Still true in 2023. I am starting on this hobby and have bought SNKL23 for my son and SNKL41 and Snxs79 for myself all J1 versions for 100usd. They are awesome.
I bought the snkl45 after watching this video and I can't thank you enough. I love the watch so much would 100% recommend it to anyone looking at a watch for the same price.
Bought an SNKL41 recently during a sale, and I'm excited to get it. I suppose if I changed the second hand to blue with a sapphire low double dome and a solid link strap fo the same design, it would look even closer to a Grand Seiko like you said. Thanks for the fantastic review!
I’ve got a SARB033 and I STILL bought an SNKL41. I prefer the dial color to the SARB035 as it’s less cream colored. Not too crazy about the bracelet. I wear mine on a Barton leather strap in an Espresso color with linen stitching. Gorgeous. Will probably be upgrading mine to the NH36 movement.
I bought this watch this year because I liked the look of it. The problem is it keeps randomly stopping. I have gone back to my Seiko 5 white dial with a 7009 movement from the 1980s. No stopping problems. Accuracy within +-5 seconds per day. My watchmender said the older Seiko's are the best and from my experience I wholeheartedly agree. He said that there are too many plastic parts in the 7s26.
After lurking on watch channels for the past number of weeks, and having not worn a watch for years and years, I ended up picking the 45. It's a great little watch, and my first automatic. Looks great on a leather strap. I will try your suggestion of placing it on the table differently at night, as mine really seems to run fast. Thanks for posting so many great reviews!
Just revisited this video.. now I think I should get both. I'm not a bracelet kind of guy, but these are watches that I would keep on the supplied bracelets 👌
I bought the SNKL45K1 today for a complete bargain Php 4000 ($73). Absolutely amazing! I love love love dauphine hands. Thanks to your review! I can’t wait to get it on different straps!
If you're willing to go quartz, the SGG731 is a great option. It has sapphire and it's made of titanium making it super light to wear. Very thin too with great dial detail and an excellent bracelet. All for around a $120.
I'm wearing the snkl45j1 about a week and i must say, probably i like it even more than my omeaga seamaster and sarb035 - great size, almost vintage size, + a nice ostrich leather strap :) somehow I really enjoy wearing it! Unfortunately in my case arabic instead of kanji , but the accuracy is even better than my sarb! (i know just matter of luck)
Hi, I just ordered the same J version from jomashop. This will be my second mechanical watch and I am really excited. Could you tell me a litte bit about your experience with the watch and some tips, perhaps? Thanks a lot
@@pedromonteiro2644seiko 5 is a bit thinner so it makes the look more vintage, and the black dial can be matched with a lot of straps. The thing with sarb035 (I bought it again few months ago) - now I think it's almost perfect - just a bit too thick, no AR coating and a bit unclear indices, no hi beat, otherwise it would be almost a GS. So both have pros and cons.
@@alexandrucozma4662 thanks. I wanted to buy a Sarb but they're hard to find plus it's different if a watch gets shipped to you or if you can get it from a store so I think I'll go with the Seiko 5 (also with the black dial) plus it is cheaper.
@@pedromonteiro2644 if going for seiko 5, I would recommend Snxs79(J1) or Snkl23(J1) as a 2nd choice. Or something very close to Sarb035 - new Seiko Presage Srpd97 (sary147) - a dress watch, white dial, 38mm sapphire crystal.
I recently bought an SNKL45, very similar to the one on the video. But mine is a J1 model, which has "Made in Japan" stamped on the dial at the 7 o'clock position. It's 20 to 30 dollars more expensive, but I think it's worth it. That stamp increases the value and desirability of the watch to collectors.
About time (pun intended) these 2 came together in this review. Would be much better if the snkl43 (blue dial) was in the mix. Never seen the 41, 43, and 45 together in any RU-vid vid. I have the snkl23, 41, 43 and skx013k2 (love the clanky jubilee bracelet). Great review, Alessandro.
Just wanted to tell you that I bought the SNKL45 right after watching this. The second and hour arms sold it for me and this video of course thanks man!
I've just been bitten by the "watch-collecting-bug" and thankful for this video. Im loving my "41" and beginning to crush on the sarb035 but until then. More power to your channel!
@@avocadomann2373 sadly no but i managed to save up money for a grail watch. I still wear my 41 with pride everyday. Cheers to you and stay safe everyone.
A forgotten brother of these model along with the black, white, and blue dial is the Japan Domestic Market Release SNKL21J1 in other words the Gold Dial Version. Bought this a couple months ago and pictures don’t do justice of how beautiful the sunburst effect the gold has. A must if you want to collect one of these. As far as I can see, Amazon is the last place you can get this as they still have retailers in Japan willing to sell such before they run out. Get it while you can!
Hi, I just ordered the same watch as my second mechanical watch and I am honestly really excited. Could you tell me a little bit about your experience, please?
I've been looking to buy my first automatic watch, and the snkl41 ticks all the boxes. Watching your video has made me place an order today. Thanks for the review, really excellent and I'm looking forward to my delivery..
Love your channel dude. It's hard with watch channels as most either review within a much higher budget than I'm comfortable with or review watches that simply will not fit me and my 6.25" wrist. Keep it up man I appreciate it
excelerater I did this for the case. It suits better my wrist. These days cases are towards 40 mm diameter (min.), unless you choose a quartz or you go to thousands of dollars area - I’m not that much into watches. Oh, and there is also the technical “satisfaction” to work on your watch. Finally, I say also that a Seiko 5 is a real watch as it is released from factory.
None of these is an upgrade really. Hardlex is much better overall than sapphire and who cares about another shit movement. Just enjoy your humble Seiko.
Although I love the SARB, this is a great watch for the money... consider it a great desk diver and more. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend, Craig
You really made them justice. I'm glad I scooped a 41 before these became so popular, I have to say i'll hardly sell it. To me it really is THE best looking Seiko 5 around, going to be a future classic just like the green dialed SNX447.
My snkl45k1 just arrived yesterday. This is my first automatic. My 2nd watch overall. My first was a dw6900 gshock. The watch is definitely beautiful and just got it for about $80 only. I think the size is just perfect for my small wrist. Good review man. Cheers from the philippines 🍻
Hi, I just ordered the same watch as my second mechanical watch and I am honestly really excited. Could you tell me a little bit about your experience, please?
@@santiguierrez hey my piece is really accurate until now. no problem encountered so far. I bought a cheap leather strap to dress it up sometimes. Really enjoyed the watch.
Great video! I recently found your channel and I must say, your presentation is excellent. You are a wonderful creator and I look forward to seeing what you do next. Cheers mate.
I just bought my Seiko snkl41 a few days ago and I am very happy with it. It's a very Beautiful watch, I am glad that I got it. Thank you for another great video and keep up the great work.
Hi, I purchased a Seiko 5 SNKL45 from Amazon France over three months ago.It has been working quite well so far.The polished bezel and the stainless steel bracelet looks really nice! I also like red second hand because it makes the watch more lively.This model has a day and date display in English and French which is cool. However,when I go sleep and wake up, I notice that the watch looses approximately 10 seconds over night and I can't comprehend why this happens.It is strange that whenever I shake it or while working,it gains a few seconds.
Lovely Espresso Colored Dial. I have that one too, on a red crocodile strap and Seiko buckle. Only if that SARB came in a true white dial, and without the subdivision of the minute track, and that awful pads look of the case, they really soured the milk on what could have been truly an elegant piece.
I never thought i would wear the snkl45 so much had it for a month now really a great watch i bought it for 160 dollars in sweden they are sold out now and The price went up to 220 dollars.
Hi, I just ordered the same watch as my second mechanical watch and I am honestly really excited. Could you tell me a little bit about your experience, please?
I have this one, love this one, while the dial is beautiful for the price, no lie, the sun burst dial is looks so good... BUT the placement of lume circle isn't nice to look... it gives you optical illusion that the placement isn't neat... and that give me a mixed feeling when I notice it
I have an SNKL15J1. It is very similar, however the indices are shorter as the circles of lume are moved to the chapter ring and are not overlapped by the indices. The crown is also recessed and it comes on a jubilee bracelet. The case finishing seems identical to those in your video. Also, there are subtle tuxedo striping around the outside of the dial encompassing the indices. It all looks so classy and considered. I have put it on a more robust jubilee bracelet, but the original one is fine. Finally, I am one of the lucky 7S26 owners, as it is currently +.04 seconds over the past month of my measurements. I do regulate it by placing it vertical or horizontal at night, but even without that it only gains or loses a few seconds per day. I couldn't recommend the SNKL15J1 watch more.
Salut j'ai entendu que tu étais belge alors je te laisse ce commentaire en français. Grace a ta vidéo je me suis décidé a acheter cette seiko et je ne regrette pas du tout. vraiment un excellent achat. Merci a toi
Next, can you do the Orient Bambino Gen2 AC00008W0? I love the design but I'm very hesitant to get it because of its 40mm size and I have 6-6.25 wrist. I'd really appreciate if you could do a video of the timepiece. Thanks! It's good to have a watch channel that has a small wrist. Also it would be nice if you can add longer wrist shots on your videos.
I have always liked the look of the SNKL43, but I own the SARB035, so I am guessing I would be disappointed by comparison. I actually wish they had made a blue version of the SARB when I bought mine 35, but I snagged the SNZH53 as my nice looking blue watch ( which started my love affair with blue divers ). -- I am not in your target demo with 8.25" wrists, but you make great videos, and I enjoy seeing smaller watches. Keep up the good work. I grew up when watches were much smaller, and sometimes crack out my 80s era Seiko and Pulsar quartz watches just to enjoy more modest sizes. -- Martenero has a couple of interesting and original looking 38mm watches using the Miyota 9015 that might be worth taking a look at.
I happen to have small wrists and to find smaller alternatives for those who are looking for them, but I actually like watches in general and don't focus myself on size only. TL;DR: you're more thatn welcome, and thank you for the kind words! BTW, if you like blue dials, I'll think you'll be happy with the SNKL43. The enjoyment you get from these watches is second to none!
Both pretty watches. I bought the snkl19 and it's astonishing, the details in the dial won me first sight so I really recommend you find the snkl19 or the snkl15 they are awesome. Totally accord with the lume, is not too necessary in a everyday-sportish-dressish watch. Nice video👍. PS. Greetings from the Chubby Wrist Guy!!! 👌
You said that the white one has a less accurate movement, is it really noticable when just wearing the watch on the daily? Im thinking of buying this watch as my first automatic but Im worried it wont keep time well enough. Anyways, thanks for your review!
Bought me one. Thanks for the video it made my choice easy. I have very small wrists and it looks perfect. I put it on a nice dark brown leather strap.
Have the SNKL41 in my collection, absolutely cracking watch. Looks great on the stock bracelet (which is surprisingly comfortable) or on a black croc leather strap. It just oozes class. It’s now my go-to weekday watch for the office. Debated on getting the SNKL45 for the office too, but went with a black dial Cadisen C1032 for some variety. $120 in total for both these watches!
1 month on, caved in sold the Cadisen. Great specs but just couldn’t connect with the piece. Ended up getting a used SNKL23 in perfect condition for $60. Couldn’t pass up on that deal! Perfect complement to my SNKL41.
I like these watches better than the sarb035/033. Why can’t Seiko make this watch with a proper automatic movement w/ hand wind and hacking? That would be killer.
I think SNK377/379/381 might have something to say about "best Seiko 5". Especially the SNK379 (the green version), even though it is very, very hard to find. That's why I ordered an SNK381 (black/charcoal dial) after literally weeks of bouncing back and forth between the various available versions of the OG 5: SNXS, SNKL, SNK615/621 (I almost got that one), SNKK/SNKE... None of them has the perfect dial ensemble that the SNK381 has: lumed NUMERALS all around the dial (except at 3'oclock), very elegant leaf-style hands and reverse-lollipop seconds hand (all with tons of lume), framed day-date with black wheels (to match the deep, rich black-ish / anthracite dial) and, to top it all of in the most elegant fashion, a very subtle dotted minute track along the edge of the dial. Hwoever designed this dial for the OG 5 has admirable sense for aesthetics, because they definitelly brought the watch to another level, compared even with watches that have the exact same cases, like your SNKL41. Considering what a cash-grab the "new" SNXSs are, I have a feeling the OG 5s are going to return to the spotlight and people are going to rush out to buy one for their collections. It is exactly what I did, having put off such a purchase for years, simply because I thought these were going to be on the market forever. Well, Seiko is starting to discontinue them and the replacements are 3 times more expensive.
SNKL23&24! Virtually the same watches but the extra engraving on the dials is incredible. The 24 has gold bezel, hour markers, and strap highlights; looks superb!
I can see this model selling like crazy in the future, price will increase. However I think that the snk795 is superior :) those long indices are a deal breaker for me, proportions are wrong imo. I much prefer the white version for some reasons. Like always great review mate.
Lack of handwinding is really a bugger, I hope they come around in a few years (I dump my Seikos on ebay when they need service and rebuy them new for a very small hit).
I bought the blue dial version as my first automatic,i thought the black and white version were just a bit too boring looking and i don't like the red seconds hand either
In May 2018 I bought a Seiko 5 snkl41 white dial I am more than satisfied with it . Of COURSE THERE May be .plus or minus 5 Hindi secs in accuracy other than that it is a beautiful model and just right for my slender wrist. I already own two Seiko 5 watches and Citizen day date watch al I in working conditions
Hey, Nice review.But I need your help mate. I stuck between SNXS73K and SNKL41. Can't decide between the 2 and I can only buy 1 at the moment. Since I'm buying online and haven't seen them in person, can you help me decide which one is more beautiful and versatile for daily use. Thanks.
I've had both. The case of the SNKL is very comfortable and looks great, but the dial/hands/indices of the SNXS are absolutely gorgeous. Bracelet on the SNKL is much better than the SNXS, which is horrible. I couldn't choose a favourite, but for what it's worth, I was definitely spending more time admiring the dial of the SNXS.
