Seiko Men's Analogue Automatic Self-Winding Watch with Stainless Steel Bracelet – SNXS73K

Product Information

Because it’s slightly overshadowed by the 23, the SNKL15 isn’t quite as expensive and can be found slightly more affordably. You don’t get a twin-trigger release here, not even a safety latch – just a friction-fit clasp like in the old days. In addition to what Melvin said, since the time of the review, my SNXS79 has seen some more strenuous water exposure – that including a direct stream from a tap, and shower. Seiko 5 watches are durable, and their 7S26/4R36 movements are reliable workhorses known to withstand some abuse and survive it.

A matching black date wheel ensures continuity throughout the entirety of the dial, with no harsh visual breaks like some other watches tend t have. It is a ‘smaller’ case size (37mm in diameter) and is maybe even smaller than average by modern day standards. At the time, after wearing a dive watch for a couple of months, I thought the Seiko 5 looked too small and effeminate on me. However, I’ve seen people submerge – even swim with – these watches, so I presume that it’s relatively safe to expose them to water.The date mechanism engages at 9 PM, starts switching some time past 11, and completes the switch by just after midnight. I don’t know if Seiko has on purpose delivered these to Europe, or was my watch some glitch in their exports, and was meant to be sold in the Middle East. I do appreciate craftsmanship and inginuity of many Swiss pieces, but like you said, as far as reliability and affordability, Seiko is hard to beat.

It’s certainly not as hideous as the Miyota 821A, which I would consider the Fiat Multipla of modern watchmaking as far as the looks go.The good news is, this raises the entire watch off your wrist a bit and gives you a bit of extra wiggle room when moving your wrist around, adding to the overall comfort. If the traditional black dial design is a bit too plain, you can check out the all-black dial AND case SRPD79, the blue dial/bezel SRPD51, the green and rose gold SRPD63, or the orange SRPD59. And the hands and hour markers are filled with luminescent paint which lights up in the dark to make the watch easier to read.

This is more of the vintage Rolex that has been passed down in the family for generations look, rather than the large, blingy gold monstrosities you might find on a rapper’s wrist. 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. Seiko 5 Sports is usually reserved for the Seiko 5s with at least 100 meters of water resistance, and the slightly upgraded 4R36 movement. The stainless steel case and bezel are polished, as are the outer edges of the applied hour markers and hands. All in all, the Seiko 5 SNXS79 is truly one of the best ‘bang-for-your-buck’ watches considering how affordably you can find them online.

The watch is small, at just 37mm, so it’s not the type of gold watch for someone looking to flaunt their wealth, but rather someone who wants a touch of elegance. Hacking simply stops the second hand when setting the time to be able to set the time more accurately, and hand-winding allows you to wind the automatic movement by hand, instead of only when it’s on your wrist.