black Tropic Strap, so comfortable!! Their straps run small in the lugs more like a 19mm so it works wonderfully. I see you put yours on an Omega 19mm, similar idea....
thanks very much for the history about the watch
I wore a Tudor 7928 during my two longs tours in Nam... Seiko was quite famous!
This was my COVID-19 watch. Had it on the two weeks I was sick.
Great explanations of a good watch - thx
I own this same watch. I have it on a Strapsco mesh. It absolutely rocks everytime I put it on.
Great video as always, seiko 5 . I’m trying to think of another watch this good for the money. So far I can’t 🤔
Excellent review. I see this model is still being sold and thus I wonder if Seiko really discountinues the production of the entry level movement 7S26. This model can be obtained for less than 130€ as brand new, and is a bargain for the automatic watch with day date complication.
Great review of an exceptional watch by Seiko. I have the green and white dial variants. The green which is quite difficult to find I got from a watch enthusiast for $42. Will get the black dial next. 😊
Bonito, elegante e informal al mismo tiempo. Y con esa correa de piel, color rojo vino, lo hace lucir mucho.
What a great review....
Thank you Sam. Loved this one (mainly because it was one of those "awakenings" into the wider world of simple watches for a change) Always great to tie in a bit of history too 😉
Such a beautiful watch! 😍
Nicely presented.
For anyone who is thinking of buying this watch, the actual lug-to-lug is 42.01mm. IDGuy was right about the case diameter, though, which is 37.19mm.
Whoops. I'll admit, I never did a L2L measurement (eyeballed it as usual 36mm models are around there) 😆
Ive googled another video of this watch and they said lug width is 18mm. Can you confirm this please so that i can buy a strap at the same time?
@@Piljae Yes, it's 18mm.
@@jlg395 thanks mate. Have since acquired. About to order a nice leather strap at higher cost than the actual watch!
@@Piljae Haha, good for you. You're going to love this watch. I still wear it every single day on a Casio World Time strap from Vario.
IDGuy thanks for the review of this affordable watch. I can see why military people are attracted to its simple, clear, legible look and large numerals. In the field, they have only a second to take one quick look and see the time.
Thank you. I love the look so much, I just purchased one online. It’s hard to find though.