Lorus Automatic Watch Review - This Is A Seiko 5, But Better?
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One of my favorite pieces I've featured to date is the super-cheap Lorus titanium field watch I reviewed on the blog last year. Ever since, I've been keeping an eye out for something equally cool, especially in the lower price brackets.
A couple of months back, I pulled the trigger on a similarly styled grey titanium Lorus watch, which had the same case design as the former. Unfortunately, it missed the mark. For whatever reason, possibly the bland color scheme, it lacked panache; I was after something with more pop and personality.
Then, when browsing the Lorus site, I discovered they'd released a new line of mechanical wristwatches, the first in recent memory from that brand. This revelation got me thinking. Like the Pulsar sub-brand, Lorus is an offshoot of Seiko, generally targeting the lower end of the market. Effectively, they're Seiko watches with a different stamp on them. Therefore, how would one of these new pieces stack up versus a genuine Seiko 5? After all, on paper, these Lorus automatics appear to be the same sort of entry point.
Of course, we don't like speculation here at Ben's Watch Club; we like to get our mitts on the real thing! Thanks to Amazon for covering the cost of this RL439AX9, which looked pretty unusual from the stock images. At $120, it's also priced competitively with most Seiko 5's and is cheaper than many of the new-gen releases; internationally, it may be a bit cheaper.
Dial Design
I want to dive straight into the dial. You see, the product shots showcased a weird ridged texture and a bright green-gold color scheme that certainly stands out from the competition.
In-person, it's just as enjoyable. This is about the most intricately designed dial I've come across on a ~$100 automatic watch, alongside the acclaimed SNK361 with its array of microscopic 5s. This Lorus houses a finely ribbed ring that cuts through the hour markers and a vertically woven selection of engravings throughout. Due to the matte finish, it doesn't glisten, though it provides a unique look nonetheless. The indexes, on the other hand, are standard-fare. Each is spear-tip shaped, with a basic glossy finish on each side. While basic, the alignment is on-point throughout, something that can't be said for many Seiko 5 watches!
The high-shine surface is replicated on the hands, with the dauphine handset stretching to the appropriate markers at the circumference. While these look good, you'll notice towards the central stem, there is some visible warping, which is exacerbated by the reflective material.
The text is clear and concise, with only the brand name, movement type, and water resistance mentioned. While all quite neat and easily readable, it's bizarre that each is in a different font style. There are four fonts when including the date window; there's just no need for such inconsistency in a compact space.
Given the large sizing, the date window is situated closer to the middle than may be ideal, though I still think it's a rather good-looking watch. Admittedly, it's not something I'd wear, but I can appreciate why others might like it.
Dimensions
Indeed, as you can see from the wrist shot, this one is too big for my wrist. Given that many of their watches are around 40mm, I expected their automatic offerings to come in at comparable widths. However, both are larger at around 42mm (41.8mm). This model has a 12.1mm thickness and a relatively long 49mm lug-to-lug measurement.
The end links are very flexible, making the watch more wearable than the dimensions indicate, though it still fits larger wrists the best.
Case Construction
As expected, this has a stainless steel case with a high polish bezel, polished flanks, and brushing on the upper portions. The quality is essentially on par with the 7S26 generation Seiko 5's I've experienced (SNKL23, SNK361, SNK809, etc.). It's basic, but feels substantial and durable, albeit it is prone to scratches, as you might be able to see in the product shots.
Unlike a Seiko 5, the crown isn't recessed. Instead, it sits externally at the standard 3 o'clock position. It's unsigned but is grippy enough for everyday usage. It suffices, though there is a dead zone where you can wiggle the crown a little without any resulting hand movement. This makes fine adjustments frustrating, a common pet peeve I've had with this movement before; more on that shortly.
One of my favorite parts of this watch is the exhibition rear. This is screw-down and advertises a 5bar water resistance, which is decent for this watch style. Honestly, I think it could withstand more than that from the secure feeling alone, though it's admittedly never going to be a diver's best friend. This rating is superior to most similarly styled Seiko 5 models, which typically offer just 3bar splash resistance.
Watch Movement
Through the glass, you can see the automatic movement whirring away. To my understanding, the mechanism labeled as a 'Y676C' is a rebadged Seiko 7S26C, identical to that in most last-gen Seiko 5 watches. Given its presence in this newly released watch, I assume Seiko and Lorus must have a hoard of these now-discontinued movements in reserve.
If you're familiar with the 7S26, you'll know that this movement is durable but rudimentary, with no hacking or hand-winding capabilities. You'll have to rotate the watch to get it going manually. For $120, it's not bad, but we have seen more modern alternatives make their way into equally priced offerings elsewhere. Nevertheless, it's still better than the ever-present $2 Miyota quartz that we've looked at in other $150 watches.
Even though it's visually much too large for me, the watch surprisingly remains comfortable on the wrist and doesn't wobble about once the bracelet is secured to the correct size.
Watch Bracelet
On the subject of the bracelet, look at the post's title! This is, more or less, a rebadged Seiko 5, so you should know what to expect. Indeed, it's the usual basic, folded link steel band with a rudimentary pressed clasp that integrates reasonably with the case but won't be winning any awards. To be fair, it's probably in line with some of the slightly better Seiko 5 bracelets, such as that fitted to the SNKL45. It also has a sufficient three micro-adjustment holes to customize the fit, though hair pulling could necessitate a strap replacement for the furrier of you out there.
The packaging provided with this Lorus is worse than your average cheap Seiko, though it retains the same mineral crystal over the dial, which is the run-of-the-mill material at this price point.
Final Thoughts
In many ways, this is pretty much a Seiko 5. The build is very similar, the design is unique, and if anything, the quality control seems slightly better. Of course, if you decide to resell the watch in the future, it's unlikely you'll recover as much of the original price back, given the Lorus name holds less weight than Seiko.
For my wrist, the sizing makes it a no-go compared to the smaller Seiko's I've previously covered, which fit me far better. Nevertheless, if you desire a Seiko 5 but dislike the small cases, this Lorus could be a way of effectively trying one in a larger package. It certainly has a unique look, but in hindsight, I think the blue dial option on their website looks more attractive, even if it's harder to track down.
If you want to grab one, it's linked in the buttons throughout this article. If not, I'd check out this article next, which covers three of the best Seiko 5 watches. All of those look incredible for the money.
