Seiko got no reason to do so, when videos like this exist, that help inflate these extremely cheaply made watches to the prices they sell for. Giving them a high profit margin.
They *did* upgrade the line -- the Seiko 5 Sports, with the 4R36 movements (day/date, hacking and hand-winding), 10ATM WR minimum and the "Superman 5" logo. Trouble is, they stuck with the Hardlex crystal and tripled the average price. Still a bargain compared with their Presage and Prospex lines, but Seiko did say many years ago they were "upmarketing" their lineup for sales outside Japan and so far it seems to be working for them.
Mine means a lot to me! It belonged to my future wife’s late father. I never met the man but after I proposed, her mother gifted it to me. I love the watch outside of the sentimental connection. I wear it doing just about anything from bartending to just laying around the house. It’s very comfortable, slim, stylish and shockingly accurate after not being worn for 14 years. As much as I’d love a Tudor or old Rolex on my wrist for our big day, it’s gonna be a humble Seiko 5 for the man who couldn’t be there in body. And I couldn’t be any prouder!
classic Seiko 5 is a reminder of a period in time where a quality, reliable, aesthetically pleasing, in-house movement, and affordable automatic watch is attainable to common people.
My mum bought Blue Seiko 5 (Made in Japan) for her first sallary (she was 18 at that time) and gave it as a gift to my father. That was 56 years ago... My father wore that watch daily until ten years ago when he stopped wearing watches at all after he had a heart attack. He was good situated and wore Seiko 5 proudly even in a company of bussines partners with Omegas, Patek Philipe, etc...
my grandpa bought this watch around 20ish years ago and he's been wearing it since. It has some water damage on it but its still going strong. He hasn't been kinds to the old watch and its not in the best shape but 20 years of everyday wear and it still being worn is very impressive. I asked him if he wanted one of the newer seiko 5s for Christmas and he said he prefers his watch to any other one out there.
Patrick Bateman wore a Seiko 5 (some UA-camrs think he wore a datejust but he didn’t, it was a Seiko 5) but alas it couldn’t get him a reservation at Dorsia 😢
Still wear mine lots. The size is perfect. That's one reason I went with this model. I have hairy arms and the bracelet never once has ripped my hair out. Yeah the bracelet could be better but what you pay for it it's hard to complain.
The fact that 2 hours into the life of this video, 120+ folk have felt strongly enough about this to comment tells you much about the pull of the '5' - and not just on your wrist hairs ! My first adult auto was an SNK and it sits in its box now, because I quickly realised I wanted a bigger dial, and a better movement - my OCD can't get past a non-hacking second hand; but I was drawn to the very pretty face with texture and the relatively cheap price as a first go-er. I splashed on the SARB035 at 400 USD plus import tax - and a SRPE57. So this 5 got me into Seiko for all their faults.
I've had one for many years(SNXS79), albeit slightly modded with a Sapphire Crystal. When I purchased one it was around $70. Still wear it really often, despite having much more premium watches. It's perfect for a skinnier wrist and the dark grey sunburst dial on the SNXS79 is quite a head turner. The trusty old 7s26 movement is still holding time as well as it did when it was purchased... So I'm very pleased. Lovely Review as always Jody😁 Warmest Regards 🇿🇦
@@emre9726 hi there. I purchased a sapphire crystal from MonsterWatches (Netherlands) and then had it replaced locally by a watchmaker. It should be easy to replace yourself... There might be some YT videos to guide. I was just being a bit lazy 🤣
👍👍 I bought my first Seiko 5 way back in 1984 - I think it cost £40. It's still working perfectly. The only Seiko's I buy now are their Quartz Sapphire crystal models. I have more than enough automatic watches. As quartz is looked down on, I can still snag some bargains!
To me the coolest thing about these types of seiko 5’s is just how long seiko has been making them relatively unchanged. You can find models from as early as the mid 1960s that are near identical to the ones you can still get now. A real time capsule of a watch, I think if seiko started upgrading them with solid bracelets, sapphire, and all the bells and whistles that part of them would be lost.
My own watch, 12 yrs old, finally got the spotlight. Silver 73, what a beauty. I have replaced the original back case with the solid one to get lesser height. Sure i got a few scratches on my hardlex glass but it gives it personality.
@@MisterTurtleTime It's a small watch my late grandpa bought me upon my graduation. It was my first automatic watch. It was never the most accurate in any way but i just adore it.
Stellar filter at the end, Jody. My dad was 6'2", 300lb, grew up working in sawmills in British Columbia (imagine the wrist): his last watch was a 34mm Seiko 5. They rock, you do too. Thanks! 👍
Thanks Joe! I've said it many times, if not our fathers, then certainly our grandfathers, wore 34mm watches. Size is all fashion and familiarity, that's all.
My first automatic watch was a Seiko 5 and I still keep two as dress watches among a watch box saturated with divers. My Seiko 5’s will always have a place in my personal collection, but that’s because they carry a sentimental value for me. When sharing this watch hobby with bare-wristers Seiko 5 is still my gateway drug of choice, like you mentioned, I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time staring into the display case back, and listening to the movement. They’re still charming, they’re still affordable and they’re still good looking.
As i'm watching this video I have a Seiko 5 on my wrist. It looks very similar to your watch, even though it was made in 1967. It doesn't have lume on the numbers and there is no bezel, with the (plastic) crystal having an extreme curve. Very vintage! My 5 has only one click on the crown, leading to a rather elaborate procedure to adjust the date. I think the bracelet on this vintage Seiko is a little nicer than the new ones. I have hairy arms and no nipping. I love this watch and have been wearing it every day, since I bought it for $20 at a thrift store, even though I have many other watches. I gave it the Seiko shake and it has kept great time ever since, but it did need a major cleanup. As for the new Seikos, I still think they are a viable choice in $100-$150 range, but personally, I doubt I will ever buy a new watch again. I also think you are correct that Orient and Tissot are stiff competition.
The size, that’s the stopper for me. I’m on a Casio kick right now, I like the 42-42-44 mm size choice for the case and with GSHOCK, you get the durability as well. But… I still am saving up for a GS, bucket list piece for me.
I discovered your channel 5 years ago on february 7th while i was in the hospital waiting for my first son to come. You recomended this watch and i fell in love with it. This march, i finally purchased it after it went on sale from $189 to $99. Silver dial. I absolutely love it. This will be my forever watch
I'v3 got a SNXS73 for number of years. I'm wearing it as my dress watch on lizard grain brown strap. Love it to the bits, small, elegant, you don't feel it all on the wrist. Looks great, feels great. Will never get rid of it, the more so it is becoming more unique as the years pass. Btw this is my first comment on JOMW, so have to say love you Jody, been watching you for years :) Btw it has 19 mm lug width not 18.
I own a snxs77 back since 2018, sold and then regretted it, and bought it back. I love it, I use it as my dress watch on a beige leather strap, killer combo!
They're a lot less relevant now than perhaps they were, but let's not forget that for a long time if you wanted an easily obtainable, affordable, reliable, good looking mechanical watch, Seiko was one of the very few who had you covered. There's so much variety in the range there's something for everyone, and some varients are quite sought after now. I love my SNXS79 and SNXJ94 - they deserve their spots in my watch collection.
Considering that $35 Aliexpress watch you sold me on has been worn once, and my Seiko 5 has led to 5 Ebay Seiko 5s in my collection? And a 1965 Sportsmatic 5? Yea, they are so worth it.
I bought the snkl23 and a stitched leather strap at the same time as I wanted the steel and leather look. The size may be less of an issue when worn a bit more formally and has the plus of being very comfortable under a sleeve. As for Ali Express, whilst I've window shopped plenty, I haven't pulled the trigger on importing as yet. When I started down the hobby, I thought that the NH35 was the basic starting point with hacking and hand winding, it's really become a non issue for me having the 7S26 and doing the Seiko shuffle. Reliable simple and cheap. Whilst I would love sapphire, I'm fairly careful with my watches and figured that if I eventually do scratch it, I'll replace it with a crystal times sapphire replacement someday. Hasn't happened as yet. This just leaves the positives.
I bought my first Seiko a few years ago, an SNK793, after they'd already retired the old Seiko 5 line. At the end there when you knocked out all the cons, those were basically all the reasons that I bought it. I have a smaller, hairless wrist, I wear it almost everyday and try to avoid getting it wet or scratched. And I love what Seiko is all about. Those old watches are basically made for me. It's just sad that they discontinued them and moved on to larger diameter watches in the 5 Sports line but they did recently release a 38mm SKX style watch that I'm seriously thinking about getting.
Wearing my SNKL15 as I'm watching this and I love it! Holds a special place in my heart as my first auto. Got me interested in watches and now there's no looking back. Thanks for the great vid Jody, and I couldn't agree with you more.
Must say Jody, sub 39 mm is almost mandatory for those of us at < 6.9” wrist. You can get away with a 42 mm depending on the watch design overall. Great review as always and much appreciated. Thanks!
I would say it’s still a good buy, as long as you’re cool with not having the modern amenities like hacking and handwinding. If you’re not hung up on specs, it’s definitely a great buy!
@@bigboiganiga8356 You can still buy the 7s26 with ease for like $35. Alba still uses these movements for its automatic watches. You can swap a 4R into most older Seiko 5 without any issues. I have a modded SNXS with 4R36, just need to swap out the holder to fit the movement in older Seiko 5s.
Cons outweigh the pros for me which is probably why I don’t own one. I have two Cadisens. Silver and black and I love them. The black looks like it cost thousands. I put the silver on an inexpensive mesh bracelet and it looks fantastic. If I tripped over the right Seiko 5 at a great price I might fill the hole in my collection but for me they are irrelevant. Great vid. Jody you are a rock star. Merci!
I picked up an SNXS79 (the one with the grey sunburst dial) for my dad for around 90 Euros (sold by an authorized dealer) a couple of years ago and I find this to be a stunning watch for the price range. The lack of handwinding is a bit of an irritating factor when the watch is not worn daily, but in the overall scheme of this offer I think you can live with the 7s26 and its quirks.
For the money they are still good watches. I bought a Seiko 5 two months ago, put a sapphire crystal from crystal times and a dial from Yobokies, a nice strap from Amazon and gave it to my mother for Mothers day.
I actually owned a black-dialed Seiko 5 that was purchased during the Vietnam War by my father in Vietnam. It was replaced about 12 years later by a Casio digital watch when I was a Casio salesman.
I upgraded mine with a 19mm ss strap with screw links, kept the og hollow end links. I recently upgraded the clasp of my san Martin bb 36 homage with the otf microadjust. So the original clasp from the san Martin fits perfectly on the Seiko. Just feels like a different watch now
I have 5 or 6 of these and love them all. I have 7.5 + wrists. The bracelets get junked and I get a kick out of transforming them with a nice leather strap that costs 25% of the cost of the original watch or more. They are so cheap to start with if you hunt and are patient. I use them for the office or for smarter situations and they give such quality and variety for minimal outlay. I’ve even moved on one or two and got most of the money back by keeping the unused bracelet safe in the box. They look classy and almost vintage now..
Awesome video Jody! I think the old Seiko 5’s are way more beautiful than the newer onces. And I prefer those trusty 7s movements over the 4r calibers. I don’t know but there’s something charming about shaking the watch😂
My first auto was SNKP17 and I still wear it admiringly. But yes Seiko should upgrade some weak points of their Seiko 5 line like the poor bracelet and the crystal.
Not even watched it yet but come on is this even a question! Of course the 5 has a place.I actually have the first seiko 5 model in my collection (restored by me) from 1964 a Seiko Sportsmatic
Bought my first Seiko 5 in the Persian Gulf in the mid 1970s. Worked fine for a couple of decades until the attraction of digital accuracy became irresistible.
I still have mine from 1998 back when they were less than £100. The links failed, the mineral crystal scratched and then the automatic winding stopped working after going near some radio broadcasting equipment as it seems to have become faintly magnetised. It sits there unused as its about £200 for a repair.
My seiko 5 actus, made in Sept. 1976 (now it is June 2023) has been serviced in 2022 (1st time ever) and it looks like new....it works so fine (the watch man probably did an excellent work) around -5 seconds/day.
I still have my SNX997 in a drawer. One of the first watches I bought for myself so i have a soft spot for it. Never liked the minimal power reserve but after watching this video I might wear mine this weekend.
Love my snxs75 with a jubilee bracelet, sapphire and gold fluted bezel. I get that old school watch I just can't get anywhere else. This line scratches all my itches
I love Seiko 5, they are doing a wonderful job. I'm not bothered by shaky bracelet and mineral Crystal. It's all good and the 7S26 movement on my watch is very accurate. My Seiko 5 gains 5-6 seconds in 2 weeks, so very accurate. By the way I have the same watch in grey dial version 😊
I have multiples. Not small on my 7 inch wrist. The dials are just spectacular. I’ve upgraded the Chrystal and bracelet. Mine run to within -5 seconds per day. Super happy with them.
I like this watch so much that I bought the ones with the silver, grey, and blue dials. 2 of each as I couldn’t find them for a while and because I can give them as gifts to family and friends. The bracelet doesn’t bother me at all even though I have hairy arms. Neither does the “UFO like case.” I have other Seiko 5s that I put on leather straps because they look a lot better on straps. For me this specific 5 will always be relevant because it has a timeless design. Thanks for the review.
My SNKL23 on mesh will forever have a spot in my collection, it has a place besides watches worth multiple thousands. This is still one of the best lines to come out of Seiko imo. Seiko 5s for everybody, no matter the size of your wallet!
I bought a SNXS79 8 years back for $70, still works well to this date with decent accuracy. Cheap but they are reliable and fun to own. Bought a SNXS75 and SNKL23 for around $100 last year. You cannot find the older Seiko 5s for those prices anymore because they have become scarce. If you are not fussy about the accuracy and the basic specs, these small Seiko 5s are great gateway into mechanical watches. Just have a bunch of straps and you are good to go if you dont like the bracelet. Or Aliexpress for bracelets options.
Funny thing, I bought this because I really like the bracelet. I like the old style presidential look. Plus Ive got an 8 inch wrist and a few hairs, but providing you keep it reasonably tight it doesn't pull hairs. Great watch.
Wearing one of mine when I saw this video, my 05R4. My first auto as an adult, after years of wearing a digital.Still going un-serviced after more than 25 years. I have hairy arms but the 5 link bracelet on mine never pulls at them. I am not a tiler & the crystal is still fine, & the lack of accuracy doesn't bug me. I have a Citizen Chronomaster if I need to catch a train in Tokyo. But I do love the display caseback. I've even upgraded one of my titanium 5s from the 1970s to an NH35 (or similar) after the old 7S26 movt died.
I have several Seiko 5 and love each and every one of them as they fit my small wrist like a glove. I upgraded the crystal to a sapphire and bracelet very cheaply and now they look how they should look. Don’t pay over their price though it’s my advice! Great review Dr Jody! ❤
I noticed recently in a high street store that stocked Seiko. They had also a brand called Lorus (part of the Seiko group). In this Lorus display were a small selection of watches with automatic movements. They were similar in appearance to the 5's, but significantly cheaper.
The size is a little large but acceptable for me. I hate Day/Date but love the styling even with the hideous day date. I would prefer more water resistance. Mine came off the bracelets as soon as I got them home (except for the SKX because I still can't get the stupid thing off)
i'm super sad that they've been discontinued. They were the perfect entry point into mechanical watches and are still fantastic today. And they were great for my modding endeavors lol
I’ve got this one. I absolutely love it. The dial is beautiful with the sunburst effect. For me the size is perfect. It keeps good time. I agree on the bracelet. I just put it on a brown leather and it’s so comfortable. (By the way it’s 19mm lug not 18) 👍🏻
Keep in mind, there are many varieties of the older Seiko 5s: bigger dials, different complications, different straps, those with the 4r movements, and even those with up to 200m water resistance.
Pick one of the field-style, with a nylon strap - your arm hairs are safe! And a hack to get around the lack of hacking: if the power is below maybe 30-40% or so (here's the scenario: watch has run down completely, you pick it up, give it the shakey-shake to wake it up and then want to set the time) Pull crown out to time-setting position and apply very gentle back-pressure on it (i.e. as if winding time backwards but not quite) and you can 'stop' the second hand pretty much spot on to pseudo-hack it!! Hardly essential, but can be fun. Lovely little watches.
I have the same one but with the dark blue dial and it doesn't fit my 8" wrist! With the mirco adjust all the way out it will close but it's too tight to wear. I had to put it on a NATO and being 19" lug width doesn't help.
Good vid. Many good points. I don't wear them much these days, but from roughly 2010 to 2017, my two most work watches were an SNK803 (the tan/khaki one) and an original Orient Mako. I had many nicer watches, but that little SNK was just so good as a daily. It was a wee bit small, but most days, I'd take a 37 over a 41.
The Seiko 5 remains one of the most popular watch ⌚ models of watch collectors in the Philippines along with Citizen, Rado , Longines, Breitling, Rolex, Omega and others.
I have 2 Orient three star watches I think it's the equivalent of the seiko 5 no hand winding no hacking just shake the watch and it starts basic cheap watch but awkward 19mm lugs.
Let's not forget the case shape too. The way crown tucks in, probably one of the most comfortable cases out there, even a similar Dresskx has a more bulky crown and crown guards.
SNKL23 owner here. The king of versatility right there, a pseudo-GADA that will be fine as soon as it’s not near water, and a great looking one with the striped dial and dolphin hands at that. If I was at the C-suite at Seiko, my decision with the old 5 line would have been easy: 1) bring some order to the madness of models to a manageable number, 2) slap a 4R36 movement on them, 3) upgrade the bracelet. But let’s be honest, if they did that, they wouldn’t sell for $100 anymore, maybe $150 or $200, and Seiko just preferred not competing on the bottom end of the market against cheap fashion quartz watches and the likes of Pagani and San Martin.
I still have one the exact one you have shown I brought it years ago from f hinds for £59 still wear it mainly in the summer still with the same strap and I have hairy arms .
I got a blue dial, gold markers/hands 5 a couple of years ago, swapped the bracelet for a matching dark blue leather strap. It's so far been the only watch in my lineup to get multiple compliments despite being one of the cheapest.
Although i prefer no date (see earlier comment) if I'm having a date I like the Seiko big day/date combo best as it so easy to read. I prefer this to colour matched date that I have to squint to try and read.
I'd say it's a great entry if you are getting something for yourself or a non-landmark birthday. The prx is really a good price point for something to last but won't pain you if it's lost or abused on an 18 year old if you did want a landmark
I want more Seiko 5s. I love the 7s26 movements, the lack of hacking means less wear and tear on the movement and these things can run for decades. I still want to collect a few and keep them long term. I love the size too, so comfy.
I rolled a 6 a few months ago and picked one up in a boot sale for next to nothing. Absolutely beautiful watch and would have kept it and wore it every day if only the case size was 39m +
I have the SNXS75, similar to the one in your review Jodie but with a darker grey dial and guilt handset. I swapped out the strap day one for an eBay jubilee and the watch is perfect for an occasional wear in the sun at a British bbq! For me the biggest pro is the dial! All the other cons disappear once you see these things in the sunlight. Great video as always Jodie.
The prices really seem to have gone up quite a lot. I bought my SNK803 for about 75 EUR a couple of years ago, thinking at the time that the price I paid was quite high as they could be had for as low as ~$40 in the US. Now the same watch costs around 130 EUR, which is almost as much as the new technically superior Seiko 5 line.
it's gone up so much. I got mine last year for £110 but now it's £150 or £170 depending on dial colour. I love the size and day and date. 3 or 4 years ago, I had the chance to get at £75 but didn't pull the trigger lol. Nowadays it's hard to find 36 or 37mm with day and date
I have a 5 powered by a 7109, a 5 powered by a 7S26 and a 7042 powered by a NH36A / 4R36… but gone Citizen Eco-Drive titanium flieger style now for $158US on a recent trip to Florida… 😎👍
Hardlex mineral crystal scratches while sapphire crystal breaks. I can't use a watch with a cracked crystal because the sapphire crystal dust will destroy the movement. Also, it's not waterproof and will probably fall out. Now acrylic crystal scratches just by looking at it but can be buffed out.
Yeah it’s a difficult one but you are spot on, your buying the brand. Having said that, only us watch nerds care about that. Strap a shiny Cadison to a spotty teenager (and apart from the inevitable ”dad iv’e got a phone to tell the time”), they would not give a jot.
I'm new to the Automatic watch collecting life. My first was the orient meastro for $100. My second Was the seiko srpg29 which I ordered direct from seiko usa and probably paid to much but i do like the watch alot. Then I saw all the older videos on the snk809 and the snkl23 when they were less than $100. I bought both but paid about $120 each. I love them. They are actually more accurate than the srpg29. I think they are still good entry level automatics. I am enjoying them alot.
Seiko should have upgraded this line instead of abandoning it.
"seiko should have done x instead of y" basically covers every decision they made in the past few years lol
Wholeheartedly agree.
Seiko got no reason to do so, when videos like this exist, that help inflate these extremely cheaply made watches to the prices they sell for. Giving them a high profit margin.
They’re still pumping out this line, but under the name Alba. Same case same movement.
They *did* upgrade the line -- the Seiko 5 Sports, with the 4R36 movements (day/date, hacking and hand-winding), 10ATM WR minimum and the "Superman 5" logo. Trouble is, they stuck with the Hardlex crystal and tripled the average price. Still a bargain compared with their Presage and Prospex lines, but Seiko did say many years ago they were "upmarketing" their lineup for sales outside Japan and so far it seems to be working for them.
Mine means a lot to me! It belonged to my future wife’s late father. I never met the man but after I proposed, her mother gifted it to me. I love the watch outside of the sentimental connection. I wear it doing just about anything from bartending to just laying around the house. It’s very comfortable, slim, stylish and shockingly accurate after not being worn for 14 years. As much as I’d love a Tudor or old Rolex on my wrist for our big day, it’s gonna be a humble Seiko 5 for the man who couldn’t be there in body. And I couldn’t be any prouder!
Amazing!
This is how any watch should truly be evaluated. Amazing story and wear it in good health.
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I've met two people who wear a Seiko 5 from their grandfathers, they have been running for 40+ years without issues!
High praise. I have Bulova watches from the 50's with the same rep.
@@CollaborativeDataAccounts nice!
I'm wearing my fathers seiko 5, I presume it's from the mid 80s. Looks and works as new
i wear my grand father's seiko 5 its still working even after 40 or maybe 45 years
Rolex is seiko for pour people……….
Seiko is bomb
classic Seiko 5 is a reminder of a period in time where a quality, reliable, aesthetically pleasing, in-house movement, and affordable automatic watch is attainable to common people.
My mum bought Blue Seiko 5 (Made in Japan) for her first sallary (she was 18 at that time) and gave it as a gift to my father. That was 56 years ago... My father wore that watch daily until ten years ago when he stopped wearing watches at all after he had a heart attack. He was good situated and wore Seiko 5 proudly even in a company of bussines partners with Omegas, Patek Philipe, etc...
my grandpa bought this watch around 20ish years ago and he's been wearing it since. It has some water damage on it but its still going strong. He hasn't been kinds to the old watch and its not in the best shape but 20 years of everyday wear and it still being worn is very impressive. I asked him if he wanted one of the newer seiko 5s for Christmas and he said he prefers his watch to any other one out there.
Patrick Bateman wore a Seiko 5 (some UA-camrs think he wore a datejust but he didn’t, it was a Seiko 5) but alas it couldn’t get him a reservation at Dorsia 😢
Let’s see Paul Allen’s watch…
Still wear mine lots. The size is perfect. That's one reason I went with this model. I have hairy arms and the bracelet never once has ripped my hair out. Yeah the bracelet could be better but what you pay for it it's hard to complain.
The fact that 2 hours into the life of this video, 120+ folk have felt strongly enough about this to comment tells you much about the pull of the '5' - and not just on your wrist hairs ! My first adult auto was an SNK and it sits in its box now, because I quickly realised I wanted a bigger dial, and a better movement - my OCD can't get past a non-hacking second hand; but I was drawn to the very pretty face with texture and the relatively cheap price as a first go-er. I splashed on the SARB035 at 400 USD plus import tax - and a SRPE57. So this 5 got me into Seiko for all their faults.
I recently got a 1982 Seiko 5 from a yard sale. Apart from the scratched crystal it runs like a champ. Keeps good time.
I've had one for many years(SNXS79), albeit slightly modded with a Sapphire Crystal. When I purchased one it was around $70. Still wear it really often, despite having much more premium watches. It's perfect for a skinnier wrist and the dark grey sunburst dial on the SNXS79 is quite a head turner. The trusty old 7s26 movement is still holding time as well as it did when it was purchased... So I'm very pleased. Lovely Review as always Jody😁 Warmest Regards 🇿🇦
may ı ask how did you change the mineral glass?
@@emre9726 hi there. I purchased a sapphire crystal from MonsterWatches (Netherlands) and then had it replaced locally by a watchmaker. It should be easy to replace yourself... There might be some YT videos to guide. I was just being a bit lazy 🤣
@@alawhie thank you for your reply
Prices are going thru the roof these days, bummer
same here, bought mine 3 years ago. it's nearly doubled in price, wow!
👍👍 I bought my first Seiko 5 way back in 1984 - I think it cost £40. It's still working perfectly. The only Seiko's I buy now are their Quartz Sapphire crystal models. I have more than enough automatic watches. As quartz is looked down on, I can still snag some bargains!
The SNXS73 was my first mechanical watch! Owned it for a couple months now and wear it everyday!
To me the coolest thing about these types of seiko 5’s is just how long seiko has been making them relatively unchanged. You can find models from as early as the mid 1960s that are near identical to the ones you can still get now. A real time capsule of a watch, I think if seiko started upgrading them with solid bracelets, sapphire, and all the bells and whistles that part of them would be lost.
My own watch, 12 yrs old, finally got the spotlight. Silver 73, what a beauty. I have replaced the original back case with the solid one to get lesser height. Sure i got a few scratches on my hardlex glass but it gives it personality.
Scratches are memories aren’t they?🔥
@@MisterTurtleTime It's a small watch my late grandpa bought me upon my graduation. It was my first automatic watch. It was never the most accurate in any way but i just adore it.
Stellar filter at the end, Jody. My dad was 6'2", 300lb, grew up working in sawmills in British Columbia (imagine the wrist): his last watch was a 34mm Seiko 5. They rock, you do too. Thanks! 👍
Thanks Joe! I've said it many times, if not our fathers, then certainly our grandfathers, wore 34mm watches. Size is all fashion and familiarity, that's all.
My first automatic watch was a Seiko 5 and I still keep two as dress watches among a watch box saturated with divers. My Seiko 5’s will always have a place in my personal collection, but that’s because they carry a sentimental value for me.
When sharing this watch hobby with bare-wristers Seiko 5 is still my gateway drug of choice, like you mentioned, I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time staring into the display case back, and listening to the movement. They’re still charming, they’re still affordable and they’re still good looking.
As i'm watching this video I have a Seiko 5 on my wrist. It looks very similar to your watch, even though it was made in 1967. It doesn't have lume on the numbers and there is no bezel, with the (plastic) crystal having an extreme curve. Very vintage! My 5 has only one click on the crown, leading to a rather elaborate procedure to adjust the date. I think the bracelet on this vintage Seiko is a little nicer than the new ones. I have hairy arms and no nipping. I love this watch and have been wearing it every day, since I bought it for $20 at a thrift store, even though I have many other watches. I gave it the Seiko shake and it has kept great time ever since, but it did need a major cleanup. As for the new Seikos, I still think they are a viable choice in $100-$150 range, but personally, I doubt I will ever buy a new watch again. I also think you are correct that Orient and Tissot are stiff competition.
The size, that’s the stopper for me. I’m on a Casio kick right now, I like the 42-42-44 mm size choice for the case and with GSHOCK, you get the durability as well. But… I still am saving up for a GS, bucket list piece for me.
I have 3, love them. They're a little fussy for a newbie since you can't handwind. 😊
I dont agree. Dancing moves are easy way to "handwind" a watch. Left right for 15 seconds as the morning training.
I discovered your channel 5 years ago on february 7th while i was in the hospital waiting for my first son to come. You recomended this watch and i fell in love with it. This march, i finally purchased it after it went on sale from $189 to $99. Silver dial. I absolutely love it. This will be my forever watch
I'v3 got a SNXS73 for number of years. I'm wearing it as my dress watch on lizard grain brown strap. Love it to the bits, small, elegant, you don't feel it all on the wrist. Looks great, feels great. Will never get rid of it, the more so it is becoming more unique as the years pass. Btw this is my first comment on JOMW, so have to say love you Jody, been watching you for years :)
Btw it has 19 mm lug width not 18.
I own a snxs77 back since 2018, sold and then regretted it, and bought it back. I love it, I use it as my dress watch on a beige leather strap, killer combo!
They're a lot less relevant now than perhaps they were, but let's not forget that for a long time if you wanted an easily obtainable, affordable, reliable, good looking mechanical watch, Seiko was one of the very few who had you covered. There's so much variety in the range there's something for everyone, and some varients are quite sought after now. I love my SNXS79 and SNXJ94 - they deserve their spots in my watch collection.
Considering that $35 Aliexpress watch you sold me on has been worn once, and my Seiko 5 has led to 5 Ebay Seiko 5s in my collection? And a 1965 Sportsmatic 5? Yea, they are so worth it.
My seiko 5 is from 1999 and looks and works as if it was made this year love it the sunburst blue dial will never get old for me
I bought the snkl23 and a stitched leather strap at the same time as I wanted the steel and leather look. The size may be less of an issue when worn a bit more formally and has the plus of being very comfortable under a sleeve. As for Ali Express, whilst I've window shopped plenty, I haven't pulled the trigger on importing as yet. When I started down the hobby, I thought that the NH35 was the basic starting point with hacking and hand winding, it's really become a non issue for me having the 7S26 and doing the Seiko shuffle. Reliable simple and cheap. Whilst I would love sapphire, I'm fairly careful with my watches and figured that if I eventually do scratch it, I'll replace it with a crystal times sapphire replacement someday. Hasn't happened as yet. This just leaves the positives.
I bought my first Seiko a few years ago, an SNK793, after they'd already retired the old Seiko 5 line. At the end there when you knocked out all the cons, those were basically all the reasons that I bought it. I have a smaller, hairless wrist, I wear it almost everyday and try to avoid getting it wet or scratched. And I love what Seiko is all about. Those old watches are basically made for me.
It's just sad that they discontinued them and moved on to larger diameter watches in the 5 Sports line but they did recently release a 38mm SKX style watch that I'm seriously thinking about getting.
yes srpk29 looks nice. I love small cases
Wearing my SNKL15 as I'm watching this and I love it! Holds a special place in my heart as my first auto. Got me interested in watches and now there's no looking back. Thanks for the great vid Jody, and I couldn't agree with you more.
I'm one of the crazy ones that love these jingly jangle style of bracelets. I enjoy how light they are. I wear my snxs79 all the time.
Must say Jody, sub 39 mm is almost mandatory for those of us at < 6.9” wrist. You can get away with a 42 mm depending on the watch design overall. Great review as always and much appreciated. Thanks!
My first mechanical watch was the SNK807 field watch. It got me all caught up in this watch craziness.
I would say it’s still a good buy, as long as you’re cool with not having the modern amenities like hacking and handwinding. If you’re not hung up on specs, it’s definitely a great buy!
Or accuracy
@@davidf3974 you can easily do a movement swap and they are easy to regulate.
@@waynesellers4078 Swapping the old, no longer produced movement is usually cost as much or more than the watch itself.
@@AlwaysPossible100 Thats the new Seiko 5, idk whether old Seiko 5 case can contain new 4r35.
@@bigboiganiga8356 You can still buy the 7s26 with ease for like $35. Alba still uses these movements for its automatic watches. You can swap a 4R into most older Seiko 5 without any issues. I have a modded SNXS with 4R36, just need to swap out the holder to fit the movement in older Seiko 5s.
Cons outweigh the pros for me which is probably why I don’t own one. I have two Cadisens. Silver and black and I love them. The black looks like it cost thousands. I put the silver on an inexpensive mesh bracelet and it looks fantastic. If I tripped over the right Seiko 5 at a great price I might fill the hole in my collection but for me they are irrelevant. Great vid. Jody you are a rock star. Merci!
I picked up an SNXS79 (the one with the grey sunburst dial) for my dad for around 90 Euros (sold by an authorized dealer) a couple of years ago and I find this to be a stunning watch for the price range. The lack of handwinding is a bit of an irritating factor when the watch is not worn daily, but in the overall scheme of this offer I think you can live with the 7s26 and its quirks.
For the money they are still good watches. I bought a Seiko 5 two months ago, put a sapphire crystal from crystal times and a dial from Yobokies, a nice strap from Amazon and gave it to my mother for Mothers day.
I actually owned a black-dialed Seiko 5 that was purchased during the Vietnam War by my father in Vietnam. It was replaced about 12 years later by a Casio digital watch when I was a Casio salesman.
I upgraded mine with a 19mm ss strap with screw links, kept the og hollow end links. I recently upgraded the clasp of my san Martin bb 36 homage with the otf microadjust. So the original clasp from the san Martin fits perfectly on the Seiko. Just feels like a different watch now
I have 5 or 6 of these and love them all. I have 7.5 + wrists. The bracelets get junked and I get a kick out of transforming them with a nice leather strap that costs 25% of the cost of the original watch or more. They are so cheap to start with if you hunt and are patient. I use them for the office or for smarter situations and they give such quality and variety for minimal outlay. I’ve even moved on one or two and got most of the money back by keeping the unused bracelet safe in the box. They look classy and almost vintage now..
Awesome video Jody! I think the old Seiko 5’s are way more beautiful than the newer onces. And I prefer those trusty 7s movements over the 4r calibers. I don’t know but there’s something charming about shaking the watch😂
My first auto was SNKP17 and I still wear it admiringly. But yes Seiko should upgrade some weak points of their Seiko 5 line like the poor bracelet and the crystal.
my seiko5 20year+ now but it still running smoothly⌚
I like this because it is like buying a brand new vintage watch, so relevant for me!
Not even watched it yet but come on is this even a question! Of course the 5 has a place.I actually have the first seiko 5 model in my collection (restored by me) from 1964 a Seiko Sportsmatic
Bought my first Seiko 5 in the Persian Gulf in the mid 1970s. Worked fine for a couple of decades until the attraction of digital accuracy became irresistible.
I still have mine from 1998 back when they were less than £100. The links failed, the mineral crystal scratched and then the automatic winding stopped working after going near some radio broadcasting equipment as it seems to have become faintly magnetised. It sits there unused as its about £200 for a repair.
My seiko 5 actus, made in Sept. 1976 (now it is June 2023) has been serviced in 2022 (1st time ever) and it looks like new....it works so fine (the watch man probably did an excellent work) around -5 seconds/day.
I still have my SNX997 in a drawer. One of the first watches I bought for myself so i have a soft spot for it. Never liked the minimal power reserve but after watching this video I might wear mine this weekend.
the more watches I buy, the more I realize how important the day-date "complication" is to me and how much I miss the SKX :(
Love my snxs75 with a jubilee bracelet, sapphire and gold fluted bezel. I get that old school watch I just can't get anywhere else. This line scratches all my itches
I love Seiko 5, they are doing a wonderful job. I'm not bothered by shaky bracelet and mineral Crystal. It's all good and the 7S26 movement on my watch is very accurate. My Seiko 5 gains 5-6 seconds in 2 weeks, so very accurate.
By the way I have the same watch in grey dial version 😊
I have multiples. Not small on my 7 inch wrist. The dials are just spectacular. I’ve upgraded the Chrystal and bracelet. Mine run to within -5 seconds per day. Super happy with them.
I always thought my one was a fake. I stunned to learn it's a genuine.
My snk381, with its military background, looks and feels fantastic on a black single pass strap. Great at the office or on the weekend.
I like this watch so much that I bought the ones with the silver, grey, and blue dials. 2 of each as I couldn’t find them for a while and because I can give them as gifts to family and friends. The bracelet doesn’t bother me at all even though I have hairy arms. Neither does the “UFO like case.” I have other Seiko 5s that I put on leather straps because they look a lot better on straps. For me this specific 5 will always be relevant because it has a timeless design. Thanks for the review.
I have a black dial snxs79k and i bough a jubilee bracelet for it and it works awesome. It changes the whole watch.
My SNKL23 on mesh will forever have a spot in my collection, it has a place besides watches worth multiple thousands. This is still one of the best lines to come out of Seiko imo. Seiko 5s for everybody, no matter the size of your wallet!
Just landed a SNKK87K1, and Im proper chuffed about it. Simple yet elegant - just seems like a well put together solid little timepiece.
I bought a SNXS79 8 years back for $70, still works well to this date with decent accuracy. Cheap but they are reliable and fun to own. Bought a SNXS75 and SNKL23 for around $100 last year. You cannot find the older Seiko 5s for those prices anymore because they have become scarce. If you are not fussy about the accuracy and the basic specs, these small Seiko 5s are great gateway into mechanical watches. Just have a bunch of straps and you are good to go if you dont like the bracelet. Or Aliexpress for bracelets options.
Funny thing, I bought this because I really like the bracelet. I like the old style presidential look. Plus Ive got an 8 inch wrist and a few hairs, but providing you keep it reasonably tight it doesn't pull hairs. Great watch.
Wearing one of mine when I saw this video, my 05R4. My first auto as an adult, after years of wearing a digital.Still going un-serviced after more than 25 years. I have hairy arms but the 5 link bracelet on mine never pulls at them. I am not a tiler & the crystal is still fine, & the lack of accuracy doesn't bug me. I have a Citizen Chronomaster if I need to catch a train in Tokyo. But I do love the display caseback. I've even upgraded one of my titanium 5s from the 1970s to an NH35 (or similar) after the old 7S26 movt died.
I have several Seiko 5 and love each and every one of them as they fit my small wrist like a glove. I upgraded the crystal to a sapphire and bracelet very cheaply and now they look how they should look. Don’t pay over their price though it’s my advice! Great review Dr Jody! ❤
I noticed recently in a high street store that stocked Seiko. They had also a brand called Lorus (part of the Seiko group). In this Lorus display were a small selection of watches with automatic movements. They were similar in appearance to the 5's, but significantly cheaper.
The size is a little large but acceptable for me. I hate Day/Date but love the styling even with the hideous day date. I would prefer more water resistance. Mine came off the bracelets as soon as I got them home (except for the SKX because I still can't get the stupid thing off)
My little SNK is still relevant in 2023. I’ll never get rid of it and if I have to I’ll be straight onto buying another asap
Sapphire crystal and manual winding would make them much more relevant
As a Seiko fan, I have to say you really hot the nail squarely on the head with this video review. Thank you for such a great rundown.
i'm super sad that they've been discontinued. They were the perfect entry point into mechanical watches and are still fantastic today. And they were great for my modding endeavors lol
I’ve got this one. I absolutely love it. The dial is beautiful with the sunburst effect. For me the size is perfect. It keeps good time. I agree on the bracelet. I just put it on a brown leather and it’s so comfortable. (By the way it’s 19mm lug not 18) 👍🏻
Keep in mind, there are many varieties of the older Seiko 5s: bigger dials, different complications, different straps, those with the 4r movements, and even those with up to 200m water resistance.
I just sold this exact model for the same money I paid for it 4 years ago on eBay. Can't argue with that value!
Pick one of the field-style, with a nylon strap - your arm hairs are safe! And a hack to get around the lack of hacking: if the power is below maybe 30-40% or so (here's the scenario: watch has run down completely, you pick it up, give it the shakey-shake to wake it up and then want to set the time) Pull crown out to time-setting position and apply very gentle back-pressure on it (i.e. as if winding time backwards but not quite) and you can 'stop' the second hand pretty much spot on to pseudo-hack it!! Hardly essential, but can be fun. Lovely little watches.
I lucked out on an SNXS77 (like the one in the video but with the blue dial). Amazing watch.
We need more of these please. Dem new ones got pretty thick. We need thinner ones. I’m still rockin a snk3, my first and favorite
I like this clock, even though it's old, it still looks different from my other friends. Thank you for giving the best impression❤
No affordable Chinese watch brand whose value proposition is in the material specs will ever hold a candle to the brand cache of the Seiko 5 range.
I concur. I have 2 little Grandson's one 8 and one 11. This would be a great first watch for them .I would pay a bit extra too for the sapphire.
I have the same one but with the dark blue dial and it doesn't fit my 8" wrist! With the mirco adjust all the way out it will close but it's too tight to wear. I had to put it on a NATO and being 19" lug width doesn't help.
Good vid. Many good points. I don't wear them much these days, but from roughly 2010 to 2017, my two most work watches were an SNK803 (the tan/khaki one) and an original Orient Mako. I had many nicer watches, but that little SNK was just so good as a daily. It was a wee bit small, but most days, I'd take a 37 over a 41.
The Seiko 5 remains one of the most popular watch ⌚ models of watch collectors in the Philippines along with Citizen, Rado , Longines, Breitling, Rolex, Omega and others.
I have 2 Orient three star watches I think it's the equivalent of the seiko 5 no hand winding no hacking just shake the watch and it starts basic cheap watch but awkward 19mm lugs.
Let's not forget the case shape too. The way crown tucks in, probably one of the most comfortable cases out there, even a similar Dresskx has a more bulky crown and crown guards.
SNKL23 owner here. The king of versatility right there, a pseudo-GADA that will be fine as soon as it’s not near water, and a great looking one with the striped dial and dolphin hands at that.
If I was at the C-suite at Seiko, my decision with the old 5 line would have been easy: 1) bring some order to the madness of models to a manageable number, 2) slap a 4R36 movement on them, 3) upgrade the bracelet. But let’s be honest, if they did that, they wouldn’t sell for $100 anymore, maybe $150 or $200, and Seiko just preferred not competing on the bottom end of the market against cheap fashion quartz watches and the likes of Pagani and San Martin.
I still have one the exact one you have shown I brought it years ago from f hinds for £59 still wear it mainly in the summer still with the same strap and I have hairy arms .
I got a blue dial, gold markers/hands 5 a couple of years ago, swapped the bracelet for a matching dark blue leather strap. It's so far been the only watch in my lineup to get multiple compliments despite being one of the cheapest.
Love my SNK601's textured dial but thick lugs prevent bracelet change
Although i prefer no date (see earlier comment) if I'm having a date I like the Seiko big day/date combo best as it so easy to read. I prefer this to colour matched date that I have to squint to try and read.
Because of the mineral crystal.. my second obvious choice is a Tissot
SNK809 and SKX013 both get heavy wrist time here. Love them both.
I'd say it's a great entry if you are getting something for yourself or a non-landmark birthday. The prx is really a good price point for something to last but won't pain you if it's lost or abused on an 18 year old if you did want a landmark
I want more Seiko 5s. I love the 7s26 movements, the lack of hacking means less wear and tear on the movement and these things can run for decades. I still want to collect a few and keep them long term. I love the size too, so comfy.
I did so with 20+ with double purchase.. no regret ever.
Seiko shuffle!
agreed. I absolutely love my Seiko 5's and the 7S26 is bulletproof.
So comfy so long as one has minimal arm hair!
@@JustOneMoreWatch uncleseiko makes bracelet for them
I rolled a 6 a few months ago and picked one up in a boot sale for next to nothing. Absolutely beautiful watch and would have kept it and wore it every day if only the case size was 39m +
Seiko 5's are great provided you don't wind them at your desk at work and later have to explain later yourself to HR.
I have the SNXS75, similar to the one in your review Jodie but with a darker grey dial and guilt handset. I swapped out the strap day one for an eBay jubilee and the watch is perfect for an occasional wear in the sun at a British bbq! For me the biggest pro is the dial! All the other cons disappear once you see these things in the sunlight.
Great video as always Jodie.
I still have 10 models that I bought 5 years ago and they still run strong. 😊
The prices really seem to have gone up quite a lot. I bought my SNK803 for about 75 EUR a couple of years ago, thinking at the time that the price I paid was quite high as they could be had for as low as ~$40 in the US. Now the same watch costs around 130 EUR, which is almost as much as the new technically superior Seiko 5 line.
it's gone up so much. I got mine last year for £110 but now it's £150 or £170 depending on dial colour. I love the size and day and date. 3 or 4 years ago, I had the chance to get at £75 but didn't pull the trigger lol. Nowadays it's hard to find 36 or 37mm with day and date
I have a 5 powered by a 7109, a 5 powered by a 7S26 and a 7042 powered by a NH36A / 4R36… but gone Citizen Eco-Drive titanium flieger style now for $158US on a recent trip to Florida… 😎👍
Hardlex mineral crystal scratches while sapphire crystal breaks. I can't use a watch with a cracked crystal because the sapphire crystal dust will destroy the movement. Also, it's not waterproof and will probably fall out. Now acrylic crystal scratches just by looking at it but can be buffed out.
Yeah it’s a difficult one but you are spot on, your buying the brand. Having said that, only us watch nerds care about that. Strap a shiny Cadison to a spotty teenager (and apart from the inevitable ”dad iv’e got a phone to tell the time”), they would not give a jot.
I'm new to the Automatic watch collecting life. My first was the orient meastro for $100. My second Was the seiko srpg29 which I ordered direct from seiko usa and probably paid to much but i do like the watch alot. Then I saw all the older videos on the snk809 and the snkl23 when they were less than $100. I bought both but paid about $120 each. I love them. They are actually more accurate than the srpg29. I think they are still good entry level automatics. I am enjoying them alot.