Seiko 5 GMT: Don't buy! 

complain, but with love, in most cases

Well said. Don’t know what he expected. He wants a true in-house GMT movement, with sapphire and ratcheting bezel, all for under $500. Unrealistic.

The biggest problem is QC and I always will complain when I get a watch that isn't put together correctly. A major brand like Seiko should be able to improve but as I experienced for the last 15 years, they don't. And it's not related to the price of a watch. You can buy a $2000 Seiko and get dust on the dial, misaligned printing, chapter ring, bezel etc. That's why buyers complain.

@@joeybossolo7 better QC, as always 😉

that's a sorry excuse for not doing your job. it doesn't matter the cost of the watch. do your job properly or don't do it at all. wtf is wrong with you?

Same here. I have several hardlex Seikos and none of them have a single scratch. And the GMT is absolutely a gimmick! But man I love that gimmick (only have one GMT watch and it’s a Seiko 6R.

@@AgonxOC DITTO!! My hardlex original Shogun is still scratch free. I just ordered this Seiko 5 sport in Orange.

i can attest to this, i have orange monster Gen 2 for some years. the scratch mark is unable to be seen and so small that one need a lope magnifier to be found

My I have several Seiko's with the hardlex crystal and all of them have scratches, some fairly deep.

🤝👌

That's a great price! If you get one with good QC that's wonderful 👍👍

Where did you buy it for 280$?

I know it looks cool to me .

@@zaindhorajiwala8571 ebay selling one right now, just got one

you can customise the watch and modify whatever you dont like as new.

Hello, I'm glad you enjoy them, that's the whole point of buying these mini time capsules 😊. As everyone was unanimous in saying that these were absolute bargains I wanted to present the other POV. Keep on enjoying yours!

Obviously, it's a bargain to someone who can afford to buy three $500 watches at a time, at the height of their sales value🙄. At 63, it's easy for you to defend hardlex, but the rest of us can scratch it up easily without "using our watches as hammers". Btw, it wasn't Seiko's "nice idea" to put it on their bezel insert. It was Seiko cutting costs by not using sapphire like other companies do. Seiko has become the greediest watch company in the world today. It's a joke that (with their huge margins compared to smaller companies) they sell a $500 watch that doesn't include things like: sapphire, a signed crown, a milled clasp, a clicking bezel etc. when others can offer all those things for a fraction of the price. They can't even package it in a decent watch box for Christ's sake! All this, and the worst QC in the industry to top it off. I hope you enjoy your five Seiko GMT's when the other color variations come out... you know, because the GMT function isn't gimmicky at all in today's world 🙄

I’m on the same page as you Michael! See my comment just added!! 👍

Haha then I've had a lot of Friday afternoon Seikos in my time 🤣

I actually enjoy the bezel not having a ratchet because it aligns perfectly with anything - I wish my Glycine GMT didn’t have it either instead of a 48-hour click one!

cant you just readjust the GMT hand back after you change to local time? It takes no time at all

This watch is an 'office GMT' not 'travel GMT' in the sense that you can freely adjust the GMT hand without the local time moving, but not the other way around. Google more about it, but hope it helps

I'm glad that you are enjoying it 👍. With Seiko QC is a matter of luck and at this price point it shouldn't be

Made in Japan, that's some kind of quality guarantee. 🎉

How can we get a Japan made ?

I'm really glad you are enjoying yours! I but give my point of view here, stating that it's only that. Peace ✌️

The same here, is an incredible watch for the money

Sheep

​¹a@@Psysso

You're right and I own one myself but I've never seen a Seiko 5 GMT for

@@enasnI127 Yes - I was referring to the standard version. Congrats on your Seiko 5 GMT. It’s a beautiful and ultra reliable timepiece.

Thank you Dave! Yes that's a good point! It's also up to us

Too true. I pointed out a major misalignment on a Seiko I was about to buy and they changed it for the one on display then put the dodgy one back in stock.

@@davids1194 that's really dissapointing. As long as we continue buying nothing will change

@@davids1194 we definitely deserve better 👍

Yes correct .. if im buying from a shop ill ask to see several n then pick best one

£280 at H.M Samuel

@@jamiek7289 that's a great price

@@jamiek7289 H Samuel's are rich pickings. My local branch seem always ready to do sweet deals.

Totally, at that price and with no QC issues you wouldn't see me complaining, quiet the contrary

Thank you very much for the support! As for the watch I'm really glad you got a deal for it and that you are enjoying yours, after all that's all that matters 👍

Unless you are actually going diving you’ll be fine. I wear my Seiko 5s (30m WR) to the beach all the time. The idea that a crown needs to screw down for WR is a myth. And if you look at Seiko’s proprietary design you’ll see that unlike Rolex it doesn’t need the crown to secure the seal. So while a Rolex will or could let water in with the crown unscrewed a Seiko won’t have that problem.

Thank you for your comment my friend. To be fair most of the dust is over the crystal, it's my fault for not cleaning it up properly (although it's amazing how dust lingers under macro). What was the Seiko you bought?

👀

Slightly garish insert? How? Where? WTF are you talking about? It’s a GMT bezel. I’ve never seen anyone else refer to it this way, and I’ve watched tons of reviews and read hundreds of comments.

Wow. Can you upload a photo of that mod aomewhere?

Thank you so much! It's true they have used the case design extensively!

Totally, thank you for your comment 👍

Thanks mate. I'm totally for them building on what they already have but what pisses me off is the Hodinkee crowd prasing the fact it's "so affordable". It's just not when they are building in what they already have

@@Horologique lol the Hondinkee crowd are a bunch of apes

Thank you dor your insight Steve, it's precious coming from a decades old user and lover of Seiko watches. Seiko used to be my favourite brand, and I wouldn't have minded all the classic quirks if their prices hadn't Risen so much without upping the quality

I have a San Martin GMT Master II clone with sapphire crystal, ceramic 24 click bi-directional bezel, and screw down crown with 200 meters of water resistance. It costs less than what Seiko is asking for.

Thanks for buying chinese mr demo

You will certainly get that very soon 👍

That price point doesn't make sense they will never let it get that low.

@@Chris-de2qc £280 atm at H.M Samuel.

@@jamiek7289 its 400 at H.M Samuel

@itskoota I just got this from H Samuel with their 30% discount. for £294.

Available here in Japan on Amazon for the equivalent of around £260 or $320.

That's wonderdul, as I say in the video as long as you don't have QC issues, you are ok with its weaknesses and you got it at the right price it's a good watch

Thank you, I'm glad you think so as well! You are absolutely right, this is almost Prospex Money for a watch that lacks Prospex advantages: WR, sapphire... I still think I'm the only one on the RU-vid watch space holding these views, everyone else is praising this watch, at least major RU-vidrs and many viewers as well, but I guess that almost $500 is nothing for them 😂

​@@Horologique I have an opportunity to buy this watch in black for 350 but still on the fence about it. I think your video did do a very good job of highlight the goods and the bads.....it made a lot of sense to me. It is a very nice looking watch but looks can only go so far. I really like your view point!!! You review watches very well, love your Channel and got a new Subscriber!!!

@@Crimson_626 thank you so much for the support 👍👍

That's a correct pricing for this watch indeed, as long as it doesn't come with QC issues. Enjoy it to the fullest 👍

How did you end paying just £360? I found them for £400 everywhere. Which dealer? Would appreciate the inputs!

@@muhammaddaniyalubaidullah8363 I signed up to the mailing list for ‘First Class Watches’ and got 10% off 🙌

@@mattwebb4561 Thanks for that bro!

At that price and with no QC issues I can totally get behind this watch

It is indeed, better than Seiko for sure

I have a Tissot PRX auto. Top notch quality. If I was to spend the same money on a Seiko diver, the bezel would be misaligned for sure.

Thank you so much for your support Mike! As you can see this is a very divisive subject 😂

Well put sir

I bought the black GMT for $357 as I was lucky enough to get 25% on a July 4th sale here in the US. At that price it's a fantastic bargain. Yes, Seiko's QC problems are an issue and very disappointing. But I think folks don't understand that they are just operating at such a bigger scale than microbrands and Chinese manufacturers, so ensuring QC is much more difficult. Also, they are designing and selling watches to their ADs for not much more than the price of some of the better microbrands or Chinese companies. Whole sale price of watches distributed through ADs is about 50-60% of the suggested Retail price. So, Seiko is probably selling this watch to dealers at around $250-280, which is not that much more than a San Martin's retail price. Microbrands and Chinese manufacturers sell direct and thus don't have to allow for dealer profit. They can price much more aggressively. I'd be surprised if some of the Chinese companies are making more than 10-15% profit off each unit. They have minimal R&D, design, marketing costs and just crank out homages based on the work of the established brands, though some trying out new designs of their own making (though still influenced by old designs). So, of course, they can offer fantastic value with sapphire crystal, milled clasp (as all divers use the exact same clasp found on Ali-express for a few dollars). And when you see how many units they make and move on Aliexpress, it's sometimes as low as a couple dozen units per model (100-200 is a breakout seller). Finally the entire microbrand sector would not exist without Seiko and Citizen Miyota making and selling movements to them.

@@catlike1 hello Ed and thank you for your very sensible response. At around the 350 dollar mark I reckon this is fair value. You are absolutely right about the challenges Seiko has to offer against what Chinese brands do. That's why I appreciate Chinese brands with original designs! They are few but they exist, even from San Martin 😉

@@Horologique I agree with pretty much everything you said and have made the same arguments myself in responses in several other reviews. The other side of the coin however…first, a 6r movement wouldn’t have worked (in my understanding of how they developed this movement) as it lacks the day to modify into the gmt and would have required the development of a new movement rather than a modification of an existing movement. The price at full msrp is definitely high when you focus on what it isn’t and I agree completely with you on the Hardlex, lack of screw down crown and clasp (the bracelet is ok…the clasp sucks). But if you consider what it IS….a functional GMT movement for sub $500 usd from a major manufacturer…..more importantly a manufacturer that provides movements that are going to allow some solid microbrands to bring gmt offerings to the market it’s a good thing. And once the “gotta have it first” rush dies off, the street price will drop dramatically and a year from now we’re going to be a lot happier with what it is. I agree however that they put a better bracelet on it with a milled clasp, sapphire crystal and screw down crown and market it in the Prospex line and I’d pay $700 for one 😂

@@johnmoyer9719 now that you say it you are totally right about the 6r movement. Totally, at $300 to $350 this is totally another proposition. My pet peev was hearing all the mainstream press praising this watch, I really had to give the other side of the argument 😉

I really don't get it either, especially at this higher price point 🤔

I have my SKX Alpinist that's I bought $400 new... those were the days 😢

That's a wonderdul price totally in line with what this watch has to offer. If you can check that you get one with good QC

Hello Jefferson. The alternative would be with Steihanrt, their Ocean One GMT line. Otherwise, if you want to stay below the $400 there's the San Martin GMT as well: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tlBWpi0KKIM.html

@@Horologique Those are just knock-off watches, homages at best

Wonderful price! Don't hesitate to share the link it tell us where you got it

Thank you for sharing your opinion as well. That's what mine is, just an opinion, and I try my best to give both positive and negative points about this watch to all the viewers so they can make an informed decision 👍

That's a good price, if you can also check the QC is OK then you've got yourself a deal!

Thank you for sharing your great experience with Seiko 5s! Great watches indeed that used to cost way below $100, but that's in the past 😢

That's an amazing price and an amazing watch 👍

My wrist is 17cm or around 7 inches. Ot wears wonderdul

That's great, you are lucky! As ling6as you end uo with a watch you love, that's a great investment 👍

Thank you very much for your comment. My version came with a very misaligned chapter ring as you can see in yhe6close ups. That's my major pet peev against this watch for the price asked. If you can find one for less money and with good QC then it might be worth it, they are beautiful after all, and that will be for you to decide. Good luck 👍

Thank you! In spite of the title6of the video you can see that I point to both positives and negatives. And more than a year after I still have this watch 😁

It just might, with good care and servicing a mechanical timepiece can last decades

Where

Thank you so much 👍👍

That's wondeful, you got lucky! I still have mine but I really wish it didn't have those terrible alignment issues

@@Horologique I wish it didn’t either my friend.

I do man, I'm a watch nerd😅

I do 🤣. That's a good price and at that price, of you get decent enough QC, I can totally get behind this watch

Where did you get it for this price

Totally! And don't forget San Martin 😁

I made a video about the first one from Venezianico: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3Hw87GGq9Wc.html There's another from a Singaporean brand called Vesuviate

Thank you very much! Yes I heard the WR resistance is terrible but once you know to keep it away from water it's a bargain

@@Horologique the display back version failed a RU-vidr pressure test.. I bought the solid steel case . I suspect the WR is better. However I use digital scuba equipment for actual diving.

Thank you so much my friend! Dissapointing is the term, we have really let Seiko get away with too much, it's time they get their act together. Have a great Sunday and start of the week 👍

@@Horologique you too my friend!

At that price point if you can get one with good QC then yes, it's a good buy

They did! And for worst watches but at a quarter of the price I have the Pagani GMT coming up for review soon 👍

What do you mean Orient spiked their prices? You mean with the Bambino 38mm? Because I haven't seen any other price increases from them

@@Horologique for Singapore and Malaysia, they raise price for old and new model in July.

I just purchased the GMT rarely travel. I live in Australia and use it to keep track of what time sporting events start in the US & also to know when I can speak to my friends that live in London. It's very useful

Seiko 5s are made in Malaysia. There's some debate as to where the JDM ones are made, I would say in the same Malaysian factories

@@Horologique mine is printed Made in Japan.

@@dennissourvanos737 That means you've got the J version, so SSK003J1

@@Horologique The hang tag is SSK019.

At that proce6and with those characteristics it's great! Just hope it had sapphire

At that price it's a fairly decent deal if you can find one without QC issues

In that case it's a good deal and I can totally jump behind it... but for the huge QC issues that should be resolved

Thank you so much Nelson! Seiko is also one if ky favourite brands despite its flaws

Thank you! For the right price and with good QC this is a good watch, very attractive

You are damn right about the particularity of the hardlex 👌. Why not get one and try to mod it with a sapphire crystal?

@@Horologique Hey that actually sounds like a lot of fun. I’ve never really thought about it and don’t necessarily know where to start. Do you know if they make aftermarket crystal for these as they’re newer and a tad larger than other 5’s?

@@bendawg69420 you can try DLW watches or Uncle Seiko, which are the biggest names on Seiko modding parts

Update: My local dealer had a 25% off sale. With a $25 gift card they had sent me in the mail I got the orange boi for right under $380!

@@bendawg69420 that's a price I understand, especially if yo7 get ti check the QC of the timepiece you are getting

Totally agree with you man, I would also add tge lack os a sapphire crystal

Why do people always complain, get that watch for 50£ and stop whining. The watch offers a lot for a reasonable prize. Seiko is seiko.

I know right?

At that price and if you manage to find one with good QC it's a good buy. But only IF!

@@Horologique Luckily This one seems fine to me. There is no missed alignment.

@@peakyblyater8636 congrats 👏