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

Product Information

The SNK366 is another gold Seiko 5, this time, with a slightly more muted gold case. The case is mostly brushed, and only has pops of bling on the polished gold bezel, and sides. And the dial has just a bit of texture, with gold-embedded “Seiko 5” badge logos throughout. But they’re very subtle, and can only be spotted up close, in the right lighting, so you’re the only person who would even notice they’re there. With that said, the movements in Seiko 5 watches are known to last exceptionally long without ever needing service. For example, my grandfather’s gold Seiko 5 from 1989 has been passed down to me, and 33 years later, it still runs perfectly fine, without ever having been serviced.

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? The SRPE61 takes the “DressKX” style of using dive watch elements on the dial but classes it up with a fixed bezel, and a more elegant, slightly dressier appearance. This time, however, the watch is complimented by a brushed bezel instead of polished, and a NATO strap, instead of a bracelet. This makes the watch look a little more like a tool watch than its dressier counterparts, like the SRPE53 mentioned later in this article.. While some Seiko 5 watches are a bit too small, and others too large, the SRPE series fits right in between at 40mm. This is the sweet spot for most people’s wrists and is one of the most popular watch sizes today.While this has changed over time, the 5 in Seiko 5 represented the original 5 elements that were present in every watch:

Regular non-sports Seiko 5s. These are typically the “dressier” and older models. Although less modern, these watches are extremely comfortable to wear, and often look a bit more elegant and refined, due to their classic sizing. Thesework best on those with small – medium wrists, with a circumference of 7.5″ and less, but will still look fine on those with larger wrists as well. You may have noticed there are two different types of Seiko 5, the regular with a “5” badge logo, and those with a Seiko 5 Sports logo. How do these two differ? Anyway, the SRPD55 is a classic dive watch design. It “just” has 100 meters of water resistance, which is supposedly not enough for spoiled Seiko purists, but is more than enough for the average joe like myself who just wants to take a dip in the pool, or swim at the beach, and isn’t going on a serious dive expedition. 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.

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! Leather? NATO? RUBBER? No problem. This watch is a strap monster, and the neutral silver-white dial means you can really have fun experimenting with different colors as well. Generally, the older Seiko 5 models are smaller, around 37mm, and less expensive (although prices have been creeping up recently due to exclusivity). Seiko 5s are often compared to watches much more expensive than they are for their subtle, understated designs that give them a luxurious look. Their combinations of various finishes, both brushed and polished, on their cases and bracelets, is something that only Seiko seems to go the extra length to do at such an affordable price point. 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.

With that said, the Seiko 5s are not perfect. They have a hardlex crystal which isn’t as scratch resistant as sapphire, their included bracelets and straps are mediocre and sometimes downright uncomfortable, and the included 7S26 is reliable, albeit basic, and can be inaccurate. I’ve worn, tested, and reviewed dozens of Seiko 5 watches, many of which are still in my collection today.Seiko 5s typically use the entry-level 7S26 or slightly upgraded 4R36 movement. Both movements are made in-house by Seiko, a rarity in affordable watchmaking. It’s hard to go wrong with a watch with such classic dimensions that looks great on any wrist, looks great on just about any strap and happens to be one of the most affordable automatic watches you can buy. Until around 2021, the Seiko SNXS79 belonged to the Seiko 5 collection. Thanks to its sporty, elegant design and surprisingly low price, the watch is considered to be one of the top alternatives to classic Rolex models such as the Datejust or Oyster Perpetual. Even if the resemblance is striking, Seiko has nevertheless managed to give the SNXS79 its own unique character.