Seiko Men's Analogue Automatic Self-Winding Watch with Stainless Steel Bracelet – SNXS73K

Product Information

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? It has a 37mm diameter like many Seiko 5 models and a very condensed 42mm lug to lug dimension. This means it’ll fit comfortably on most people’s wrists without hanging over the edge, even on those with smaller wrists. There are watches, which cost an arm and a leg and offer nothing. They just are, that’s that. There are also watches, which provide the right finishing and specs for the money. And then there are watches, which cost little but offer a ton of the good thing. I’d not quite go as far to say it’s an Oyster Perpetual homage. Just that it takes some really well-designed aspects from the watch.

While this has changed over time, the 5 in Seiko 5 represented the original 5 elements that were present in every watch:

It doesn’t really compare to the Seiko 5, even though they cost about the same. It’s just a different style. Invicta Pro Diver 8928OB vs. Seiko 5 SNXS79 I thought it didn’t work, I set the time gave it a few shakes and to my amazement it works perfectly! At the time, after wearing a dive watch for a couple of months, I thought the Seiko 5 looked too small and effeminate on me. It is a ‘smaller’ case size (37mm in diameter) and is maybe even smaller than average by modern day standards.

The 42mm Seiko 5 Sports “5KX” divers are a bit larger, as dive watches typically are. Traditionally, this was so dive watches could have larger hour markers, and be more legible when divers used them underwater. Today, 42mm is no longer a “large” watch by modern standards. This is closer to the watch size you likely see on most people’s wrists. Between this model alone, there’s the SNXS79K1 and SNXS79J1. A Malaysian and Japanese version, respectively. The Malaysian version (K1) has a Spanish day wheel, and the J1 has a Kanji date wheel. The differences end there (aside from the price). SNK355 vs SNXS79K But if the SNXS79 is your only watch, you might as well get the exact size strap to fit it, which is 19mm. 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 5 is Seiko’s entry-level mechanical line of watches. They look great, have a robust in-house mechanical movement and are some of the most affordable automatic watches one can buy. I’ve heard claims that it’s made from a different steel alloy than the case. Sure, the brushed finish plus a lightweight folded link structure can give you that impression. However, without any evidence, the claim can’t be confirmed. Meanwhile, the lume-filled rectangular hour markers, paired with this color, are a nod to the legendary 62MAS. For whatever reason, the day I received it, on my way to the market I just had to listen to some Creedence Clearwater Revival. Just how versatile can a “budget” watch get? 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. In my experience Swiss watches are like German cars expensive to buy, expensive to maintain and no where near as reliable as Japanese cars, especially Toyotas and Suzukis.

Seiko 5 Sports is usually reserved for the Seiko 5s with at least 100 meters of water resistance, and the slightly upgraded 4R36 movement. Regular Seiko 5s more often have only 30 or 50 meters of water resistance, and often include the 7S26 movement. As my appreciation for watches (and my watch collection) grew, I began to appreciate the little aspects and nuances of a watch, more.Seiko 5 watches are durable, and their 7S26/4R36 movements are reliable workhorses known to withstand some abuse and survive it. Seiko is known for generally having very strong lume on their watches, but some of the Seiko 5 models fall short in this area.

Despite having all of these features, the SSK003 manages to stay relatively thin and affordable compared to other GMT watches. And it looks great while doing so! 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.As long as you take care of it, avoid excessively dropping or bumping it, and avoid water damage, a Seiko 5 can last a lifetime. The included Jubilee bracelet is one of the most solid I’ve ever worn, and I’ve tried dozens of third-party Jubilees from companies like Strapcode for watches like my SKX. The bit of extra height does help to add a touch of extra wrist presence, though not by much. 7S26 Movement