IIcohow-wowyp round two! (5/8) Seiko 5 SNKL23 vs. Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical
If I could only have one watch - which one would you chose?
The brand so many are in love in with versus the watch that gathered the most votes in the first round.
Seiko 5 SNKL23 (37mm)
I feel that this one could be more hype than watch. There are so many excellent Seiko 5s that look like a million bucks but this one is the reference that gotten famous for a Hodinkee article. Is it worth the hype? Well it's a Seiko 5, you know what you'll get. But I got to say, at a certain angle, in a certain light, on a certain strap - this is the best looking watch in the world.
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical (38mm)
The essential field watch, it's charm is it's simplicity. No date, no automatic winding, no bracelet, no fuss. I have the older pre Powermatic 80 / H10 version. Instead of classic black, clean white or military green I went with the brown dial variant because I like the combination with the fauxtina markers the best. And while there are lots of things that could be improved - this watch is perfect for what it is.
Which one would you pick?
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As a proud owner of a SNKL43, I must vote for the S. But man you're mercyless !
As a proud owner of a SNKL43, I must vote for the S. But man you're mercyless !
I know! It gets worse and worse
I own a SNKL23 along with other Seiko 5s and I picked it for just over $100, and for that price it really punches above its weight. Not even going to mention about the bracelet. You get a really well finished cased with mixed surface finish and that pinstripes dial though, where can you find like that dial for around that price. I have mine on a jubilee bracelet from Aliexpress and it looks great on it, I switch it up to a black epsom leather when I use it as a dress watch. And this watch looks great on Natos with that long lug design.
I love the Hamilton KF mechanical and history behind its design but I have still not picked one up. With that super legible dial, AR coating is a must...always puts me off when I tried the watch in a store. Waiting for Hamilton to update the model with AR coating and better lume. Then I would definitely pick a 38mm in bronze case. The AR coating needs to be stronger than what they have on their new 38mm murph though, its still useless.
Total tossup here. I guess I'll go Hamilton as it probably has hand winding and hacking and the blasted case won't show scratches as much. Oh wait, I don't want that crown rubbing me and I know the Seiko will fit me fine.
This is hardly an even playing field. The Hamilton is like three times the price of the Seiko. Sure, for $100, the old Seiko 5s were best in class. But the Hamilton has the better movement, build, fit and finish, etc. etc.; it's the better watch, but it had better be at a few hundred more. If I were to pick on? The Hamilton hands down, but it's easy to pick the $300+ watch vs. the $100. And I say "was" because the old Seiko 5s are pretty much done. The 7S movement and watches that contain them were discontinued years ago. At this point any that are still available are new old stock.
This is hardly an even playing field. The Hamilton is like three times the price of the Seiko. Sure, for $100, the old Seiko 5s were best in class. But the Hamilton has the better movement, build, fit and finish, etc. etc.; it's the better watch, but it had better be at a few hundred more. If I were to pick on? The Hamilton hands down, but it's easy to pick the $300+ watch vs. the $100. And I say "was" because the old Seiko 5s are pretty much done. The 7S movement and watches that contain them were discontinued years ago. At this point any that are still available are new old stock.
This thing is not about comparing watches to buy, it's just about my watches and which one would be my "one watch collection".
As I already have them all for the purpose of this competition they all are free, so price doesn't matter.
Total tossup here. I guess I'll go Hamilton as it probably has hand winding and hacking and the blasted case won't show scratches as much. Oh wait, I don't want that crown rubbing me and I know the Seiko will fit me fine.
The KFM is the only watch where I've accidentally pulled out the crown multiple time. My wrist-watch-architecture with this one on seems to get caught on things often.
That would never happen with the Seiko 5 👌
This thing is not about comparing watches to buy, it's just about my watches and which one would be my "one watch collection".
As I already have them all for the purpose of this competition they all are free, so price doesn't matter.
If both are free, it makes the comparison even more lopsided. To be frank, you'd be a fool to choose the Seiko for your one watch. The only thing it has going for it in this matchup is its ultra low price and value for money. I have every respect for the Seiko for what it is, and am sorry they're gone, but here there's no contest.
Hamilton as I have one but I do still love that Seiko 5!
The Hamilton aesthetic really doesn't speak to me. So, voted for the SNKL23 because of its matching black date window and white border. 🍻
Mood for Seiko. Feeling a bit colder to Hamilton with years.
Mood for Seiko. Feeling a bit colder to Hamilton with years.
It comes and goes for me. There are phases when I love the simplicity of the Hamilton but also times when it feels Meh.
This is a difficult one for sure. I own the SNKL23 and love it.
I think I would pick the SNKL23 for the value and its ability to be dressed up and down. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a classic Khaki Field but I feel like the SNKL23 is a little more dynamic if you were just starting out and needed a one-watch-collection piece.