The SNKL45 is becoming harder and harder to find at a good price as it starts to creep up in popularity. The radiant blue sunburst dial of the SRPE53 compliments the polished bezel, and brushed bracelet, although this watch would look just as at home on a NATO strap or leather band. The brushed case lugs contrast with the high-polished bezel, and all-silver dial, pairing with the beautiful (although quite uncomfortably hair-pulling) mixed-metal bracelet. It features a slightly “boxier” case design with lugs that protrude geometrically in an almost Rolex-like fashion, making it wear a bit larger and sportier than its 37mm diameter would suggest. Seiko 5s typically use the entry-level 7S26 or slightly upgraded 4R36 movement. Both movements are made in-house by Seiko, a rarity in affordable watchmaking.

They’re mostly unique designs made by Seiko, a very well-regarded company in the watch world, and while these watches aren’t top-of-the-line (for the price, you can’t expect them to be) they’ve become a bit of an icon in their own right.

Leather strap watches tend to fit without a problem for most wearers. However, watches fitted with metal bracelets often need adjusting to get the perfect fit. From the humble-yet-mighty 5 series all the way up to Grand Seiko timepieces, the range of Seiko’s prices is wide. Collectors will find plenty of modest and high-end options, but Seiko is a solid option overall for the casual watch-wearer looking for extreme quality at surprisingly approachable price points. With that said, the Seiko 5s are not perfect. They have a hardlex crystal which isn’t as scratch resistant as sapphire, their included bracelets and straps are mediocre and sometimes downright uncomfortable, and the included 7S26 is reliable, albeit basic, and can be inaccurate. If you’re somebody who wants to swim with your watch, get a Seiko 5 Sports instead of a regular Seiko 5. The Seiko 5 Sports often have 100 meters of water resistance which is enough to safely swim with, while older models usually have around 30 meters, which is not enough. Movement

They were made to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Seiko and became the go-to suggestion for new watch collectors. I also like the case design better on the SNKL45, albeit I haven't seen the SNKL23 in person so that could change my opinion about the watch overall. The only thing I prefer on the latter is perhaps the second hand, which isn't red. I might grow to like the red second hand more if I had the watch for a while, who knows.

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The Seiko 5 Sports GMTs from Seiko change the game. They’re the most affordable automatic GMT watches you can find from a well-known brand. While many of us might not need such an apparatus on our watch, one that our phones can likely do better for us non-divers, I like using it to time how much time is left for food in the oven, or how much time I have left in a parking meter. It’s hard to go wrong with a watch with such classic dimensions that looks great on any wrist, looks great on just about any strap and happens to be one of the most affordable automatic watches you can buy.

The amount of jewels in a Seiko 5 varies depending on the movement used. Watches with the 7S26 movement have 21 jewels, and those with the 4R34 and 4R36 have 24 jewels. Some older, vintage Seiko 5s that use discontinued movements have 17 jewels. What About Vintage Seiko 5s? One of the main things that can affect how a watch looks is the dial. Not only do you have to choose a dial color and layout that suits you, but also one with the right finish. Sunburst watch dials can be a bit flashy, as they vary greatly in different lighting conditions, while glossy or matte dials usually look rather neutral.You may have noticed there are two different types of Seiko 5, the regular with a “5” badge logo, and those with a Seiko 5 Sports logo. How do these two differ? When purchasing a watch which has a metal bracelet with adjustable links, we will gladly adjust the watch bracelet to fit your wrist before sending the watch to you - free of charge! Having a watch case with so many precisely machined edges that vary in their finish, from brushed to polish, is rare in most watches, let alone watches this affordable. The top-brushed lugs are accented by a polished bevel that really adds some visual dimensions when viewing this watch from different angles.

It has dauphine hands and a surprising red second hand that adds a pop of color and sportiness, breaking the watch out of the mold of all o the other plain and simple dress watches on the market. Anyway, the SRPD55 is a classic dive watch design. It “just” has 100 meters of water resistance, which is supposedly not enough for spoiled Seiko purists, but is more than enough for the average joe like myself who just wants to take a dip in the pool, or swim at the beach, and isn’t going on a serious dive expedition. Seiko 5 watches are durable, and their 7S26/4R36 movements are reliable workhorses known to withstand some abuse and survive it. This is generally a very simple procedure. We can do this for you, or you can get the watch adjusted locally. Option 1. Specify your wrist measurement and we will adjust it before being sent

Free Strap Adjustment

They’re some of the cheapest automatic watches anyone can buy, meaning they don’t need a battery to run. But, despite their affordable price tag, they have durable, solid movements that will last you for years. And they’re made by Seiko, a brand highly recognized for its exceptional quality and value. While the watches are great, the included bracelet or strap on the older 5 models leaves a bit to be desired. The metal bands are often hollow feeling, hair-pulling, and difficult to adjust. When buying an older 5, you might want to consider that you might want to spend a bit extra to find a replacement strap down the line.