Three reasons why you shouldn't buy the Seiko 5 GMT (Yet)
After much thought, I came to consider three reasons why I haven't bought the new Seiko 5 GMT, and I would like to share them with you.
- Price point: An automatic GMT watch with a new, in-house movement and on a bracelet under US$500 was unthinkable until now. Still, it is a Seiko 5, whose baseline model price can be up to 130% less than its GMT version. So no matter the movement, the hardlex bezel insert, or the improved bracelet, it is still overpriced, IMHO.
- Few options: One of the things I like about the Seiko 5 is the variety of forms the product line has taken during the years. In the case of the GMT family, there are only three variants (for now). However, Seiko's conservative approach is understandable, given the current supply chain constraints, and I am sure we'll see more options by 2023.
- Lack of commonality with aftermarket parts for modding: Most of the fun I have with the Seiko 5 is the possibility of modding your watch, creating a personalized timepiece. However, if your plans are modding the GMT, I recommend seeing this blog post from Lucius Atelier before making a purchasing decision.
If you are not interested in modding your watch, and the current options are good for you, wait for a sale to get a better price. In my case, I will wait for more choices and suitable mod parts.
What do you think? Let's start the debate.
26 comments
Sort by
Roberto
Airplanes, watches, and beer. (Not in that particular order)
United Kingdom
Member since
Last active: 2 weeks ago
Why should I listen to you?!
Why should I listen to you?!
You are going to buy one out of spite, aren't you?
Why should I listen to you?!
Because it might help you to control your impulsiveness. 😂
You are going to buy one out of spite, aren't you?
Just to prove him wrong …😡
Because it might help you to control your impulsiveness. 😂
Now tell me…”what did you say?!” When your about 2 months behind on the news…
Now tell me…”what did you say?!” When your about 2 months behind on the news…
Oh, nice that you've got all three!
Don't you miss a white dial, for example? That would have tickled my wallet badly.
Oh, nice that you've got all three!
Don't you miss a white dial, for example? That would have tickled my wallet badly.
Not really I have enough watches to tickle my fancies…
Now tell me…”what did you say?!” When your about 2 months behind on the news…
Maybe you would like to interchange the bezel/hands then you can have a modded 5KX GMT. 😃
You are going to buy one out of spite, aren't you?
he buy all of them lol
i got one reason because if you save a little more money you can get an airman
Maybe you would like to interchange the bezel/hands then you can have a modded 5KX GMT. 😃
Hmm…perhaps…
i got one reason because if you save a little more money you can get an airman
Dude saw your Instagram post! you making me wanna try glycine 🍻
Dude saw your Instagram post! you making me wanna try glycine 🍻
i made a review about it on wc last week. if you are in need on another gmt please try glycine airman you wont regret it
Once you’ve worn the watch for a month it could cost $1500 and still be worth it, it’s sooo comfortable and good looking.
I believe it will take the SKX sapphire crystal without issues.
https://youtu.be/DFbNQcFeUf4
I'm more excited about the movement than the watch. I think microbrands are going to provide much better options with this movement
If I buy, I will wait to snag one used and save some cabbage...
do you need a third reason? Buy literally anything else, anything. Pay more for a decent GMT if you need one, or if you must buy a diver buy anything else (except Tudor), or Citizen if it has to be Japanese. Be creative, look leftfield, or even build your own with a kit.
Understandably, the use of cyclops in smaller-diameter watches had a purpose. Nevertheless, in today's larger watches, I think it doesn't. The Seiko 5 GMT would have looked better with a double-domed sapphire crystal instead of the hardlex one with the cyclops.
Once you’ve worn the watch for a month it could cost $1500 and still be worth it, it’s sooo comfortable and good looking.
I like the aesthetics of the Seiko 5. I own an SRPE77K1, and I couldn't be happier for the reasons you mentioned.
However, would I pay over 100% more of its baseline value for a GMT complication? I don't think so.
I'm more excited about the movement than the watch. I think microbrands are going to provide much better options with this movement
This is an interesting point. The movement breaks ground for a myriad of new watches at a price point that maybe we haven't seen before for a GMT.
If I buy, I will wait to snag one used and save some cabbage...
I like the way you think. 👍
Because it might help you to control your impulsiveness. 😂
You do know you're talking to a watch geek, right? ;-)
I too was on the fence about these until i actually handled one. They do look better than the standard Sport 5 models, plus they brought back the jangly jubilee!!
This is an emotional purchase for most I think. My work friend who has been looking for his first mechanical watch, who Ive been trying to convince for months to try a Sport 5 model did not listen to me until these GMTs came out. Why? Looks, and looks alone, like many watch people.
Honestly I can say after handling one I would only change the crystal, nothing else. Its a Seiko with all its good and bad things were used to, including costing a bit more than it should at MSRP. At least their markups are not as huge as some luxury brands out there....yet.
i think the GMT looks great, but i like too modde me watch. And then you save money and get seiko 5. and you save almost 50%. disappointed because the bracelet was scratched on the chrome. but we all change it anyway