Enjoy rock-solid movements, robust cases, and in-house designs with these best Seiko 5 watches.
Seiko 5 watches come in several forms. Each design appeals to a different collector, from the Field Series to the SNXS collection and the popular 5 Sports range. In this article, I will list 8 of the most popular ones.
Seiko 5 watches are great. They offer tremendous value for money. They look good, they feature rock-solid movements, and they’re from one of the world’s most recognizable brands in horology.
First, a little background on these watches and why they’re so popular amongst enthusiasts.
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The Appeal of Seiko 5 Watches
The Seiko Sportmatic 5 arrived in 1963, sparking the beginning of the Seiko 5 story. Ren Tanaka was the guy behind this innovation. He wanted to produce an affordable and purposeful watch.
The “5” in the name represents the five essential qualities of each watch in this line. These include the day and date display, water resistance, recessed crown, durable case, and robust bracelet.
Seiko relaunched the collection in 2019, giving it a fresh new look with more sportiness than ever before. It has become one of the global brand’s most versatile ranges.
Japanese watch brands like Seiko and Casio prove an important point. They remind us that not all of horology’s finest innovations are Swiss.
Most importantly, Seiko 5 watches promise affordable prices. Remarkably, you can find some of the best Seiko watches under 500 dollars.
But where do you start?
The Best Seiko 5 Watches
If affordability, design, performance, and reputation are important to you, you’ve come to the right place. Scroll down for some great ways to add a bit of Seiko 5 to your life.
The Seiko 5 Sports SNXS Deep Black Wash Watch Reference SRPK89K1 — The Versatile One
Compact enough for small wrists, this Seiko 5 Sports SNXS Deep Black watch is a relatively young model.
Seiko experts adopt the design principles of the original Seiko 5 to create this design. It features broad, luminous-coated hands, a semi-spherical glass front, and a metal dial ring.
A mirror hairline finishing technique elevates this elegant sports watch. A vivid orange-red second hand stands out with superior legibility against a rich black dial.
Despite its sporty heritage, this Seiko 5 Sports watch has lots of classic appeal. In the evening, you can pair it with a suit or combine it with sporty gear. Either way, Seiko preserves the signature design cues of the popular 5 Sport beautifully in this model.
Additional features include a recessed crown, an automatic Seiko movement, a day-date display, and a steel bracelet. The watch measures a compact 37.4mm diameter and comes integrated with 100-meter water resistance.
Seiko 5 Sports SKX Watch Reference SRPD91 — Your Military Friend
It’s no surprise for Seiko’s army of fans to hear that a watch like the 5 Sports SRPD91 is a great all-rounder. Even those with more cash to splash on a watch can appreciate the value enjoyed in a watch like this.
It offers a set of features that any newbies or experienced collectors would love. After all, who doesn’t need a dive watch in their collection?
OK, so you may only be able to venture down to 100 meters with the watch. But this affordable and handsome Seiko 5 Sports watch is hard to say “no” to.
This is a slightly bigger watch, measuring 42.5mm in diameter, but it is relatively small. A black rotating bezel brings the case into proportion. It surrounds chunky hands and hour markers watchmakers treated with lashings of Lumibrite material.
I particularly love the rugged, military vibes of this Seiko 5 Sports watch. This design comes in several color combinations. If you want something inspired by the armed forces, try the olive green strap seen on this model.
The Seiko 5 Sport Watch Reference SNK793 — The Casual One
Relaxed and classy, the Seiko 5 Sport SNK793 watch casually slid into the collection in 2019. Once it did, it became a popular sports watch for every eventuality.
What I like about this model is its simplicity and versatile aesthetic. Its steel bracelet is sophisticated enough for evening use, and its navy blue dial is very suit-friendly.
This is a Seiko self-winding watch with plenty of wearer-friendly features. Examples include its red day aperture, legible date window, a generous lume application on the hour markers and hands.
The Seiko 5 Watch Reference SNXS79 — The Expensive Looking One
The Seiko 5 Watch SNXS79 watch gets my vote because it looks so expensive. I particularly like how the case curves so effortlessly, creating a tonneau-shaped profile.
A rich-looking anthracite sunburst dial, accented with silver-toned elements, brings the entire design to life.
Depending on the angle and the lighting, this Seiko 5 watch looks like it costs a lot more to own.
Seiko specialists top it with a Hardlex front and equip it with an automatic movement with 41 hours of power reserve to keep it ticking over nicely.
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, this 37mm Seiko watch is just the ticket. So, save yourself the five-figure price tag and opt for this Seiko watch instead.
The Seiko 5 Automatic Watch Reference SNKL23 — With Luxury Finishes
Look at the high-end finish of this Seiko watch’s case. Seiko experts apply a mix of brushed and high-polished finishes to this 38mm model. Seiko applies the different finishes impeccably well, exemplifying Seiko’s promise of affordable quality.
Flat brushed surfaces combine with polished curves to create a high-end feel. Yet this watch’s different dial textures and the 4 o’clock crown switch things up so tastefully.
I really love the mesh Milanese-style steel bracelet on this watch. However, you can get creative with it by changing the strap. Swap it for a camel-colored brown leather strap to enjoy it in a whole different way.
The Seiko 5 Sports SKX Series Watch Reference SRPD79 — The Black One
Yes, the Seiko 5 watch collection includes blacked-out versions. Models like the reference SRPD97—well, you either love them or hate them! They’re certainly distinctive and eye-catching. I personally love a blacked-out military watch.
This one belongs to the company’s dive watch category of the Seiko 5 range and has a rugged, tool-like look.
Features like a see-through caseback make this watch unique. What’s more, its unidirectional rotating bezel, dive case, and strap are all one color. All of these features make it one of the great monochrome watches of the world.
This is another slightly larger case size, measuring 42.5mm in diameter, yet it wears compact thanks to its black block color. This watch has 41 hours of power reserve, 100-meter water resistance, an exhibition case back, and a Hardlex glass front.
Seiko 5 Field Watch
Seiko 5 Field watches are perfect for those with an affinity for outdoor pursuits. With robust case constructions and legible dials, these are tool watches with a purpose. Check out these excellent recommendations.
The Seiko 5 Sports SRPG31 — For Small Wrists
The SRPG31 is a relatively new 5 Sports watch from Seiko’s Field Watch series. Measuring in at a reasonable 39.4mm diameter, this is a great option for 8-inch wrists and under.
The watch packs a ton of military-infused features. Its white Arabic numeral hour track sits against a grain-textured blue dial that looks old-world. With its worn look, it’s an option that will certainly appeal to fans of the best field watches.
The Seiko 5 Sports SRPG31 model is a tough stainless steel companion with curved Hardlex glass to keep costs down. It also features Lumibrite hands powered by the automatic Calibre 4R36.
Once you’ve fully wound it, you can even use a 41-hour power reserve, (not that you’d want it off your wrist).
The watch also features a supple color-matching blue nylon strap and exposes the in-house movement through an exhibition case back.
The Seiko 5 Sports Watch Reference SSK025 — The Mission-Focussed One
Check out the five-sided GMT hand on this Seiko 5 Sports Field watch. Guaranteeing around-the-clock legibility, this companion will serve you well whether traveling for business or recreation.
It features a stealthy black hard-coated stainless steel case that looks entirely mission-focused. Ready to face any challenge, its bezel provides a 24-hour track for tracking an additional time zone.
Orange accents make the GMT hand pop against the watch’s sleek black dial, which I absolutely love. This is another compact case size, measuring in at 39.4mm.
A curved Hardlex glass keeps the elements of this eye-catching dial entirely preserved, including the orange-tipped second hand. Prepare for astounding legibility at nightfall as the Lumibrite elements glow in a rich green emission.
A 100-meter water resistance and superior level of magnetic resistance offer plenty of bang for your buck, too. This men’s sports watch also has a black calfskin strap that pairs easily with casual attire.
FAQs
It’s time for a quick-fire round on Seiko 5 watches.
Is Seiko 5 worth buying?
If you’re looking for a solid, well-made, accurate watch, Seiko 5 watches are superb choices. They may not be home to the world’s most expensive sports and dress watches. Their value-to-quality ratio, however, is hard to beat.
What does Seiko 5 mean?
The “5” in the Seiko 5 name refers to five qualities shared by every watch from the collection. These features include the day-date function, recessed crown, and water resistance.
Are Seiko 5 watches any good?
Seiko 5 watches are reliable, functional, and practical, making them some of the best daily beaters on the market.
Why are Seiko 5 watches cheap?
Seiko prides itself on quality and affordability. Despite housing independent mechanical movements, a Seiko watch offers a great deal. (We cover Seiko movements more here).
One reason the brand can charge such reasonable prices is that it relies on no other manufacturers for parts and materials.
What is the Seiko Gear 5 watch?
The Seiko Fear 5 watch is a watch Seiko made in collaboration with One Piece, a popular manga series and television show. This limited-edition watch is hard to find.
Is there a Seiko 5 field watch?
Seiko has the Seiko 5 Sports Field series. The SSK023, for example, is in the field watch style and has a GMT function.
The Takeaway
That was your guide to 8 of the best Seiko 5 Watches. The list covers all you need in a user-friendly yet reliable everyday tool. Seikos are a favorite brand among watch enthusiasts because of their wide range and relatively accessible price points.
Of course, the brand’s Seiko 5 watch collection is more comprehensive. With so many options, there’s one out there for everyone.
In fact, you might walk away with more than one. I won’t judge. Promise! What’s your favorite Seiko 5 watch? Let us know in the comments, and tell us why you love it so much.
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