Seiko SRPH25 Review-A Brilliant Update To The SNK809
The Seiko SNK809 was the very first watch I bought after deciding I wanted to get into watches. It was the "proof of concept" if you will. It's a watch I still own today, but only gets wrist time with my son. When someone on WatchCrunch reached out to me and offered to let me borrow his SRPH25, I was quite excited to see the "new version" of my first watch. Granted, this particular one has a black case, but I was excited nonetheless. Plus, I think the black case looks incredibly cool.
Right out of the gate I was impressed with the SRPH25. The bigger 40mm size fits my wrist better than the SNK did, as well as the 20mm lug to lug. I much prefer the look of a 20mm strap on my wrist than 18. I LOVE the updated broad sword hands, the inky black dial almost looks like laquer and the domed hardlex crystal adds much more dimension and interest to the dial than the old flat crystal. Another welcome update is the crown being placed at the 3 o'clock AND growing a bit in size. I'm a big fan of 4 o'clock crowns, but the small, recessed crown in the old models made setting the time a headache. This new one is so much easier to use and is still comfortable on wrist. Oh, and 100m of WR is a VERY welcome upgrade as well.
With the 4R36 under the hood (a newer movement with hacking and handwinding), that kind of completes the package. Overall, I think Seiko knocked it out of the park with these newer models. To me, they took a legendary Seiko 5 design and refined it in every way.
In terms of the blacked out SRPH25, I found it to look incredible on a few different natos. Green, black, grey and my personal favorite, the 'bond.' If you've seen any of my reviews you'll know that I only ever wear my watches on natos, so it's important to me that whatever watch I'm wearing work on natos. The milanese bracelet this comes on was taken off immediately. If this were my watch, it would be thrown in my desk drawer never to be seen again. That's pretty much the fate of any bracelet that comes my way.
Unfortunately if you're in the USA, availability is few and far between for some reason. Same goes with the standard 'silver' case and black dial. Not sure why these aren't available, but you can find them new on eBay if you're really jonesing for one. Lastly, a BIG thank you to the kind gentleman who let me borrow this lovely watch. I'm grateful I got to check this out!
Seiko SRPH25 Review-A Brilliant Update To The SNK809
Yes
No
- 40mm Case
- Broad Sword Hands
- Domed Hardlex Crystal
- Bigger, More Usable Crown
- Strap Monster
- 4R36 Movement
- Drilled Lugs
- 100m WR
- Poor Lume
- Not A Fan of The Bracelet
- More Expensive Than The SNK Series (upgrades make it worth it though)
Current collection: Seiko SARB033, Seiko SBSA057, Seiko SZSB011
Nice write up! Own the original SNK803 myself and love it, but think Seiko's newer, updated versions are awesome; for many/most of the reasons you cite! A tad overpriced though IMHO 😀
I really like the SRPH33K1 (The orange and black version) and your review of this black and white version is reinforcing the result of the poll I created on the subject.
This watch is really awesome!
Personally, I don't think these watches are overpriced. The whole package comes together rather nicely, and Seiko is offering them in all kinds of styles. I actually like the domed crystal with its distortions.
Sure you can get watches with a very similar specs for less, but few will look as good at that price point.
Nice write up! Own the original SNK803 myself and love it, but think Seiko's newer, updated versions are awesome; for many/most of the reasons you cite! A tad overpriced though IMHO 😀
Definitely more expensive than the previous generation. I think I got my SNK809 on Amazon for around $70 when it was still in production. I think the upgrades and re-design of the newer models is worth the price difference though.
Personally, I don't think these watches are overpriced. The whole package comes together rather nicely, and Seiko is offering them in all kinds of styles. I actually like the domed crystal with its distortions.
Sure you can get watches with a very similar specs for less, but few will look as good at that price point.
Agree about the domed crystal! It's gorgeous! I'm in agreement on the price too. I think it makes sense given the newer movement, 100m of water resistance and all the other refinements over the previous gen models.
Agree about the domed crystal! It's gorgeous! I'm in agreement on the price too. I think it makes sense given the newer movement, 100m of water resistance and all the other refinements over the previous gen models.
Specs are a funny thing. They fade into the background if you really like the look of a watch.
It's actually a hard lesson to learn to not buy a sensible watch that doesn't tickle your fancy. Hardly anything about this hobby is reasonable.
Specs are a funny thing. They fade into the background if you really like the look of a watch.
It's actually a hard lesson to learn to not buy a sensible watch that doesn't tickle your fancy. Hardly anything about this hobby is reasonable.
"Specs are a funny thing. They fade into the background if you really like the look of a watch."
Absolutely agree on this. The value of a watch is much more than the sum of its parts.
Seiko 5 flieger dial have lot of variants and there is one for everyone. I personally like the cream dial since I have only seen the cream and black dial variants on the mesh and other two variants in green and blue dial which comes on the canvas strap. Can't wait to see the new 36mm version with the jade green dial.
You find these models for $200-250, not easy to find them for lesser price compared to other Seiko 5 model. They are finished more than well for the price.
Now that I have seen the photos of all black version, makes me want one. Its very stealthy and cool. The bond nato is made for this watch 👌🏽
Great photos as aways🔥
Definitely more expensive than the previous generation. I think I got my SNK809 on Amazon for around $70 when it was still in production. I think the upgrades and re-design of the newer models is worth the price difference though.
you are probably right ... I do like the looks of the upgraded version better, especially with the slightly larger dial ... makes it "more" of a Flieger actually! A few online reviewers though make the point that the upgrades do not justify the what they deem to be a "hefty" price hike.
I'm just a frugal bastage though, so what do I know! LOL! 😎