I'm SUPER new to watch collecting (I only had one basic quartz Fossil watch until maybe 6 months ago) and today I picked up the gray dial version of this one as my first Seiko AND first automatic. (I wanted the blue dial, but I found the gray dial for the equivalent of about $190 US, so I pulled the trigger.) Loving it so far. I just can't stop looking at it. :)
What makes the new 5 logo interesting, at least to me, is that it cunningly integrates all three identity markers of the old Seiko 5 Sport watches. The new laidback 5 can equally be read as a laidback S, and if you look at just the outline of the figure in a kind of bleary-eyed, unfocused way you can see the shape of the shield upon which the old 5 was always emblazoned. A brilliant instance of the graphic design genius the Japanese are so justly famous for.
exactly My thoughts! never understood why people don't like it. The old one was awful, but this one is great, one of the reasons why I purchased this watch actually
These ones I like a lot. Honestly I believe the prices now are laughable... 1-2 years in production and the gray market will sell these at about half of what you can get 'em now. Also I do believe that the Seiko Alpinist bracelets fit this case... (not 100% sure so don't quote me on that). Anyways - great watch and video! (btw I'm that dude from Watches Gadgets and Stuff channel that hated on your Proteus video... Lol)
Minor correction, the bracelet links are hollow folded, if you look carefully you'll be able to see a line running along their length where the two pieces meet. I like these new Seikos, and I wish more companies would do bezel-less diver style watches, I think there is a market for them. They balance that sporty and dressy look quite well which makes them very versatile for everyday use in any setting.
Love mine. Picked it up for $177 (on sale at Macys, full MSRP $285). I bought the gray sunburst dial with the brushed bezel. Absolutely brilliant. I think it was a decent price, but I'm no watch expert.
I bought one on a nato from Macy’s over the holidays for 184 USD. Grey version after seeing this and Shane’s review at Relative Time. Very pleased with it. Watch for sales. Good daily ware. Worn on a variety of straps. Strapcode makes a bracelet for it I’ll probably get
Definitely a good choice for them new blood in the watch game. But when I first saw this model and read the specs, I couldn't stop thinking about the sarb033, about how much better it is, being old and with better specs and better case design.
I just cant understand that with the economies of scale that Seiko/Epson have why they dont out spec everything else on the market? They clearly could if they so chose. Adding sapphire, signed crowns solid links etc etc would be trivial in cost (to them) yet add so much more value to the consumer. I have felt for quite a long time that Seiko as a value proposition is actually now quite poor.
Marc Riches My guess is that they look at the market, measure what they think their name is worth, and design watches for all price points. The challenge becomes explaining that their very expensive watches are worth it. In my mind, Seiko has marketed themselves as the value alternative to European watch making. How does that value proposition add up when you increase the price of your standard watches to Swiss levels?
LOOOOOOOVE this watch (especially in “GILT”) ....it’s been a minute since I’ve been so excited about a new Seiko and I’ve loved them for years 👍‼️ Great Review
Went for the gold, silver two tone, sooo damn comfortable & good lookin' on the wrist. My barber actually thought it was a Rolex. I just bought it based on looks, movement & wearability so if your pleased with all that, which I am, all the other stuff it doesn't have, isn't part of the equation...
The Sarb has made it very very difficult for me to be interested in any of the new seiko models - totally agree with your point! Finding it difficult to see the value for money in new models. Bought my Sarb brand new for £180 a few years ago - glad I did!
According to Long Island Watch these are actually folded links with covers on the side. You can tell by looking closely at a link that has been removed. If that's true, these are pretty embarrassing for the price that Seiko is charging.
Mineral crystal, pressed clasp, unsigned crown, hollow end links, push pins.....come on Seiko, at this price point some of the above boxes should be ticked.
Be carefull, Seiko fan boys police will come soon at your comment to tell you "you cant compare Seiko to micros" "seiko have history" etc. Etc. Im a big Seiko fan but they became a NO value for money.
@@richardminnick6797 same man, i will buy one next month maybe also if they make full black classic sub 40mm with black ceramic sub bezel insert and black dial like first version 43mm was.
@aero it is more clean to the eye. even though the complication y useful, i have watches without the day and they look more uniform. the dress watch is, the less is better. look also at the explorer 1 or the sub no date. i understand the usefulness of the date but sometimes you want a watch that tells time and nothing more
impossible nowadays to find a ''5'' without day-date function. only their ''ancestors'', the ''sportsmatics'' can still be found without date. i just got an old seiko sportsmatic with no date from japan.
It's a beautiful watch, and a solid first automatic for anyone. I have a few more expensive ones, but this is my daily. Can't recommend it enough. Only issue i had with it was the bracelet fit. Was either a bit too tight, or too lose. I went for "too tight" and it was the right choice cause it loosened up in a few days, and now fits great. In the end, was a good thing, cause it pushed me to learn how to fit bracelets my self, and the tools required aren't expensive either.
@@JeeGee114 you should try kamasu red, the sunburst is beautiful. I think kamasu is the best value for money for it segment. But still the bracelet quality is a let down.
It’s a fantastic looking watch, thanks for the review. I think the white date wheel balances the 9 marker. A 40mm sport watch with 100m water resistance and a 4R36 movement is a bargain at the price. The days of the SARB 33/35 value , with their sapphire and 6R15, are long gone. Seiko is still delivering good value here, the folded link bracelet isn’t the best, but it looks good and the watch is a stunner on leather. I don’t have an issue with hardlex. As long as the chapter ring is decently aligned and it keeps good time then I think it’s a winner. The cocktail time presages are about £100 more expensive and have the same level of movement (4r35), hardlex, folded end links etc. So I think this is fine. Whilst cash is tight this will certainly scratch my Sinn 556 and Tudor black bay 36 itch.
I actually ended up buying one and got it around a week ago. $300 AUD with delivery from StarBuy! Brand new, out of the box, I averaged +11 spd after a week of wear. Not too shabby at all! To be honest, that's on par with all of my other watches, including a previously purchased (and returned) Grand Seiko. Ended up regulating it and it's currently running at +2 spd. Let's see how it runs after a month - whether it will hold that rate or require more regulation. I was really lusting over the BB36 in blue, however now having this Seiko on my wrist, I'm not sure if I can pay 15 times as much for something that is so, so similar and does not have a date, which I really like to have. Only main criticism for me is the bracelet - feels cheap and squeaks. I ended up getting an Uncle Seiko Jubilee and it not feels and looks fantastic!
I was able to get one of the JDM versions of this in the olive drab dial and matching nato for around $215. Watch Nation I believe they're called. They're based out of England and are a Seiko A.D. so nothing to worry about. Super fast shipping as well.
I think those watches are really cool watches! I only have two gripes with them. The first is no screw down crown, and the second is price! With no screw down crown it I would only pay a max of $125. I would pay $150 if it had the screw down crown! It's a shame because I really want one!!! I'm just can't justify the little value for money.
Yes these are nice. I got one with a great dial. The dials are perfect. Simple, not much on them, the nice new logo, Automatic in script. It would have been nice to have a screw down crown, but I still like it very much. It's 40mm but wears like a small watch. It feels like I have 36mm watch on.
The WornAndWound review of the Helm Vanuatu mentions how it's such a good deal that it skews people's concept of value in a watch and raises the expectations people have of other brands. I think Seiko are going the opposite way though.
I picked up this in the black dial version (SRPE55) from a high street retailer here in Australia for A$225 on “clearance” which I found amusing for a current model. It’s a very versatile model which works well in formal situations as well as dressed down. I’m actually super impressed with the lume on this.
Great watch. Have the gilt dial on the way. Small correction, the bracelet is actually folded. It's just really well polished on the sides. You can see the seams if you look closely. Great review Jody!
also in Australia, ordered one blue with nato strap last month from long island watch for $432.90 AUD (paypal exchange rate) with shipping. Simply because US market supply are made in japan. due to the current situation in the world, it is still on the way.
I think they're really sharp. I love what they did with the logo as well. Although I've always been grateful that I don't get hung up on logos etc. It makes things so much easier 😂 The new grey marble ish looking 5KX is pretty interesting as well. Excellent point about the SARB. Cheers Jody
hey Jody, great video, as always, tahnks! I wonder though, what are those other watches that do a very similar job than this? care to share a list? I seriusly looking at the black dial SRPE with a bracelet, but I do see a bit of the "less feautures for more money" policy from Seiko here. I´d be interested to know what options are out there for a versatile, ledgible, bezeless watch. Thanks again.
I don't understand people's fascination with signed crowns. Except maybe on haute horlogerie pieces it is just needless advertising and more clutter to me, much like excessive text on the dial. Same for a screw-down crown: The SRPE has 100 m water resistance, a large crown guard and the crown can only be pulled out from underneath. Why fiddle with delicate threads whenever you want to top up the power reserve?
My god, for the price and lack of standard specs I am giving up on Seiko. Rather go with heimdahlr, steelediver or San Martin. Even the Paris and pagani design for one third the price give much more
I got one with black dial, gold on the hands.. promotion price $AUD 299.00 from Angus&Cotes. I totally love with that.. second hand's movement is very smooth like my other watch Omeg Seamaster.
Just picked up two from the Middle East, one grey dial and one blue, thanks Jodie, I’m curious, what size is the clasp is I want to swap it out? Would a 18MM work? (I didn’t see a 17.5 version listed )
Nice One Jody ...... by the way am I feeling better yet? I think so but if you could let me know?! Also why are you so down on crowns being unsigned? Kindest
Got mine in grey for £195 GBP and absolutely love it and I am in no way a Seiko fanboy. Hates = Hardlex (no excuse for using that rubbish) and the bracelet. I take issue, Jody, it’s not solid it’s folded links. Looking at the polished edge I can clearly see it is on mine. The micro adjust is crap too so the bracelet had to go. Tried it on a kudu leather strap I had lying around and it looked fab but ended up putting it on a grey and black striped, 20 quid MN style elastic strap and it looks and feels amazing - and so comfortable to wear. The 40mm is perfect cos of the short lug to lug and the bigger crystal than the 5KX makes it far more legible. Can’t wait to see if someone brings out a double domed sapphire crystal for it; that’d be my perfect mod. Other than that it’s everything one could want in a daily wear, explorer-style, field watch.
When I saw your t-shirt I remembered you work at the Opera House and you met your wife there. I didn't comment on that video, but that was a nice touch (disclosing a little bit of your life). Cheers!
I don't agree with the comments saying that Seiko is overcharging for the specifications. Companies like Island Watch, San Martin, Heimdallr, and others like them don't spend much time or resources making original watch designs. Brand history and original design are worth a lot of value to me. A watch is more than the sum of the cost of its parts.
I 'm the proud owner of a Seiko SRPE 67 ,w/ matte black Dial,.bought it from a guy from Ottawa,in North Glengarry. All i have To say,it's a keeper !! A real tank,a every day watch ! Very accurate watch w/ 21 sec loss/ day. Which is very good ! Changed the original black nato, for a leather strap,and it looks very nice !! Very happy w/ this dress skx!! Lifetime keeper ! Need i say more ? May i go now officer ?!!.
Seiko have become way too overpriced . When you consider you can get a tissot pr100 with a chronometer certified powermaric 80 movement plus sapphire for a very similar price . Nice looking watch though ....
No you actually can't. That watch has been sold out everywhere at that price. Good luck finding it under $500 anywhere right now. Consider yourself hitting the lottery if you can snag it at that price.
These have already been available in the States for $185. Last year's 5KXs are available right now from a Singapore gray market seller for $169 with free shipping. Why does everyone keep comparing Seikos' MSRPs to other brands' best sale prices?
Just picked up a JDm SBTR011 - a honey of a mechaquartz chrono instead of the seemingly beloved Seiko Speedtimer. Can't wait for it to get here. Stunning dial and amazing value for money compared to the speed timer. I'm planning on throwing it on a nice leather or strapcode bracelet and for around $250 USD it'll be a heavy hitter for value. Might be worth checking out in the future for the channel, I've heard lots of people love the SBTR027 colorway in particular.
I managed to get my Seiko 5 sports in Pepsi from Prouds for $380 from $495. Plus buying in store allowed me to eye ball the alignment. Great watches the 5 range...
Nothing, this watch is awesome. Only obsessive watch snobs who actually don’t understand what this is are complaining. They prefer their microbrand junk because specs mean value to them. I just got one on sale for $210, and couldn’t be happier.
i bought the gilt dial version for 175 on black friday and i think it is amazing at that price. the bracelet is def one of the downsides but it is still wearable and i dont mind it. the resemblance to the black bay 36 is a plus in my eyes as i was thinking about buying that, but this is a good cheaper alternative.
I just received this watch from Amazon for $206 before taxes. I already own some 58 watches but I was so taken by this review when I first saw it in July, that it hung in the back of my mind. Then I saw another review by Teddy Baldassarre the other day and just had to find it. What a charming watch. Though I could essentially assemble something similar myself, I am so pleased I purchased it. Thanks for doing this review!
Good-looking watch but having said that, if you're going to spend anywhere near $300 buy a Long Island Islander. sapphire crystal, solid end links bracelet with screw links, milled clasp can't beat it for the price in my opinion.
Periodically I get brand nostalgia and buy a Seiko. Then shortly after I sell it and buy a micro brand. So much more bang for the buck and I love the entrepreneurial spirit.
Man... On paper, this watch sounds like a dream. Dressy SKX, applied indexes and seiko, sunburst dial. I actually have no gripes with hardlex, since I have never managed to scratch that material.But they get a 0 on the x-factor. If I were to only listen to your review, I would have bought one already. But just looking at them, they are missing that je ne sais quoi. May be I just need time.
Hey Jodi this watch is very similar to the seiko5 sports ,from the mid 80s,apart from the size and movement which was 37mm case size and a 7009 movement. I still own the original and wear it regularly . Looks a lot like a black bay 36,but with day date .
Microbrands have been making Seiko look over priced based on the specs for a few years. Now the rise of Chinese factory brands are making Seiko look ridiculous. San Martian would be doing that just as well finished if not better, with solid end links and sapphire crystal for 1/2 the price
My favorite watch I own is a Seiko 5 sport. I have a couple other Seiko watches. With what they're doing now. Their price to Performance ratio. They have all but lost me. You need to get up the grand Seiko before the movement isn't just more polish on the same $100 turd. Tissot has cosc certified watches for under 500. At this point I think we should demand Sapphire from anything over $250. I think it's partially our fault for overhyping Seiko. They think their name and history is worth more than it is.
My (pre-coffee) 2c ... Seiko have to leave just enough spec in the changing room to help their (offshore cookie-cutter) NH line of business. That way all the (NH-based) brands designing a dial/case/bracelet/crown have ample room to differentiate from the 600kg Gorilla that is the Seiko 5 series - and at similar price points. One could argue that the extra headroom on the Seiko 5 price landscape similarly supports the NH biz. Now, where’s that coffee.
I may be wrong, but sometimes I think that the "5" below Seiko, could actually be just "S" for Sports. Most of Seiko 5 models still have the regular "5", it's the Seiko 5 Sports models which shows that unique "5" logo under Seiko.
I have to say, while it's a looker, the PRS 25 the same fella lent you before is better VFM (specs wise) and arguably as nice looking... I think seiko have realised that some people simply look no further than seiko and thus they can inflate their prices accordingly.
PRS 25 is apparently due back in stock in Aug' and I'm debating ordering myself the white dial version. It's only another 50 quid more and you get saphire, a milled clasp, more "classical" sizing/styling (definitely suits my smaller wrists and tastes) plus a bit more of a back story... I'm far more sold on the Smiths Everest.
Great review and great watch, this one is going to be a modding monster if after market parts coming out. Keep up the good work Jordi and big cheers to Australia 🙏🏻
Nice looking watch but for that feature set you can get a much wider array of Orient offerings (plain, Arabic, Roman or combo indices, date only, small seconds, etc.) with the same quality at half the price or less.
I've owned mine in the gilt for just a few weeks and love it more than maybe a Seiko 5 should be enjoyed. There was the concern too about the lack of micro adjust but with 3 links removed it fits perfectly. Lucky me. Unfortunately, there is a mouse squeak that comes from one of the end links on the factory bracelet. Charming now. Annoying later perhaps. Thanks for the review J.
Easy fix mate. Just give it a bit of an oil bath in a ziplock and then a light soap rinse and you will be good. Actually, bicycle chain oil works really well!
Pretty sure if you look closely you’ll see the links aren’t solid as you say. There is a very fine line on the outside where the links are pressed. So although not typically hollow like older folded link bracelets, they certainly aren’t solid either
I bought the slightly more priced model with the chain bracelet, what are your opinions on that? I like that it's slightly heavier than the regular steel, but the clasp barely closes for me. I'm a little scared it might fall off but it hasn't yet
This looks super! I love the sunburst blue dial and overall design!! How's the movement though? Reading about it it's rated at -35 to +45 seconds per day which seems like quite a lot!
That's all they'll guarantee but I got much better from the one I bought a couple of months ago. It was at +5s/day out of the box but now it's about +2s/day. So I'm super happy with that. Just buy one!
I'm very close to buying this... But I'm not sure what color I want (currently interested in a mid-/light-green dial version) but also wondering if Orient will be coming up with a competitor... Maybe a sporty Bambino? Hhmmm...
Awesome Review!!! I just purchased one from eBay. However, in the video you say the bracelet is SOLID links. However, after careful review of some other posts, it seems to be HOLLOW links. There appears to be a split line in the middle of the links. Can you confirm? Thank you.
I quite like this 40mm version of the new Seiko 5's but I think they are a bit overpriced for what you get. Recently I have purchased two Pulsar watches, one a watch being similar to an SKX but like this Seiko it is a dive style watch with a fixed bezel with 100M water resistance and is a quartz watch. It came on a good quality silicone/rubber strap and was priced at only £49.99 here on Amazon UK. I have changed the strap to a leather one also purchased on Amazon for £16.99 and it looks really excellent and the black strap with red stitching is perfect. Also a good deal is some Pulsar solar powered watches. I purchased one with a blue dial with an orange sweephand which came on a stainless steel Milanese bracelet with a signed clasp for only £49.99 in a sale on Amazon and it is amazing, I purchased another Pulsar solar watch today also at a jeweller for the same price but on a stainless steel bracelet. The retailer told me that Pulsar are not manufacturing any more watches and that is why many are on sale now so there are many bargains to be had as Pulsar is part of the Seiko groups of companies. The Lorus brand is also disappearing and Seiko are just going to use their brand in future watch production. Thanks for showing this Seiko 5 of which I may get one in the future.
I have the same watch jodi and I love it the only problem I have with it is I'm petrified of scratching the hardlex crystal but other than that I love the watch.
Unfortunately they seem to discontinue some low priced Seiko 5 models. I managed to get my second SNXS79. Yes, I now have two of them, so I can enjoy them hopefully for decades. It's my favorite budget "fits to anything" watch. It's a bit of a shame that Seiko seems to move away from the "perfect watch for every budget" philosophy.
Jody, have you checked out Tiger Concept watches out of Hong Kong? Mostly catering to the homage market, but the customisability means it doesn't have to be. I had a Tudor BB36 style watch made but with mercedes hands made which is similar to this seiko. $170USD with sapphire!
had a white face Daytona and im glad I sold it I worried too much of losing it or damage or someone grabbing it I loved it I never felt it but today I wear the SKX 013 love that also only other watch I dont feel I wear a oyster with it it is small ive had a tuna wayyy too big 45mm no thanks I will only wear the 39 or 40mm. thx
I wish the day/date window had a border like the indices. It would create a much more uniform look. Also, the day/date print looks off center in the window.
End up getting the SARB 035 since the 033 is really hard to find new one (but getting the 035 is an advantage since I prefer lighter/white dials anyways). Rather save a bit extra and get a much better quality spec (especially the sapphire crystal)
I would guess Seiko see the watch enthusiast as someone who knows for the same price you can get a much better spec, so don't see them as their target market. It might be worth waiting for the predicted recession to hit to see if Seiko blinks, and alters it's pricing structure
Looks like a Tudor inspired watch. Wouldn't complain if the price wasn't so high. Seiko trying to move up market. Good luck to them, but I'm out at that price point. Would prefer the SARB line for that price. I bought my Seiko 5 for under 100 bucks, and now it's more than doubled in price
