Seiko 5 SNKL45k1 review!!!
Let me start off this review by saying I'm not a watch expert!!! This is my one and only watch, so if I give it a questionable score that's because I don't have anything to compare it to. I also only started really getting into watches about two months ago.
This review is going to be in a way were I each judge-able category and everything else at the end.
So let begin!!!
Okay this review is about the the Seiko 5 reference number SNKL45k1 I was gifted this watch in November of 2021 so it shows some sign of wear. At the time I got it at an AD for around €175, but they can easily be found for around €100, if you go online.
Wearability
The dimensions of of this watch are 37.5mm diameter, 42mm lug to lug and 12mm thickness.
This makes watch quite compact. If you have small wrists(~6inch) this will be perfect. If they're bigger it's going to look small.
(My wrist size is 6.2 inches for reference)
2. Design
The snkl has a case with a nice balance between the brushed and polished surfaces, the default bracelet is a brushed oyster style bracelet with two polished sections on the middle link and a fairly standard clasp.
And a display caseback.
3. The materials for both the case and bracelet is stainless steel.
Since I've worn this watch for more than 500 days it's no surprise that it has some minor scuffs and scratches.
There's a very small mark on the very bottom of crystal, but you can only see it if you're actually looking for it, I can't even manage to get it on camera.
And as for the bracelet it's quite bad... It has hollow end links and stamped links.
And the bracelet barely move I'll put a pic of how far the links bend... It's bad.
4. Dial
Ahhh my favourite thing about the snkl. The clean arrow hands minimal baton hour markers, minimal text, applied Seiko 5 logo, the pop of red in the seconds hand and on Sunday.
And finally the best thing the charcoal brownish/blackish sunburst dial... It's amazing. (It's currently dark out while I'm writing this so I'll put a pic in the comments tomorrow)
5. Movement
Like I explained I'm new... don't much about this stuff. I'll tell you what I do know.
It's an automatic movement with 21 jewels¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
And it has a number on the caseback and movement, it goes as follows: 7S26-01V0 for the caseback and 7S26C for the movement.
Seiko 5 SNKL45k1 review!!!
Yes
No
- Beautiful dial
- Cheap!!!
- Automatic movement
- Display caseback
- Crappy bracelet
- The lume isn't that good, it's good but only small parts are lumed
I'm a new teenage watch collector and dress watch and cat lover.
This is a great review and spot on for the Seiko 5. Your likes and dislikes are going to be echoed by most here. If Seiko put the same effort they do from their dials i tl their bracelets, they would be unstoppable.
This cheap $100 SNKL case is my favorite case on any watch <$3000. I just love the proportions of that thing. It sits so nicely on the wrist, on top of having elegant touches of brushed elements to break the monotony of all polished sides. It's a great baby-44GS.
This is the watch that made me fall in love with the Seiko grammar of design.
This is a great review and spot on for the Seiko 5. Your likes and dislikes are going to be echoed by most here. If Seiko put the same effort they do from their dials i tl their bracelets, they would be unstoppable.
Thank you very much for the feedback;)
This cheap $100 SNKL case is my favorite case on any watch <$3000. I just love the proportions of that thing. It sits so nicely on the wrist, on top of having elegant touches of brushed elements to break the monotony of all polished sides. It's a great baby-44GS.
This is the watch that made me fall in love with the Seiko grammar of design.
The way you describe it conveys it's beauty much better than I could ever.
You're completely right about the proportions part. Even with the all the watches I see on WC they rarely have matching proportions.
The SNKL4x line is indeed legendary. Good choice for your first watch. Good review too. Here's my SNKL41...
Try to put your SNKL45 on different bracelets and straps. You'll appreciate its versatility even more. Cheers! 🍻
The SNKL4x line is indeed legendary. Good choice for your first watch. Good review too. Here's my SNKL41...
Try to put your SNKL45 on different bracelets and straps. You'll appreciate its versatility even more. Cheers! 🍻
Thank you, I was already looking for a black leather strap for it and because of the suggestion of @mylastwatch I'm also considering a presidential style bracelet.
It's sad that we no longer have the $50 Seiko 5. Those were fun. I took one apart and back together, just for fun (it stopped working shortly afterward, so.........).
That's a very good review! You hit so many good things about this amazing watch!
I bought this 6-7 years ago from a young man who did not like the automatic movement. It was barely worn. I paid at the time 70$ Canadian wich means around 55-60 US.
It's very versatile dressy or sporty with that red second hand that gives it a very classic look. Everytime I, wear it I feel the same joy as the first day!