Seiko SNK793K1 Review - The BEST Watch ANYONE Can Afford? | My First Ever ‘Seiko 5’
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You’ve probably heard of these before.
Today I find out if they’re worth the hype.
Seiko is a brand with over a century of history. Too much to really dive into with this post, but there’s one thing definitely worth mentioning. When I talk about watches to people online and in person, I’m still shocked by how many think this brand is completely out of their price range. I guess when you walk past high street watch dealers, you look in the window and often see pieces retailing for several hundreds of pounds; it can definitely give that impression.
In the early 1960’s Seiko created the Seiko 5 sub-brand; to bring quality and an automatic movement to the masses. The number 5 refers to 5 specific attributes, which the official Seiko website currently lists as:
1. Automatic winding movement
2. Day/date displayed in a single window
3. Water resistance
4. Recessed crown at the 4’oclock position
5. Durable case and bracelet
Realistically, many modern Seiko 5 models somewhat stray from this framework. However, the message is clear, these watches offer a solid baseline of quality, at a price that is easily affordable for most people. Whilst their newest upcoming Seiko 5 line is controversially priced at closer to £300, the vast majority can still be had for well below £150, with many models under the 100 mark.
Today I’ll be taking a look at this Seiko SNK793, which I picked up what must have been about six months ago for about £95. There is a load of models in this SNK series, so this review should encompass most of them too. If you want to take a look for yourself, I’ll leave a link to these throughout this article.
Seiko 5 Bracelet
As with most Seiko 5 models, this comes on a stainless-steel bracelet. This one is only constructed of folded links and hollow end links. It is neater than most folded link bracelets I’ve come across but it’s nothing impressive. It feels quite light, cheap and tinny. You’ll notice the loud rattling noise, which isn’t pleasant. These watches are renowned for having pretty crap bands, whilst putting the money into the rest of the watch. For comparison, I’d say the one you get on the Invicta Pro Diver, which retails for a similar price, is noticeable better; that one has solid links and feels far more substantial.
The clasp does have 3 micro adjustments, which is nice, but again is an area where corners have been cut. You may want to switch this out for an alternative strap at some point.
Case
The case does have a higher level of finishing. This is also constructed of stainless steel and comes in at 38mm in diameter and 11m in depth; supporting 18mm straps. This features a high shine bezel and rear, with brushed steel flanks. Overall, the tightly contoured lugs give the case a very circular shape, which some may like and others may not. Personally, I think I prefer the more traditional shape of other SNK variants that are available, though it was worth giving this a try.
Nevertheless, I love the proportions of the Seiko 5 SNK793K1. It’s really satisfying wearing a piece that’s 38mm; it just sits so well on my wrist and looks awesome. So many watches these days are 42mm and over, which I think for most men is just excessive. The great thing with these Seiko 5 watches is you get a huge variety of models with different proportions to pick from, so there are options out there for every wrist size. This 38mm is a great sweet spot for me and it’s still quite slim, despite the automatic movement; which we’ll touch on soon.
The crown is recessed at the 4 o’clock position. While the grip is good, I still find it tricky to make adjustments given the small size and recessed placement. That being said, it does tuck in rather nicely and gives a pleasing, near symmetrical appearance. Very slick.
Seiko 5 Glass
Covering the dial is a simple piece of mineral crystal, which is the standard type of glass used in watches at this sort of price point. This material isn’t the best and is prone to scratches, despite providing some limited protection. It’s a shame there’s no sapphire here, but it’s hardly expected given the price. There’s also a second piece as part of the exhibition case-back, allowing you to see straight through to the movement within.
dial design
The face is what I would describe as your classic everyday Seiko. Relatively chunky hour markers, baton hands and a date window with a silver outline. The dial on this model is a very dark navy and does have somewhat of a sunburst effect when at specific angles. In person, it is a little darker than the online images suggest and a bit dim for my taste; but overall looks good enough and does help the watch look slightly more expensive than the price tag.
On reflection, I’d love it if the day/date window was a darker colour, to further blend in with the rest of the dial. I think the white sticks out a bit and cheapens the overall look, so it’s not my favourite.
Seiko 5 Movement
The Seiko 5s are really popular because you can easily grab an automatic Seiko movement for pennies. Inside this one you’ll find a Caliber 7S26C movement. This has no hacking or hand winding, but I doubt many people considering this watch would really care. Really, this is a reliable lower end movement, which I think is a great gateway into mechanical watches, especially given the fact you can see it through the rear window.
You really can’t complain in that regard, for under £100.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I do like this watch and I think it offers great value, but it’s not my absolute favourite. You get a lot of watch for the money, with some great features, I just think I might prefer another design in the future; this one plays it very safe.
I could see this being a fantastic first mechanical watch for someone looking to try them out, or a cool gift option for a male companion. This design is quite versatile and I could see being well suited to casual and formal occasions, which could potentially save you spending on two separate watches.
Furthermore, you tap into some of the brand prestige associated with Seiko. Whilst it’s no Rolex, there is something cool about wearing a watch from a heritage brand like Seiko, who have made significant contributions to watchmaking. It’s much better than spending a similar amount on a terrible watch from a high street fashion store. One benefit is the re-sale value. Unlike with cheap fashion watch brands, you’ll be able to sell a used one of these and recoup a significant amount of the purchase cost. This is great if you decide to change your mind or need funds towards another piece for your collection.
If you’re after budget watches I’d definitely have a scout of these watches to see if there’s one that tickles your fancy, I’ll link them below.
