If I'm not greatly mistaken, production of all Seiko 5's such as this one, with the old-style '5' shield and the 37mm cases, was ended a while ago. This is why prices have begun to rise, although they're still far below MSRP. However, the stocks of the old 5's are so massive that it will be a while before all of them are sold. Please note, I'm talking about all of the old 5's running out. When individual models will sell out is much harder to say. And in any case, the prices aren't going to come back down in any scenario I can imagine, so if there's a certain old-style 5 you've been thinking of buying, the time to buy, imho, would be right now.
Right now is probably the best time to snatch some up while they're available. Jomashop is having a summer sale, and I already picked up a SNXS73K1 and a SNXS79J1. When I looked today, a lot of watches show limited quantity available. For less than $120, these classic Seiko 5s are gonna be a collectors item when the stock is gone (at least IMHO).
When I was in Kuwait a guy tried to sell me what I knew was a counterfeit Rolex. After some back and forth he laughed and said “Hey it will keep better time than a real Rolex and no one will know the difference.” 😂 I almost bought it!
'and no one will know the difference' Except me, you, export officials, import officials in your homeland (who will confiscate it), the watchmaker who refuses to repair it, the sap who you sell it to...….. blah.. blah..
He had a point. My grandfather had a submariner about 20 years ago. Sent it back a few times to get fixed. He went back to his Bulova and sold the Rolex and said it sucked
My SNK361 came in the mail yesterday and I'm absolutely in love with it. I wouldn't have gotten it if I hadn't had watched this video close to 100 times while I searched for a OP homage. Your videos also sparked my obsession with Casio and Seiko watches and I'll forever he indebted for it
I’m a watchmaker out of Phoenix, AZ. I can confirm that Seiko 5’s are fantastic time pieces for the price. They whole good time, and the dials are beautiful. The only downside to most Seiko watches, is the band, the bands are usually hollow and cheap feeling
@@jh565bb we didn't have the internet back then so we don't have any objective comparable metric to say that 'they did it better'. Moreover, to use the surviving Seikos will just produce a skewed assessment bc the fact that it is working now and is still being used, years after, means that it is one of the seikos that did not have a QC problem. For example, if we say 'QC' is getting worse, do we have actual aggregare data on this. OR are we using anecdotal evidence?
@@StrawNonHuman You make a fair point, but enough watch channels like the time teller and just one more watch have reported quality issues in newer seikos. Which wasn't something people said about older seikos. Silly things like dial alignment and bad finishing. You may be right though, older seikos may have been just as bad, but no one said anything.
I love these type of videos about affordable watches. I recall back in 1980 as an 18yo office junior earning about £350 a month take home salary. I was considering buying a 5513 Rolex submariner (Cost £360) or a Tudor submariner (Cost £210). An Omega speedmaster was £300. In those days those were fair sums of money but an ordinary worker could save up and buy one of these watches. Today you'd struggle to buy such a watch unless you were earning around £50k+. In the end l went with the Tudor but sold it a few years later and bought a Rolex 16800 submariner date, the first 1000m model with sapphire crystal but still had a matte dial cost £500. Sold it a few years later big big mistake. How times have changed.
That was one of the first watches I purchased when first getting into them. It's now my wife's as I got myself a c.ward and stopped wearing the Seiko. It's a lovely little watch.
This (well, the silver-dial version) was my first mechanical watch 20 years ago. I hardly ever wore it, because god DAMN did it pull on my arm hairs. I never got into watches. Then 3 years ago I tried on a friend's rolex for fun and realized a comfortable bracelet is possible. I bought a new one for my seiko, got into watches, bought more watches, but still love this seiko most.
I should point out, the stock bracelets are 19mm wide with 18mm end-links. Maybe Seiko wanted the bracelet to be proportional to the case, but didn't want to use a weird 19mm lug width? In my opinion, these look weird when you replace the stock bracelet with an 18mm one, so keep that in mind.
The SNK393K1 was my first automatic watch almost 10 years ago, and still is one of my favorites along with the SNK621K1 in that size. At least in this style of watches, I don't see any reason to choose the Rolex over these Seikos. If it looks good to me, that's all that matters.
@@aleontecristian9260 It sure does, been my every day watch for a long time, now I use it occasionally but all I need to do is set the time, give it a shake and go.
I wanted this watch for the dial as per your original recommendation of it Ben. I got it from Creation Watches in Singapore, the last price was a ridiculous 69 quid. The bracelet fortunately got buggered resizing it so I put it on a Bond black, gold and grey NATO. It's what my daughter would say is bangin! To me the point of an automatic is that you don't have to wind it so lack of handwinding on the 7s26 doesn't really bother me. You can kind of vaguely hack one though which is useful. Set the time slightly ahead and apply gentle back pressure on the crown which holds the second hand. Wait for the other calibrated watch to catch up, and release. For a hundred Ben, it's a lovely classy watch. Keep up the good work. 👍
My Seiko 5 Actus (same like yours) is 40 years old and i serviced it for the 1st time 1 year ago. The man who serviced it did a great job. It looks like new again. Accuracy around +10 seconds/day and it is a beauty to watch its sweeping second hand moving
Honestly that's one of the best looking seiko 5 watches I've seen in a long time. I might just have to grab one for review and maybe to keep afterwards. Thanks for showing this one. My wallet also has something to say but I can't repeat it 🤣
I bought, as a laugh, one of these in 'all gold tone', bracelet, case and dial; with the 5's allover. I was frankly amazed at how suble that dial was. Wore it about 20 times and got 90% of my money back when I sold it.
Own the silver dial version The 355, it’s a beauty. No issues at all and keeps the time so fricking well. Not sure what my +/- seconds a day mine is but it can’t be alot.
Mine arrived today! I ordered a strap, and a spare face. My plan is to enamel the seiko shield, so that it's filled with black. If it looks good on the test face, I'll switch the shields.
I live in the Philippines and am NOT a "rich foreigner". For our first anniversary we got his and hers Seiko 5s, and are amazed by the Japanese thrive for perfection at very reasonable prices. Yes, the bracelets suck, but Seiko understands that and expected many wearers will get very fine cheap Chinese solid link compound clasp bracelets for $5USD or so and have an amazing combination for an amazing price.
Great video! I agree, Seiko 5 watches are great affordable alternatives to more expensive mechanical luxury watches. The case on this particular model is certainly more sophisticated than expected, but I've never quite liked the Seiko 5 crests on the dial
Mate your accent is legendary. I laughed out loud at 2:21. For some reason the way “years” came out was priceless. Great “watch-ezz” Keep up the videos more more more. I’ve missed your bashing of MVMT and filippo spaghetti or whatever it was.
I have a SNK357K1 Texture Dial Navy. Very nice watch and well finished. Slim and elegant. The texture on the dial is the icing on the cake and gives the brand a refined touch. The only improvements would be the raking and chainring on the crown, already available on the 4R36. Excellent cost/benefit for those who want a more social watch.
I bought this watch year ago in blue color for 92€ and I love it. I changed bracelet for nato strap (black, red, green "vintage James Bond"). Runs about +6 seconds per day. Great watch.
I have the 365. I have tried in vain to find an alternative bracelet for these models (01v0 case). Leather strap works nice but a good solid steel strap would complete this watch. Thank you so much for the replacement strap link.
Very nice. I bought an SNK 357 which is the blue dial for $63 in 2014. Recently put a new movement in it and a jubilee bracelet and started wearing it again.
Sometimes you get people that kind of go through the dials and they put fake ones on there and then they try to sell them online but when you get a watch from a Seiko dealer all the indices align perfectly.... For anybody out there buying a used watches from different companies online they actually go through and they take the best parts of the dial out and then they replace them with some fake looking Seiko dial and those do not align at all.... But if you're purchasing a Seiko brand new from an authorized Seiko dealer you will find them to be right on point they align very well they are amazing like just a gorgeous beautiful perfection
I went and got a SNXS79K1 and SNXS79J1 when I found out about them. Some of my first mechanical watches at the start of my collection Meanwhile I've various watches from different brands incl. Boldr, RZE and Zelos. The most expensive one is one of my grail watches: the Seiko SPB143J1. And yet, one of my go-to watches remains that SNXS79! Might be the day+date complication that does the trick... my schedule is always all over the place and pretty much take things day by day so I tend to lose track of what day it is. Also, it's just stunning with the grey sunburst dial. I've yet to see a SNK361 in the flesh... maybe I should get one? xD
I really appreciate the fact you linked alternative bracelets in the description as it allows us to get decent ones rather than struggle to find a good one...
2:52 bezel on the SNK is too wide, where as the SNXS is slimmer. You can also adopt an older full stainless caseback for the SNXS and take down the case thickness as well. Grab an uncle seiko SNXS jubilee end link and put on any jubilee bracelet to class it up. Then I believe you have a more faithful lookalike to the oyster perpetual. Plus the SNXS dial more resembles it as well. Cheers.
Seiko makes so many variations of these cheap but gorgeous watches. I've a SNKK13J1. Fell in love with it at first sight, and I had to buy it. I thought it looks better than my Rolex
I grew up in the 70’s with Seiko 5 on television commercials; love them. I have the same one in your review on a light, chocolate brown leather band. Will take your advice on the bracelet you listed. Peace friend.
Its far from luxury. I'd rather buy a Chinese watch. You get way better specs with about the same quality control. Maybe even better. Seiko are dead to me. Orient is a better choice IMO.
Not a bad looking watch. Price is great value too. Only criticism from me is I wash Seiko offered their range without date or day/date complications - after all it's only necessary once per day but spoils their dials. Damn shame.. Cheers Ben 👍🏻👍🏻
Ben, your video compression seems off with this one. Check the surroundings of the second hand at 1:58 mins. It appears as if the dial is rotating alongside the seconds hand. May want to check your renderer settings...
I have this one. I changed strap for shark mesh and it looks great. The watch is also very durable and keeps time quite good despite dropping it few times from hight, taking shower, and doing many other things that can happen during day.
It’s pretty mind blowing how many different options are available when it comes to seiko 5 watches. I find myself loving many of the designs. This one is really interesting to me because I always like a textured or patterned dial. It’s nice how most of the seiko 5s are pretty wearable too in terms of the dimensions.
Went into Seiko 5s thinking it was just one type. Ended up going down a rabbit hole and purchased a couple in the course of a few days. Some of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Although I still wear my $50 Casio Duro 90% of the time anyway lol
Seiko is a great company on its own, and not a "Rolex alternative". It's just that they have different marketing policies. Rolex watches are insanely expensive because their selling point is their brand, targeting to very rich people who want to own something special. Seiko produces watches ranging from affordable to premium, but their value-for-money is insane. If you compare a high-end premium Seiko watch with a Rolex, they would be similar in quality, but the Rolex would be 10+ times more expensive. I hate when all those TH-camrs treat Seiko as being a cheap alternative to Rolex. Actually, Seiko is an older company than Rolex and has produced much larger quantities of quality watches to the world than Rolex has.
Thank you for your insights, Ben I gave my dad an Orient Bambino for his birthday and he was absolutely blown away. He owns a vintage swiss Cauny that used to have a blue sunburst dial, damaged by water 40 years ago, so I though he deserved a modern equivalent. BTW have you noticed that one of the most famous "influencers" that promoted MVMT watches has now created a "fashion sunglasses" brand, with all the same talk of "cutting out the middle man" and "offering what others charge ten times more for less than 100 dollars" spiel... Damn you can't make this stuff up
My first ever automatic watch was the Seiko SNK809. I wore it everyday until it would gain 5 minutes the first hour after a full charge. I've been told that the movement was likely magnetized and I've yet to find someone in my area to inspect the watch instead of telling me to take it to the manufacturer (fuck that). I thought it was because I was too rough with it, but I never wore the watch while operating a jack hammer or anything like that. Just vigorous exercise, shadow boxing, and everyday wear. The 7S26 movement is respectable, but after owning a watch that can hack, hand wind, and wind itself with wear, I understand why these movements are entry level. If ever I could get my hands on an original Seiko SKX with original parts, the first thing I would want to do is a movement swap
Hey Ben, your recommendation for a bracelet alternative is no longer available, got another rec? I’m looking for something with shiny polished accents like the stock bracelet :)
I mean it looks good but £100 for a non hacking and non handwinding watch with rolled links and a pressed clasp...it's not what I personally would consider value. (I said personally)
Having SNXS79K1 (with brown leather strap) on my wrist, I still believe it is a better choice. It is less cluttered and has plenty of lume. Crown is better hidden which is great for look, however not too user friendly.
I have the silver version, the snk355, and I am very tempted to pick up the black model as well! the matching color date wheel is very cool, I wish the blue dial had a matching date wheel.
I like the older Seiko 5 where the the crown is more incognito not so much sticking out of the the frame of the watch it is actually underneath the watch a little bit more incognito and very very good it works great
You hit this one right out of the park Ben! I made these same conclusions just as the snx version started skyrocketing in price, and got the better watch for it. Looks great on an alligator strap.
I've read a few times that the Seiko 5 redesign is designated for the Seiko 5 "sports" models, not so much for their smaller, dressier models, like the one featured in this video. That could change though.
@Get em Boi Who would pay 100 for the garbage shown in the video? Pagani makes better watches for a lower price. I don't like them, but on paper they're way better than Seiko
There are still quite a few Seiko Dress watches you can get with the 7s26 movement picked up a couple of days ago. Wearing one now with that same strap all genuine just have to not go to the more popular stores. I got a SNK371K1 and a SNK303K1. Both were really cheap. Sure they dont have the newer movement but buying a discontinued movement knowing Seiko doesn't make any more is nice.
I want reviews of watches without superfluous features like day/date ( I have a phone). If the watch industry concentrates on looks, thinness, and quality engineering, rather than functions which litter the dial it will be great news to me. ps Seiko should keep/have kept the shield for the five as retro is in.
An SNK watch was the first watch I bought myself as a collector. :) I don't think you can beat the styling for the price. However, if I were going to spend $100 on a watch, I think I'd spend it on an Invicta or Pagani Design homage. They don't win any points for originality, obviously, but they're specked a bit better for the money.
Interestingly there are a couple of Grand Seiko anniversary editions with a pattern of microscopic GS-emblems on the dial, I recon this Seiko 5 must be a nod to those references! If it had the Seiko-esque dauphine hands instead of the quasi-Rolex battons I would have ordered one already...
Hey Ben. Are all the Seiko 5 watches designated "SNK" the same watch basically? I've had my eye on the navy blue faced watch. Do the numbers following describe the colour, watch band or any other minor differences? Thanks!
A great review Ben. I have a few Seiko 5 models, one with the UFO case (SNXS79K) that looks great from the top but hovers above the wrist when worn. The other older SNK's with integrated (and better quality bracelet) wear better. All have no hacking or hand winding but give em a shake for 20 seconds first thing, wear them all day and all will be ticking in the morning. Oh and they all cost less than £100 when purchased a few years ago. I must say though other than asking what the time is (smart phone died I guess or the sun went in) none of my friends give a pair of dingo's kidneys what the watch is. For the price these pieces are a bargain but as you say the bracelets need an upgrade in some cases but I guess that would increase the price. I certainly recommend getting one of the older series 5's just don't expect quartz accuracy but you'll love the organic nature of the sweeping second hand.
Hi Ben glad to see your back, hope all is ok ?, have you or will you review Ben Nevis Watch, I recently purchased one and today went swimming for more than a hour and the watch is still working..
Surprised you havnt looked at Sekonda as a range.Quartz which is fine but 20 to 30 quid gets you a good watch and well made.They use Miyota movements and look great.Even the hinged cases they come in nifty at that price.
I have yet to get a new "5" but I do love the old 60's and 70's Seiko's and have about 10 of 'em. I also picked up a "big P" Pulsar which is a quartz but set into a Seiko 5 case possibly one of the earlier crossovers for Pulsar into Seiko stuff and its lovely especially after fitting a double dome crystal to the very worn case but now its all gleamy and shiny inside and out and I even found an old silver brick Pulsar bracelet to finish it off. My favourite Seiko's are my modded 7019 and my very unusual Seiko SQ which is in a beautiful gold tone very large case, matching gold bracelet and the dial is like covered in a flock effect to give it a velvety look, super cool Seiko imho.
I just recently subscribed to your channel, and this was the first video I watched. I'm a big fan of Seiko, and for years I've been wearing an old Sportsmatic that belonged to my late father. I've been wanting to "semi-retire" it, and because of this video I decided to buy the SNK361 and I love this watch. I love the look. I don't know if I'll ever afford a Rolex, but as you pointed out this is a great alternative. Keep up the great videos and informative reviews!
Watches Featured (affiliate):
SNK361 (Amazon): geni.us/seikosnk361
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Creation Watches: www.jdoqocy.com/click-8946237-15376624?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.creationwatches.com%2Fproducts%2Fseiko-mens-208%2Fseiko-5-automatic-21-jewels-snk361-snk361k1-snk361k-mens-watch-9273.html
SNKL45 (alternative): geni.us/seikosnk45
SNXS (Amazon): geni.us/seikosnxs7
Jomashop: www.tkqlhce.com/click-8946237-11554237?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jomashop.com%2Fseiko-series-5-watch-snxs79j1.html
Replacement bracelet (choose 18mm): tidd.ly/3CAk6I3
The link for "replacement bracelet" is inactive..
If I'm not greatly mistaken, production of all Seiko 5's such as this one, with the old-style '5' shield and the 37mm cases, was ended a while ago. This is why prices have begun to rise, although they're still far below MSRP. However, the stocks of the old 5's are so massive that it will be a while before all of them are sold. Please note, I'm talking about all of the old 5's running out. When individual models will sell out is much harder to say. And in any case, the prices aren't going to come back down in any scenario I can imagine, so if there's a certain old-style 5 you've been thinking of buying, the time to buy, imho, would be right now.
Right now is probably the best time to snatch some up while they're available. Jomashop is having a summer sale, and I already picked up a SNXS73K1 and a SNXS79J1. When I looked today, a lot of watches show limited quantity available. For less than $120, these classic Seiko 5s are gonna be a collectors item when the stock is gone (at least IMHO).
You're the Dr. Samuel Johnson of budget watches; a king of 'common sense' with a deeper perspective.
Well done again.
This is a hilarious comparison lol. But pretty sure.
My watch is only 3 mm thick with Sapphire Crystal under 100 $, beat that.
When I was in Kuwait a guy tried to sell me what I knew was a counterfeit Rolex. After some back and forth he laughed and said “Hey it will keep better time than a real Rolex and no one will know the difference.” 😂 I almost bought it!
'and no one will know the difference'
Except me, you, export officials, import officials in your homeland (who will confiscate it), the watchmaker who refuses to repair it,
the sap who you sell it to...…..
blah.. blah..
He had a point. My grandfather had a submariner about 20 years ago. Sent it back a few times to get fixed. He went back to his Bulova and sold the Rolex and said it sucked
Most people on the street think a watch = Rolex and can't tell the difference. Like tissues for Kleenex.
@@michaelbedford8017 why would they confiscate your personal belongings?
It's not drugs or illegal items.
My SNK361 came in the mail yesterday and I'm absolutely in love with it. I wouldn't have gotten it if I hadn't had watched this video close to 100 times while I searched for a OP homage. Your videos also sparked my obsession with Casio and Seiko watches and I'll forever he indebted for it
I’m a watchmaker out of Phoenix, AZ. I can confirm that Seiko 5’s are fantastic time pieces for the price. They whole good time, and the dials are beautiful. The only downside to most Seiko watches, is the band, the bands are usually hollow and cheap feeling
Luckely u can allways swap them to leather straps
you just came here to confirm it?
"That being said, it doesn't align..." - well, it's a Seiko after all.
"...with my objective." Oh. Sorry, my bad.
🤏🏼
True new seikos lack in quality control, my 1988/96 7002 is great though, so its a newish problem.
@@jh565bb we didn't have the internet back then so we don't have any objective comparable metric to say that 'they did it better'. Moreover, to use the surviving Seikos will just produce a skewed assessment bc the fact that it is working now and is still being used, years after, means that it is one of the seikos that did not have a QC problem.
For example, if we say 'QC' is getting worse, do we have actual aggregare data on this. OR are we using anecdotal evidence?
@@StrawNonHuman You make a fair point, but enough watch channels like the time teller and just one more watch have reported quality issues in newer seikos. Which wasn't something people said about older seikos. Silly things like dial alignment and bad finishing. You may be right though, older seikos may have been just as bad, but no one said anything.
My watch is only 3 mm thick with Sapphire Crystal under 100 $, beat that bro.
BEN IS BACK! And my heart is so dang happy!
He knows his lane
I love these type of videos about affordable watches. I recall back in 1980 as an 18yo office junior earning about £350 a month take home salary. I was considering buying a 5513 Rolex submariner (Cost £360) or a Tudor submariner (Cost £210). An Omega speedmaster was £300. In those days those were fair sums of money but an ordinary worker could save up and buy one of these watches. Today you'd struggle to buy such a watch unless you were earning around £50k+. In the end l went with the Tudor but sold it a few years later and bought a Rolex 16800 submariner date, the first 1000m model with sapphire crystal but still had a matte dial cost £500. Sold it a few years later big big mistake. How times have changed.
That was one of the first watches I purchased when first getting into them. It's now my wife's as I got myself a c.ward and stopped wearing the Seiko. It's a lovely little watch.
This (well, the silver-dial version) was my first mechanical watch 20 years ago. I hardly ever wore it, because god DAMN did it pull on my arm hairs. I never got into watches. Then 3 years ago I tried on a friend's rolex for fun and realized a comfortable bracelet is possible. I bought a new one for my seiko, got into watches, bought more watches, but still love this seiko most.
I guess you were like most people and thought that you can’t swap out straps and Bracelets
Thanks for doubling the price of seiko 5s once more, Ben!
Any time!
@@BensWatchClub I only barely got the orient bambino alternative, i don't want to go on yet another waiting list
I should point out, the stock bracelets are 19mm wide with 18mm end-links. Maybe Seiko wanted the bracelet to be proportional to the case, but didn't want to use a weird 19mm lug width? In my opinion, these look weird when you replace the stock bracelet with an 18mm one, so keep that in mind.
Rolex is homaged so hard that every time I see a submariner all I think is "it sure does look like an Invicta"
That’s because all you’re shopping for is for an invicta
The SNK393K1 was my first automatic watch almost 10 years ago, and still is one of my favorites along with the SNK621K1 in that size.
At least in this style of watches, I don't see any reason to choose the Rolex over these Seikos. If it looks good to me, that's all that matters.
IT WORKS AFTER 10 YEARS?!?!?
@@aleontecristian9260 It sure does, been my every day watch for a long time, now I use it occasionally but all I need to do is set the time, give it a shake and go.
I've got a snkl45 on a nice worn and wound strap that costs as much as the watch. Love it
I wanted this watch for the dial as per your original recommendation of it Ben. I got it from Creation Watches in Singapore, the last price was a ridiculous 69 quid. The bracelet fortunately got buggered resizing it so I put it on a Bond black, gold and grey NATO. It's what my daughter would say is bangin! To me the point of an automatic is that you don't have to wind it so lack of handwinding on the 7s26 doesn't really bother me. You can kind of vaguely hack one though which is useful. Set the time slightly ahead and apply gentle back pressure on the crown which holds the second hand. Wait for the other calibrated watch to catch up, and release. For a hundred Ben, it's a lovely classy watch. Keep up the good work. 👍
My Seiko 5 Actus (same like yours) is 40 years old and i serviced it for the 1st time 1 year ago. The man who serviced it did a great job. It looks like new again. Accuracy around +10 seconds/day and it is a beauty to watch its sweeping second hand moving
Honestly that's one of the best looking seiko 5 watches I've seen in a long time. I might just have to grab one for review and maybe to keep afterwards. Thanks for showing this one. My wallet also has something to say but I can't repeat it 🤣
I think I'd prefer it more without the day/date function and the pattern dial.
@@frankdux5693 Agreed the weird lozenge shape of the day date kills the dial.
I bought, as a laugh, one of these in 'all gold tone', bracelet, case and dial; with the 5's allover.
I was frankly amazed at how suble that dial was. Wore it about 20 times and got 90% of my money back when I sold it.
Looks like I found the next watch for the collection. Affordable and awesome. Man, I love this channel.
Glad you enjoy it!
Own the silver dial version The 355, it’s a beauty. No issues at all and keeps the time so fricking well. Not sure what my +/- seconds a day mine is but it can’t be alot.
Mine arrived today! I ordered a strap, and a spare face. My plan is to enamel the seiko shield, so that it's filled with black. If it looks good on the test face, I'll switch the shields.
Hope you're doing well Ben!
I live in the Philippines and am NOT a "rich foreigner". For our first anniversary we got his and hers Seiko 5s, and are amazed by the Japanese thrive for perfection at very reasonable prices. Yes, the bracelets suck, but Seiko understands that and expected many wearers will get very fine cheap Chinese solid link compound clasp bracelets for $5USD or so and have an amazing combination for an amazing price.
Great video! I agree, Seiko 5 watches are great affordable alternatives to more expensive mechanical luxury watches. The case on this particular model is certainly more sophisticated than expected, but I've never quite liked the Seiko 5 crests on the dial
Mate your accent is legendary. I laughed out loud at 2:21. For some reason the way “years” came out was priceless. Great “watch-ezz” Keep up the videos more more more. I’ve missed your bashing of MVMT and filippo spaghetti or whatever it was.
It's a shame they have no manual winding. Apart from that I'm absolutely in love with my SNKL23
Had this watch a few years now , changed the crystal for a double dome sapphire, looks fantastic.
I have a SNK357K1 Texture Dial Navy. Very nice watch and well finished. Slim and elegant. The texture on the dial is the icing on the cake and gives the brand a refined touch. The only improvements would be the raking and chainring on the crown, already available on the 4R36. Excellent cost/benefit for those who want a more social watch.
I bought this watch year ago in blue color for 92€ and I love it. I changed bracelet for nato strap (black, red, green "vintage James Bond"). Runs about +6 seconds per day. Great watch.
can you tell lug width ? 18mm or 19 mm?
@@piho-thecat2119 18mm. But standard bracelet is wider
I've got that with the silver dial. On a brown lizard strap it is a stunner.
I call it my Seikolex.
I have the 365. I have tried in vain to find an alternative bracelet for these models (01v0 case). Leather strap works nice but a good solid steel strap would complete this watch.
Thank you so much for the replacement strap link.
Why, you have titan.
Very nice. I bought an SNK 357 which is the blue dial for $63 in 2014. Recently put a new movement in it and a jubilee bracelet and started wearing it again.
Sometimes you get people that kind of go through the dials and they put fake ones on there and then they try to sell them online but when you get a watch from a Seiko dealer all the indices align perfectly.... For anybody out there buying a used watches from different companies online they actually go through and they take the best parts of the dial out and then they replace them with some fake looking Seiko dial and those do not align at all.... But if you're purchasing a Seiko brand new from an authorized Seiko dealer you will find them to be right on point they align very well they are amazing like just a gorgeous beautiful perfection
I went and got a SNXS79K1 and SNXS79J1 when I found out about them. Some of my first mechanical watches at the start of my collection
Meanwhile I've various watches from different brands incl. Boldr, RZE and Zelos. The most expensive one is one of my grail watches: the Seiko SPB143J1.
And yet, one of my go-to watches remains that SNXS79! Might be the day+date complication that does the trick... my schedule is always all over the place and pretty much take things day by day so I tend to lose track of what day it is. Also, it's just stunning with the grey sunburst dial. I've yet to see a SNK361 in the flesh... maybe I should get one? xD
hi i bought timex weekender and watched your review on it and when you said good luck sleeping with it in your room and great vids
I have that exact same Seiko 5. It is actually my very first mechanical watch I bought in 2008.
I really appreciate the fact you linked alternative bracelets in the description as it allows us to get decent ones rather than struggle to find a good one...
That being said, I suppose that the snk393k would be more or less the Rolex Explorer analog?
I prefer the dial of the SNXS77/79, becasuse of the sunburst and markers with lume, but the SNK361 case really is more comfortable and better looking.
2:52 bezel on the SNK is too wide, where as the SNXS is slimmer. You can also adopt an older full stainless caseback for the SNXS and take down the case thickness as well. Grab an uncle seiko SNXS jubilee end link and put on any jubilee bracelet to class it up. Then I believe you have a more faithful lookalike to the oyster perpetual. Plus the SNXS dial more resembles it as well. Cheers.
Nice to see you back feels like it's been months
Modding watches is my favorite hobby!! they get better looking and personal taste
I just kept returning to this video until I asked my wife to buy one for me for Xmas this year.... Thanks a lot man, great review.
Seiko makes so many variations of these cheap but gorgeous watches. I've a SNKK13J1. Fell in love with it at first sight, and I had to buy it. I thought it looks better than my Rolex
01:59 Wow...there you see the difference to luxury brands. The damage on the logo is a nogo.
I grew up in the 70’s with Seiko 5 on television commercials; love them. I have the same one in your review on a light, chocolate brown leather band. Will take your advice on the bracelet you listed. Peace friend.
Agree with you that the 01V0 is the best seiko 5 case. Especially the SNK375 & SNK381. Love those models
That’s incredible never knew a luxury watch could cost that cheap
Its far from luxury. I'd rather buy a Chinese watch. You get way better specs with about the same quality control. Maybe even better. Seiko are dead to me. Orient is a better choice IMO.
Not a bad looking watch. Price is great value too. Only criticism from me is I wash Seiko offered their range without date or day/date complications - after all it's only necessary once per day but spoils their dials. Damn shame..
Cheers Ben 👍🏻👍🏻
Ben, your video compression seems off with this one. Check the surroundings of the second hand at 1:58 mins. It appears as if the dial is rotating alongside the seconds hand. May want to check your renderer settings...
Because of this video I grabbed one of these on Poshmark for $55. Super excited to get it. Should have it in a few days.
That Jubilee bracelet looks amazing!
I've had an SNXS75 and an SNKL23, the SNK361 is the one I've kept!
I have this one. I changed strap for shark mesh and it looks great. The watch is also very durable and keeps time quite good despite dropping it few times from hight, taking shower, and doing many other things that can happen during day.
It’s pretty mind blowing how many different options are available when it comes to seiko 5 watches. I find myself loving many of the designs. This one is really interesting to me because I always like a textured or patterned dial. It’s nice how most of the seiko 5s are pretty wearable too in terms of the dimensions.
Went into Seiko 5s thinking it was just one type. Ended up going down a rabbit hole and purchased a couple in the course of a few days. Some of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Although I still wear my $50 Casio Duro 90% of the time anyway lol
Nice watch. It’s always a good day when I see a new video from your channel.
I just picked this up pre-owned for $30! Thanks, Ben!
Good to see you back
Seiko is a great company on its own, and not a "Rolex alternative". It's just that they have different marketing policies. Rolex watches are insanely expensive because their selling point is their brand, targeting to very rich people who want to own something special. Seiko produces watches ranging from affordable to premium, but their value-for-money is insane. If you compare a high-end premium Seiko watch with a Rolex, they would be similar in quality, but the Rolex would be 10+ times more expensive. I hate when all those TH-camrs treat Seiko as being a cheap alternative to Rolex. Actually, Seiko is an older company than Rolex and has produced much larger quantities of quality watches to the world than Rolex has.
Could you do a video on Solar/light charged watches video.
I own Seiko 5 Blue/Yellow SNK371K1. really love it. Robust and simple I dont often set the date, just set the time.
Great insightful video, does the dial have a blue hue?
Thank you for your insights, Ben
I gave my dad an Orient Bambino for his birthday and he was absolutely blown away.
He owns a vintage swiss Cauny that used to have a blue sunburst dial, damaged by water 40 years ago, so I though he deserved a modern equivalent.
BTW have you noticed that one of the most famous "influencers" that promoted MVMT watches has now created a "fashion sunglasses" brand, with all the same talk of "cutting out the middle man" and "offering what others charge ten times more for less than 100 dollars" spiel... Damn you can't make this stuff up
Im very noob to watches, but i love seiko somehow, snd today i ordered my first watch. Its a seiko snkl19j1 its cheap but it looks so amazing ❤
at 1:05, what is that left most watch?
good to see you back mister
My first ever automatic watch was the Seiko SNK809. I wore it everyday until it would gain 5 minutes the first hour after a full charge. I've been told that the movement was likely magnetized and I've yet to find someone in my area to inspect the watch instead of telling me to take it to the manufacturer (fuck that). I thought it was because I was too rough with it, but I never wore the watch while operating a jack hammer or anything like that. Just vigorous exercise, shadow boxing, and everyday wear. The 7S26 movement is respectable, but after owning a watch that can hack, hand wind, and wind itself with wear, I understand why these movements are entry level. If ever I could get my hands on an original Seiko SKX with original parts, the first thing I would want to do is a movement swap
September 20, EBay is listing this Watch between $125.00-$140.00 Canadian, pretty good deal.
Hi Ben , can I remove links from the bracelet as I have very skinny wrists?
He has skinny wrists too
Yes, yes you can. They're a bit fiddly to remove with this one but it fit my wrist no problem 👌
Hey Ben, your recommendation for a bracelet alternative is no longer available, got another rec? I’m looking for something with shiny polished accents like the stock bracelet :)
Looking for one too! for a different watch but im guessing they are using the same case (snk381 here).
I mean it looks good but £100 for a non hacking and non handwinding watch with rolled links and a pressed clasp...it's not what I personally would consider value. (I said personally)
Having SNXS79K1 (with brown leather strap) on my wrist, I still believe it is a better choice. It is less cluttered and has plenty of lume. Crown is better hidden which is great for look, however not too user friendly.
Bracelet link in description is broken (doesn’t work)
I have the silver version, the snk355, and I am very tempted to pick up the black model as well! the matching color date wheel is very cool, I wish the blue dial had a matching date wheel.
I like the older Seiko 5 where the the crown is more incognito not so much sticking out of the the frame of the watch it is actually underneath the watch a little bit more incognito and very very good it works great
You hit this one right out of the park Ben! I made these same conclusions just as the snx version started skyrocketing in price, and got the better watch for it.
Looks great on an alligator strap.
I've read a few times that the Seiko 5 redesign is designated for the Seiko 5 "sports" models, not so much for their smaller, dressier models, like the one featured in this video. That could change though.
The Seiko 5 is a lovely and dependable watch. Well made, and fine finish. I had a vintage Rolex, and this watch runs circles around it.
and the ccuracy is the same ??'ahahah
actually. the Seiko 5 keeps better time than my old vintage Rolex. Also, I don't have to spend $600 to have it serviced... so YES!@@anteneupitra
The problem with seiko is that, brands like pagani design and San Martin are making better watches with their NH35 movement.
@Get em Boi
Who would pay 100 for the garbage shown in the video?
Pagani makes better watches for a lower price. I don't like them, but on paper they're way better than Seiko
Rotary do a few similar entry-level automatics at similar price points
There are still quite a few Seiko Dress watches you can get with the 7s26 movement picked up a couple of days ago. Wearing one now with that same strap all genuine just have to not go to the more popular stores.
I got a SNK371K1 and a SNK303K1. Both were really cheap. Sure they dont have the newer movement but buying a discontinued movement knowing Seiko doesn't make any more is nice.
I've had the SNK355 (silver dial) for over a year now and I really love it. I threw a jubilee on it and it looks fantastic.
Doesn't look too bad and the 5 texture on the dial looks pretty sweet.
I want reviews of watches without superfluous features like day/date ( I have a phone). If the watch industry concentrates on looks, thinness, and quality engineering, rather than functions which litter the dial it will be great news to me. ps Seiko should keep/have kept the shield for the five as retro is in.
Tbh I prefer the shield logo over the new logo as well.
I have the SNKA05K1, it is the most beautiful piece in my collection. Love it !
For me Casio and Seiko are very good (not the best) brand watch to buy ...
Especially Casio Edifice ... Formula 1
I love it .... 👍😀
An SNK watch was the first watch I bought myself as a collector. :) I don't think you can beat the styling for the price.
However, if I were going to spend $100 on a watch, I think I'd spend it on an Invicta or Pagani Design homage. They don't win any points for originality, obviously, but they're specked a bit better for the money.
Thank you. You make it so easy.
Interestingly there are a couple of Grand Seiko anniversary editions with a pattern of microscopic GS-emblems on the dial, I recon this Seiko 5 must be a nod to those references! If it had the Seiko-esque dauphine hands instead of the quasi-Rolex battons I would have ordered one already...
Hey Ben. Are all the Seiko 5 watches designated "SNK" the same watch basically? I've had my eye on the navy blue faced watch. Do the numbers following describe the colour, watch band or any other minor differences? Thanks!
and he's back!
A great review Ben. I have a few Seiko 5 models, one with the UFO case (SNXS79K) that looks great from the top but hovers above the wrist when worn. The other older SNK's with integrated (and better quality bracelet) wear better. All have no hacking or hand winding but give em a shake for 20 seconds first thing, wear them all day and all will be ticking in the morning. Oh and they all cost less than £100 when purchased a few years ago. I must say though other than asking what the time is (smart phone died I guess or the sun went in) none of my friends give a pair of dingo's kidneys what the watch is. For the price these pieces are a bargain but as you say the bracelets need an upgrade in some cases but I guess that would increase the price. I certainly recommend getting one of the older series 5's just don't expect quartz accuracy but you'll love the organic nature of the sweeping second hand.
Would be great if you'd make a video about the california dial, and list some cheaper options then Panerai...
Hi, what do you prefer, SNK361 or SNXS79? Thanks
Ben, I can't open the link for the SNK361 replace band. Can you give me a different link? Thank you!😊
Hi Ben glad to see your back, hope all is ok ?, have you or will you review Ben Nevis Watch, I recently purchased one and today went swimming for more than a hour and the watch is still working..
Surprised you havnt looked at Sekonda as a range.Quartz which is fine but 20 to 30 quid gets you a good watch and well made.They use Miyota movements and look great.Even the hinged cases they come in nifty at that price.
I have yet to get a new "5" but I do love the old 60's and 70's Seiko's and have about 10 of 'em. I also picked up a "big P" Pulsar which is a quartz but set into a Seiko 5 case possibly one of the earlier crossovers for Pulsar into Seiko stuff and its lovely especially after fitting a double dome crystal to the very worn case but now its all gleamy and shiny inside and out and I even found an old silver brick Pulsar bracelet to finish it off. My favourite Seiko's are my modded 7019 and my very unusual Seiko SQ which is in a beautiful gold tone very large case, matching gold bracelet and the dial is like covered in a flock effect to give it a velvety look, super cool Seiko imho.
I just recently subscribed to your channel, and this was the first video I watched. I'm a big fan of Seiko, and for years I've been wearing an old Sportsmatic that belonged to my late father. I've been wanting to "semi-retire" it, and because of this video I decided to buy the SNK361 and I love this watch. I love the look. I don't know if I'll ever afford a Rolex, but as you pointed out this is a great alternative. Keep up the great videos and informative reviews!
Did you add any aftermarket straps? Or jubilee bracelet