Although not the most accurate, and not the most decorated, these cut corners help keep costs down in the movement, and in the watch. The dial is an anthracite grey, similar to the SNXS79, which is rich and complex and changes colors slightly in different light scenarios. In fact, I think the subtle texture adds a spark of interest that a plain silver dial otherwise might lack. This watch is a strap monster, and the neutral silver-white dial means you can really have fun experimenting with different colors as well. If you want a watch that is simple and clean enough to be worn as a dress watch, but still sporty enough to be rocked every day, the SNKL41 may be the perfect choice for you.

While the watches are great, the included bracelet or strap on the older 5 models leaves a bit to be desired. It doesn’t have any screws, or even pushpins, like most bracelets, so sizing it can be extremely difficult.This has to do with the fact that with 14 positions (display in 2 languages), it has to cycle through two positions. Heck, James Bond wore a NATO strap much smaller than the lug width of his Rolex Submariner in some of his movies. The watch has 100 meters of water resistance and a big bulky crown that is easy to grab and wind, or change the time. It's powered by a reliable automatic in-house caliber, features a day-date display, and, thanks to its 37-mm diameter, makes the perfect unisex watch. I’ve seen some people complain about the tall case back, leaving a considerable gap between the top of the lugs, the bracelet, and the wrist.

We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This is one of the elements that can make a watch look cheap or much more expensive, depending on how well it’s actually executed, and in this case, it’s done to perfection. The radiant blue sunburst dial of the SRPE53 compliments the polished bezel, and brushed bracelet, although this watch would look just as at home on a NATO strap or leather band.Taking a look at this particular model, the SRPE53 is part of the “DressKX” lineup, a nickname given as it’s a dressier version of the SKX one of Seiko’s most popular dive watches of all time. It doesn’t last for an extremely long time, but fades out gradually and helps the watch be more legible in the dark and at night. Back in 1983, my grandfather was working on a contract in Iraq – the state-owned electric company that he worked for was contracted by Siemens to modernize power lines in and around Baghdad. However, I’ve seen people submerge – even swim with – these watches, so I presume that it’s relatively safe to expose them to water. A considerable advantage of this one is Seiko’s Magic Lever bidirectional winding system, first introduced in 1959.

While I will by no means encourage you to expose it to considerable hydrodynamic pressure, my specimen has proven itself more than capable of being an everyday watch. 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. 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 case any rumors might have unsettled you, rest assured – the SNXS models aren’t a homage to anything.The crown is small, but given that the movement doesn’t hand-wind anyway, you don’t need a bigger one. At only 37mm in diameter, and 11mm thick, the SNK355 sits close to the wrist, making it an extremely dressy-looking piece that is just screaming to be worn on an exotic leather strap like a crocodile or lizard. But since it's a simple push/pull crown (rather than a screw-down crown), the SNXS79 is only water-resistant to 30 m (3 bar, 98 ft), and thus only protected against the occasional splash.

Unlike other Seiko 5s, this model only has a little bit of lume, meaning it won’t light up like a torch when in the dark. The top-brushed lugs are accented by a polished bevel that really adds some visual dimensions when viewing this watch from different angles. This is more of the vintage Rolex that has been passed down in the family for generations look, rather than the large, blingy gold monstrosities you might find on a rapper’s wrist. 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 jubilee bracelet and fluted bezel add a luxurious look that is often overdone or gaudy in cheap watches. One thing I don’t like about the back is the fact of placing the technical markings on the underside of the crystal. Despite having all of these features, the SSK003 manages to stay relatively thin and affordable compared to other GMT watches. If you’re a t-shirt and jeans kind of person like I am, this is the perfect casual watch that doesn’t look like you’re trying too hard, especially when worn on the included NATO strap. These watches were given this nickname as they look strikingly similar to the legendary Rolex Datejust models, at a fraction of the cost.