These watches were given this nickname as they look strikingly similar to the legendary Rolex Datejust models, at a fraction of the cost. The watch is small, at just 37mm, so it’s not the type of gold watch for someone looking to flaunt their wealth, but rather someone who wants a touch of elegance. At 37mm, and with a crown at 3:00, the SNKL41 disappears on the wrist and is more than comfortable enough for everyday wear. Seiko’s exclusive 7S26 calibre automatic movement powers this watch, it consists of 21 jewels and it offers an accuracy of -20/+40 seconds per day.

If you like the grey dial, but prefer the polished bezel and metal bracelet, the SRPE51 has all of the above. I was gifted a gold Seiko 5 from the ’80s passed down from my grandfather, which I wear regularly, and barely shows any signs of wear. While the watches are great, the included bracelet or strap on the older 5 models leaves a bit to be desired.The SRPE53 takes some of the dive watch elements from the SKX, namely the large, rounded hour markers, and beefy hands, both filled with lume to glow in the dark. If you’ve always thought of Seiko as a “cheap” watch brand, I hope this list of the 14 best Seiko watches for men can change your mind.

The jubilee bracelet and fluted bezel add a luxurious look that is often overdone or gaudy in cheap watches. But this model classes it up a bit with a highly polished finish surrounding them, and a sleeker, fixed bezel. This watch will look absolutely perfect on any strap and is the perfect watch to dress up with a dressy exotic leather strap or dress down with a bright and fun-colored NATO. The pips, however, look slightly bigger on the on the SNKL23 so they might glow better and longer but I don't really know if this is the case.If you’re somebody who wants to swim with your watch, get a Seiko 5 Sports instead of a regular Seiko 5. Made by master craftsmen in one of Seiko’s luxury micro-studios, Grand Seiko timepieces are made of far superior materials to the brand’s flagship collections. Seiko 5 watches are durable, and their 7S26/4R36 movements are reliable workhorses known to withstand some abuse and survive it.

Sign up to our newsletter to the first to know when new products and brands arrive, access exclusive deals you won’t find anywhere else, stay up to date with WatchGecko’s online magazine and more!Seiko is a very popular choice for people’s first watches and although it wasn’t my first watch ( that spot is reserved for a watch I had when I was about 7), the Seiko SARB033 was my first mechanical watch. The Seiko 5 SNKL45 tops my list due to its ability to meet all of those criteria while being understated and attractive enough to look good in almost any scenario. The hour markers on the glossy black dial are large and bold, making them easy to read at a quick glance. This movement adds hacking and hand-winding features that aren’t entirely necessary but are nice-to-haves, becoming more common in entry-level watches.