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

Product Information

Oh, and don’t fall into the trap of thinking the more expensive watches are better. In fact, some of the more affordable Seiko 5s are my favorites! Included Bracelet or Strap They’re mostly unique designs made by Seiko, a very well-regarded company in the watch world, and while these watches aren’t top-of-the-line (for the price, you can’t expect them to be) they’ve become a bit of an icon in their own right. 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. But this model classes it up a bit with a highly polished finish surrounding them, and a sleeker, fixed bezel. This particular version is the 7S26C. It only differs from the 1st generation 7S26A in two details: the shape of the rotor has been changed (in the 7S26B), and the previous regulator has been replaced with the slightly more potent Etachron. On paper, it’s nothing special. Not exactly pretty, but not bad.

If you’re somebody who wants to swim with your watch, get a Seiko 5 Sports instead of a regular Seiko 5. The Seiko 5 Sports often have 100 meters of water resistance which is enough to safely swim with, while older models usually have around 30 meters, which is not enough. Movement 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. The first time I owned it, I liked it. But I didn’t love it. At the time, I didn’t have many other watches to compare it to. The majority of Seiko 5s have their crown at 4:00 instead of 3:00 like most watches. Although a bit unusual, this is a specific design trait of the 5 that makes the watch more comfortable to wear when on your wrist. Though few and far between, there are a few 5s that have a crown at 3:00, such as the SRPE35. But, I implore you to try the 4:00 crown before judging it. You may find you prefer it after all! DimensionsFor the money, I seriously doubt there’s any dial that comes even close to that level. And there probably isn’t. Availability

It doesn’t take much sunlight to charge it, either. Just a few minutes standing in direct sunlight and the lume will be fully charged and ready to go. Seriously, looks amazing. 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. I also wasn’t a fan of the all polished case of the SNXS79, and how easily the mineral crystal smudged up and looked ‘dirty’ from fingerprint smudges all the time (little did I know, sapphire crystals can be WORSE about this sometimes). The Seiko 5 Sports GMTs from Seiko change the game. They’re the most affordable automatic GMT watches you can find from a well-known brand.As my appreciation for watches (and my watch collection) grew, I began to appreciate the little aspects and nuances of a watch, more. 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. 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. While the case is all polished, it certainly doesn’t fall short on finishing. The rather subtle chamfer between the top surface and the flanks, narrowing down to the lug tips, gives the watch a sleek and streamlined appearance. 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?

Some say that the recessed crown is one of the 5 features, but since not all of them have it, I’d say that’s probably not the case. Anyway, whether or not these are the actual 5 features that Seiko had in mind when naming the collection, one thing is for sure: each Seiko 5 offers more than that. They always have tended to over-deliver. The SNXS79’s lume, however, shines bright like a torch. It helps that the hour markers are so large and bold. They’re some of the cheapest automatic watches anyone can buy, meaning they don’t need a battery to run. But, despite their affordable price tag, they have durable, solid movements that will last you for years. And they’re made by Seiko, a brand highly recognized for its exceptional quality and value. But if the SNXS79 is your only watch, you might as well get the exact size strap to fit it, which is 19mm. Hope you enjoyed this SNXS79 review! If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below. I respond to every comment! – Anthony

Seiko 5 SNXS79K1

Along with its all-polished case, this watch is often compared as a budget alternative to the much more expensive Rolex Oyster Perpetual, which typically costs around 5 figures.