Seiko Men's Analogue Automatic Watch with Stainless Steel Bracelet – SNKL45K1

Product Information

The 42mm Seiko 5 Sports “5KX” divers are a bit larger, as dive watches typically are. Traditionally, this was so dive watches could have larger hour markers, and be more legible when divers used them underwater. Today, 42mm is no longer a “large” watch by modern standards. This is closer to the watch size you likely see on most people’s wrists. 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.

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. 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.

Seiko 5 watches are durable, and their 7S26/4R36 movements are reliable workhorses known to withstand some abuse and survive it. Because you asked for opinions, I'll give you mine, but ultimately the decision is for you to make. The two watches are quite similar and I suppose they are so in pricing as well (?). They both have the same movement, same handset and similar overall design. I personally like the simpler design of the SNKL45 dial with a uniform texture on the dial and no framing on the day-date complication. The lume on the "inner" side of the indices also looks better in my opinion and works better with the lume on the handset which doesn't reach all the way to the tip of the hands, making the SNKL45 more legible in the dark as the lume pips are closer to the lume on the handset, if that's of any concern for you. 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. 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?

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. 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. 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. However, while the watch will survive for generations, if properly looked after, you will need to have the movement serviced by an experienced watchmaker. This is the case with every mechanical watch, as its series of tiny mechanical parts need to occasionally be cleaned and lubricated to run properly. 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.The watch doesn’t have a sapphire crystal, which helps prevent scratches, nor a screw-down crown, making it a deal-breaker for some. Though, I’ve taken mine on vacation and beat it up. The included hardlex crystal doesn’t have a scratch on it, and despite only having 100 meters of water resistance, I was still able to take this watch swimming in pools and the ocean, without any issues whatsoever. When purchasing a watch which has a metal bracelet with adjustable links, we will gladly adjust the watch bracelet to fit your wrist before sending the watch to you - free of charge! 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. The included Jubilee bracelet is one of the most solid I’ve ever worn, and I’ve tried dozens of third-party Jubilees from companies like Strapcode for watches like my SKX. 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!

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.No, Seiko hasn’t discontinued the Seiko 5. They are still in production, however, Seiko has no longer released any new 37mm original Seiko ‘5’ badge models. Instead, Seiko is releasing new Seiko 5 Sports watches, such as their SRPD 5KX dive watch, SRPE DressKX, SRPG field watch, and SRPH29 pilot watchmodels. While this has changed over time, the 5 in Seiko 5 represented the original 5 elements that were present in every watch:

Having a watch case with so many precisely machined edges that vary in their finish, from brushed to polish, is rare in most watches, let alone watches this affordable. The top-brushed lugs are accented by a polished bevel that really adds some visual dimensions when viewing this watch from different angles. 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 watches are great, the included bracelet or strap on the older 5 models leaves a bit to be desired. The metal bands are often hollow feeling, hair-pulling, and difficult to adjust. When buying an older 5, you might want to consider that you might want to spend a bit extra to find a replacement strap down the line.While many of us might not need such an apparatus on our watch, one that our phones can likely do better for us non-divers, I like using it to time how much time is left for food in the oven, or how much time I have left in a parking meter. Leather strap watches tend to fit without a problem for most wearers. However, watches fitted with metal bracelets often need adjusting to get the perfect fit. 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. I also like the case design better on the SNKL45, albeit I haven't seen the SNKL23 in person so that could change my opinion about the watch overall. The only thing I prefer on the latter is perhaps the second hand, which isn't red. I might grow to like the red second hand more if I had the watch for a while, who knows. 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.