Are the new Seiko 5 watches ACTUALLY worse? – Old vs New Seiko Field Watch Comparison
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Seiko fans were up in arms when the beloved SKX diver was discontinued a couple of years back. All versions were among the highest regarded entry-level tool watches, with an iconic aesthetic and rock-solid performance that consistently made them an easy recommendation for those new to watch collecting.
Unexpectedly, this horological legend was pulled from production, only to quickly be replaced by a near-identical clone with worse water performance and a higher MSRP.
The reception was mixed, to say the least. Many were quick to praise the upgraded movement and the increase in available colors, while others ridiculed the SRPD as an overpriced and under-specced cash-grab. Essentially claiming that the new Seiko 5 was a worse watch for the money.
As the brand recently pulled a similar stunt with their field watch line-up, I figured I’d look into it, to see if this new release is better, or potentially worse, value than its predecessors.
SNK805 vs SNZG09 vs SRPG33
Here we have the classic SNK805 and SNZG09, which are probably nearing the end of their run, and the newcomer, the SRPG33.
Watches from left to right: Seiko SNK805, Seiko SRPG33 and Seiko SNZG09
I’ve opted for all of these in green to make this comparison as fair as possible. Jomashop kindly sent me the two older models, while Amazon covered the cost of the newer version. You’ll find them all affiliate linked throughout this article.
At the time of writing, the SNK805 is available for $90 to $100, the SNZG09 is $130 to $150, while the SRPG is more like $200. You’ll notice that’s quite the price gap, so how do they stack up?
Packaging
All 3 watches come in typically entry-level boxes. If anything, that provided with the previous generation models feels more substantial, though both options do suffice.
Design and Dimensions
When side by side, you can see why I selected these three. It’s almost like the three tiers of Pokémon evolution as they look like different members of the same family…which I guess they are.
Seiko SNK805
Seiko SNZG09
Seiko SRPG33
The 37.3mm SNK is the smallest, with the 42mm SNZG being the largest and the 39.4mm SRPG fitting snugly between the two. I’ll let you be the judge on which would be most viable for your wrist size. For context, the SNK fits me the best, followed by the SRPG, which I can just about get away with, though it is a little floaty for reasons I shall mention later.
Case Construction
As expected, all are constructed of the same 316L stainless steel, and for the most part, the cases look pretty similar, with comparably toned blasted finishes across each. The two legacy models exhibit more of a matte finish than the newer 5, which is marginally more reflective when under direct light. The two largest pieces are also the most alike, with a near-identical appearance, just executed on a different scale. In terms of precision, I think both of these are roughly equal and the edges are a touch more defined than the SNK, which for the most part remains in the same ballpark.
There are a few notable differences, some of which constitute advantages for the refresh (SRPG33). The first is the inner lug area, which is fully blasted to match the remainder of the case, unlike the cheaply polished equivalent on the older models. This upgrade extends to the rear, where a lovely blasted case-back resides in the place of the previously glossy areas. These alterations certainly give a more consistent look, though they won’t be particularly noticeable during wear.
Watch Crowns
Crowns are a feature that you likely will notice. All 3 are standard push-pull crowns, so no screwing here. My favorite is the recessed crown on the SNK805, which tucks away neatly to form the most symmetrical aesthetic of the bunch. This implementation was a staple of the Seiko 5 ranges of past years, which we’re seeing less frequently these days. Those fitted to the SNZG and SRPG are much more standard, with the smaller SRPG surprisingly being larger. Both are acceptable, though it would be interesting to see if swapping them improved the looks of either.
Seiko SNK805
Seiko SRPG33 (Left) Seiko SNZG09 (Right)
Drilled lugs are a welcome addition to the new SRPG, allowing you to change straps or bracelets more conveniently, where more focus and accuracy would otherwise be mandatory.
Water Resistance
The least expensive offering, rather unsurprisingly, also offers the worst aquatic performance, with an assigned 3bar splashproof designation that could be considered the Achilles heel of an everyday, durable field watch. I mentioned this when reviewing the black version, the SNK809, and while not the end of the world, it’s still somewhat frustrating even at the low price. The remaining offerings each boast an ample 10bar water resistance, so they are better suited to being submerged for long durations, should that be necessary. This means you can wear them swimming without a concern of water penetrating the innards, so long as the crowns are fully compressed. That added versatility could make those a more tempting proposition for your intended use case.
Movement
Under the hood, the 7S-series movements in the legacy models come up against their successor, the 4R36 in the new watch (SRPG33). For the most part, the latter is the same as the others but is equipped with more jewels, a hacking lever, and a hand-winding bridge, unlocking those additional capabilities. This means you don’t need to rely on the infamous ‘Seiko shake’ to recharge an idle movement, and you’ll be able to make more precise time adjustments.
While these are undoubted boons, to me, neither are game-changing, and in most situations, you’ll notice little difference in performance between the two lines, despite this arguably being the SRPG’s flagship feature. Both will provide reliable performance and are a better value proposition than the dirt-cheap quartz tickers powering some comparably-priced alternatives. Both types operate at the same 21,600 beats per hour, so they are not the smoothest, but get the job done.
Watch Crystal
Disappointingly, the increased price has not correlated with a crystal improvement. Again, the new SRPG only houses hardlex glass, functionally identical to the pieces fitted to the SNK and SNZG. All units appear to manage reflections evenly, and the same can be said about scratch resistance. It’s borderline inexcusable that a £200+ watch does not have a sapphire crystal as standard in 2021, especially with this styling and considering the specifications offered by numerous other brands.
At the very least, it is domed and does look more premium than the flat glass on the other two, but it’s a shame nonetheless.
Design
The recent Seiko 5 releases have received widespread acclaim for their updated and modernized designs. While many outlets have completely overhyped these new models to stay in Seikos good books, I think this is a sleek watch regardless. It most closely resembles the SNZG, with a similar layout that includes much of the same typography but foregoes the raised minute track in favor of a more traditional flat chapter ring.
While the color scheme across all three watches is fundamentally identical, the more expensive watch has more premium touches, including some subtle dial texturing and applied markers, rather than inked ones.
The brushing atop these is replicated on the hands, which otherwise mimic those present on the SNZG in size and profile.
Of course, there is also the replacement of the original shield for the newer printed 5 series icon.
Colorway
The SRPG certainly looks more expensive, primarily due to all of the applied bits, but I’m not sure it’s necessarily better looking than its predecessors. This khaki colorway looks dull and bland when paired with the brushed numbers. They have a gleam at certain angles, but the legibility suffers significantly when square-on in dimmer environments. In retrospect, I prefer the look of some alternative colors, which tend to provide higher contrast and clearer visuals that I think are more pleasing.
Seiko SRPG33
Seiko SNK805 (Left) SNZG09 (Right)
The SNZG is like a more restrained version of the SRPG, with white trimmings and more scripting, including the additional sports branding, jewel count, and water resistance text. Despite the added writing, it is probably more readable overall, though I’m not sure what to think about the slightly darker tone used on the outer ring. It gives the watch added depth and presence, but it is jarring at first.
I’m a big fan of the pilot/field watch hybrid that is the SNK805. It’s quirky and retro in all the right ways and has some unique flair, despite lacking some finishing touches due to the fully printed dial. I particularly like the handset and lume pips at the circumference. I imagine this one is more divisive than the other two; I see how some could write this off as too dated.
Luminescence
Night performance is good across the board, with each staying illuminated for a similar amount of time in dark conditions. Due to the thicker and longer markers, the older SNZG is hands-down the clearest out of the bunch, while the other two are battling for second place.
SRPG33 (Left) SNZG09 (Middle) SNK805 (Right)
Watch Straps
There isn’t much separating the straps either, as they all feel of reasonable quality for budget watches. If I had to choose, I’d say that the two-piece nylon fitted to the lowest cost watch actually feels like it will last the best, with its dual-layered construction and reinforced holes, though it does tend to catch on long-sleeved clothing.
Personally, I prefer these two-piece straps that don’t pass underneath the case due to my skinny wrist, as they avoid adding unnecessary bulk. For most people, the new Seiko 5 is probably just about slim enough to make the NATO that it ships with viable. If I were to rock this one properly, I’d still have to switch it, as it does increase the thickness.
While I’m not a fan of how these G10 straps work, aesthetically, it looks the best out of the three and provides a smooth look with no gaps at the lugs. I don’t think this is by accident either. I reckon all of the recent Seiko 5 watches have been crafted in a particular way, for a very specific reason.
Everything from the increased reflectivity of the case and numbers to the domed crystal and blasted rear feels like it’s there to look more premium in online marketing imagery. Perhaps it finally dawned on Seiko that beautiful product shots might convert better than pixelated messes taken on a potato? Who would have guessed it?
Final Thoughts
Due to the additional care and attention, the SRPG33 does look like the most expensive out of these three, as it should do, considering it’s double the cost of the older alternatives. When you have all three in your hands, it doesn’t feel like there should be such a divergence in price. Currently, you’re paying up to 100% more for a watch that probably feels about 30% better.
Therefore, while not a worse watch physically, I do think it is worse value than its forerunners, and at $200 it’s a little overpriced in my books. The older 5 models provide cheaper way of getting roughly the same experience with very few sacrifices.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Jomashop for providing the SNK805 and SNZG09 and Amazon for covering the cost of the SRPG33 for this video via an affiliate rewards voucher. All thoughts are my own.