Ben, that intro was pretty darn good, brief but good. TGV is going to have to dial up HIS intros a bit. Great video of my favorite watch brand. What a great looking watch.
Top notch videos, the intro was hilarious, the editing is astounding, and as a multiple branded automatic owner, several points made thorough the video were absolutely true. Subscribed for more amazing watch analysis, great work!
This is the first time I see the bad sides of the SNKL23, in all other videos and pictures it looks a lot better. Now i understand what people mean by "Get a SARB instead". Thanks for the good closeups!
I put my SNK 355 on an Invicta Pro Diver quartz bracelet, and it looks surprisingly good (with a little adjusting.) The brushing and polishing match really well, and gives more weight on the wrist.
When it comes to dials, Seiko can teach a lesson or three to anyone else in the same price category, and they often lunch much above their weight. Wonderful design for all of the models you introduced here - time to start sparing some pennies again...
Got myself a silver dial SNKL15 last month as my first "real" mechanical watch and I must say: this thing ticks more boxes and scatches way more itches than a sub-100€ watch should. With that watch as a "home base", I really feel that I can relax a bit and give my next purchase the time and thought it needs.
I would consider the SNXS79 a very good alternative with comparable dimensions, the relatively rare grey sunburst dial and an overall appeal that lets it punch well above its weight.
Got mine as a gift from my wife on our wedding day :) Before that, I was using the SNKL15 that has the same dial design but white. She now uses the white one to pair up with my SNKL23 as our couple watches 😁
Great Video! Lots of good information, and delivered very professionally, Thank You! The SNKL23 is the Spitfire of watches. Superior functionality with perfect lines. Every once in a while a real winner comes along, and you're so right, its the Seiko SNKL23. Thanks Again!
Seiko 5 Automatics - outstanding - from a time when many watches had no waterproofing and had to be taken off for activities and hand washing. I have used these afloat, on oil rigs, on desert convoy duties, when shooting and at sea. Along with the Lorus field watches - also from the house of Seiko - these tactical field items are hard to beat. Outstanding price to value propositions.
The SNKL23 lugs are too long and it’s obvious when it’s on leather or mesh straps. When people ask me for Seiko 5 recommendations, I always suggest the SNKL45!
I considered the SNKL45 but the I didn't like the red hand on what was going to be used as a dress watch. I have the SNKL23 and put it on a black lizard grain strap - it's stunning in the flesh.
I'm glad I got one for around $80 some year ago. The bracelet looks fine but it's one of the worst Seiko bracelets I've encountered. I put a black lizard strap on it, and then it looks great. I really like the variations of brushing and polishing at the side of the case, and I also like the shape of the case with these pointy lugs. They look a bit long when wearing it with a strap, but I'm not bothered by it.
I'm replying myself! A month afterwards! Oh no, this is fishy! Jokes aside, I just wanted to make clear that the dial with these subtle stripes and the hands are really delicate. And once again, the variations with the polished and brushed finish on the case is something you'll rarely see at this price point. I have a small bunch of Seikos with 7S26 movement, so I'm not bothered with the "Seiko shuffle".
I have this model in a silver dial. Do keep in mind that it's tiny, just 37mm and an 18mm lug width, so a skinny strap. There are slightly bigger watches in this older 7s26 based series of Seiko 5s (that sooner or later must go extinct), so I'd focus on one of the 38mm watches with a 20mm lug width. The 37mm ones make great ladies watches though.
had my seiko 5 for 22yrs winder rotator came loose fixed for free.no issues now.love this watch decided to order this black one.same price almost what I paid 22 yrs ago
I purchased the SNKL23 in its first run and I'm both happy and somewhat disappointed that it was brought back. Put a beautiful dark brown Colareb Spoleto leather band on it and it is the absolute perfect daily wear watch.
It was indeed my first and entry way into the hobby. Props to Hodinkee, TGV and JOMW alike :) Still loving it 4 years later and see it sit proudly amongst far more pricy collection pieces.
1:12 - Do you realise how fuckin' cool this shot looks?! Love the video already - don't care what lies ahead! :D Also, try and upload a bit more often man. Top 5 under 100 and whatever..
Great vid! Love your subtle 'TGV/JOMW' references in the intro-- well produced... Btw, I don't think you look like the guy in 'Split.' To me, you look more like the guy who plays 'Professor X' in 'X-Men First Class!' 🖒😎
8:50 I bought the one on the right years ago when the L23 supposedly got discontinued. No regrets. I love the splash of red and I’ve received compliments on it from people who don’t even know about watches.
Bought this back in 2018 right before the hype begins. Replaced the crystal with sapphire, along with more solid bracelet and custom-made dial with enamel painted Hokusai’s “the great wave off Kanazawa”. Now it looks more like thousands dollar watch.
Thanks for your time ⌚,I have a Seiko like this from the early 80a paid 6 dollars at thrift shop, great watch, I also have a new Seiko 5 sports paid 150$ , very happy
New to the channel, very impressive piece, love all 3 pieces 5 Seiko very affordable and easy to said ,what great looking piece, to start your collection 👍🏼👍🏼I own few 5 Seiko sport and many are still out there...with great price....
Owned the Snk361 never wore it much. Felt to small, to light, bracelet was appauling and the crown looked like a speck. Don't even get me started on the nonhacking , rattling movement. The dial and case finishing was satisfactory though to be fair.
i ended up buy three of these with different color dials and indices over the last 3 years without even realizing it, their size is perfect for everyday use.
True vibes of vintage 7009-8xxx Seiko series! Slim case with semi-hidden crown. Brilliant! Unfortunately Seiko doesn't reproduce their "beads of rice" folding clasp vintage bracelets. It seems like production was stopped in 2022. Mine has scratch on case (but new and unused), was produced in August.
This and my SKX are my beaters. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Replaced the awful seiko braclet with a nice milanese mesh braclet and it just elevates it to a new level. This little thing will always hold a special place in my heart. It's this watch that helped me appreciate smaller size watches.
A few years ago you could buy any Seiko SNK series for around 35€ on e$ay, shipping included! These were great watches for the price, but at the present price around 100€, not so much! One could take a look at a few Chinese watches using the new Miyota 9015 movement which is much superior to the outdated (but still decent) 7S26.
I bought this watch after seeing your video. I put it on the timegrapher and the beat error was barely anything. It was gaining 21 seconds a day but a slight push of a toothpick and it was down to 3 secs a day in three directions. I even like the bracelet!
COSC Certification? -4/+6 secs per day umm I have several of those Chinese micro brand watches (which Ben was rather disparaging of) which consistently gain a mere 2 seconds per day. To be completely honest I think that sub £200 watches these days, Chinese micro brands are very difficult to beat. After shelling out £400 on a Seiko Prospex diver last month I can honestly say that a £150 Chinese micro brand watch is clearly superior, made with better materials . If it was just one watch you could think I got lucky. It's not just one tho', it's several and altho' the supplied bracelet on any of them weren't up to my own personal standards, they compare very evenly with the bracelet that came on the £400 Seiko. Replace these with a £70 Miltat and I don't think many people would rather have a Seiko when comparing them side by side (the Chinese micro brands use Seiko movements) unless of course you prefer Hardlex over anti reflection coated sapphire crystal and aluminium bezel inserts over lumed ceramic ones (oh the brilliant Lumibrite on Seikos is matched or bettered by the Chinese too) Seiko won the hearts of many by making good quality affordable watches but now they're concentrating on overpriced Prospex models and their more luxurious high end watches it's the Chinese (amongst others) who are providing the high quality affordable watches for me it's a bonus that they're usually homage's to well loved designs (often discontinued, always overpriced)
I finally decided to start a watch collection and I started cheap with this watch after seeing tgvs vid. I wear it everyday on multiple straps love this watch
Seiko 5s are always great watches. Also I would like to see you review the Seiko SNXS79. But that watch is also hard to find. I had to wait nearly 4 months to find one in stock.
I think the case of snxs79 and snkl23 are the same? I myself have owned a snxs79 for a month. I found it on the German Amazon. Sometimes it disappears, then you can get it again ... I think it's a great little watch.
Funny thing watching this while wearing one of these (on a milanese bracelet). It's a great classy/dress watch for the price. Recently ordered the SNK803 (beige color) to wear with a more casual outfit.
Girlfriend got me an SNKL88K1 off Amazon for Christmas. I can't wait to open it up and show it off! Surprised no one really talks about the gold plated Seiko's.
You have to check out the king of quality quartz budget watch, this Orient: FUG0Q009W6. Sapphire cristal, screw crown, screw case, 100m water resistance, day-date, all stainless steel, all for 40£.
I have the 23 and much as a good watch it is, it gets no wrist time because I feel the lugs are too long leaving too big a gap between the strap and case. Minor bugbear but I just can't get past it. Great intro! Love the confused Vincent Vega.
I like the looks of these Seiko 5s, but it's hard for me to justify spending that money, when for a little bit more you could get a watch with better specs. I have a Pro DIver that I love. It's obviously not the same *kind* of watch, but I think it's a better choice for an automatic because it hacks and has a better bracelet.
Yes they are double in price now to what they used to cost and not worth the 130 pounds when they used to be around 65-70 pounds. It’s a shame but I guess they now in demand and someone will pay I guess
Picked this up about a month ago on ebay without knowing the whole backstory. Biggest complaint is how long I need to shake it to get it going if dead (since not hand windable). Sometimes its like 45 seconds of shaking. Seems odd; not sure if mine is defective or if this is just how 7S26 movements are. Dial is super pretty though. But i have found that you either got to wear it regularly to keep it going or not at all.
Mine need some long shaking aswell. But ive had the watch since 2016 and it has got its fair share of banging so probably its due for a quick service. But yours was picked up only a month ago so im not sure about that
You do realise I’m now the proud owner of a lorus & steeldrive turtle homage I enjoy your channel and I have one question how long does the basic sieko automatic last without wearing?
what pisses me off about watch brands is its so hard to know what model is still in production. This movement has been discontinued for years yet there is all of sudden a bunch of new ones to buy
Nice intro! Is it too cold in your studio/flat though :P Hence the jacket? :) Glad to see SNK361 featuring at the end. I discovered this really cool dial texture with the SNK357 actually. It really adds something, without being too conspicuous. But once you know it's there...
Beautiful dial, as is the dial on the SNKL15 (the identical watch except for dial color). However, I bought this as a pure dress watch and went to replace the awful bracelet with a leather strap, and because of the 45mm+ lug-to-lug, there is a big gap between the edge of the strap and the case. It's unsightly, so I returned it.
the SNKL23 is going for $138 on amazon and the SNK393K is $136, trying to decide on 1. The one in this video keeps focusing my eyes to the little black circle on the dial making the dial seem smaller overall, but I like the vertical lines, the other seems more subtle almost plain. Which would you pick, my plan is to add a red second hand for color pop and I want a Oyster bracelet with polished middle links, thoughts on where I can get those and what size I would need?
Which is the better option the seiko snkl23 or the seiko snxs79 taking into account that it is for a teenager and is to be used on a daily basis with casual clothes ??????? ??????? ???????
Me no Fool... I subbed! ;-) I came across you by reading up my favourite watch, which i regret not sticking too, time (no pun intended) to get back what is the real me, thanks for the video. D
Thanks for featuring these 5s, they are great watches. I had the Snkl23 but found the legibility to be a bit poor as under certain lighting conditions the hands disappeared against the sunburst dial. Also, when on a strap, the gap between the spring bars and the case looked a bit odd to my eyes. I sold it and bought the SNK355, a silver dialled version of the 361. It is an absolute stunner and looks amazing on a brown lizard grain strap. It is my “Seikolex” and scratches my itch for the Oyster Perpetual 36 (which I’m unlikely to be able to afford)
Great video and thanks. I started with the Rolex look a like the SNXS79 Seiko 5. But now looking at SNX361 bc of the better case. But now bc I cant remember this model number while I’m typing, I’m getting overwhelmed keeping up with all the Seiko model numbers vs having a name . So this one is back and was discontinued? Geez this is a lot of work!
Oh and I know the way you speak is your style, but it’s a bit rushed and hard to keep up. Otherwise great video and I’m finding myself going back often bc I’m like what was that. Lol!
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