I keep telling people that 37mm is not small. Wasn't too long ago when pretty much all men's watches were 34 to 37 millimetres. We can't always wear big G-Shocks and Submariners. Once you've worn a watch this size, it's hard to go back to having a big chunk on your wrist. These are just so comfortable.
Couldn't agree more. I have a few affordable vintage watches (one is a beautiful Seiko from 1967) and we're talking about sizes just a couple of millimeters over 30 mm. They look great once you get used to it. Ok, I have tiny wrists, so the SNK80* series suits me perfect (and I love my 809). But when you watch this video, and this guy has rather big wrists (something I've also noticed in his other videos) a 37 mm watch looks perfectly fine. Then again, talking about Seiko, they are actually great with designing some of their bigger watches with really short lugs. I'd never thought I would be able to wear a big watch like the Seiko Flightmaster, but it works fine due to the very short lug to lug size.
I have a watches that are quite large and watches that are small. Pointless debate. Wear what you like and what feels good. This watch is a bit small for my taste and imo opinion, it looks quite small in the video.. but again that is my opinion and it doesn't make it gospel.. although my favorite size for a wristwatch is 44mm. Anything over a 44mm seems a bit out of place for me unless you're a big dude.
I’ve been collecting watches for a while. I have much more expensive pieces but since I’ve bought this a month ago it has quickly become one of my most used watches. I love it. Ps. I got the green version
Hey, nice video. I'm just catching this in Feb. 2019 and I see that you've crossed over the 1k mark. Congrats. For me, I've been collecting (more like accumulating) watches for maybe 15 yrs....in the moderate range. Currently have 44, incl. 9 mechanicals (Timex, Orient Bambino series, Seiko). Other brands include Rotary, Technomarine, Bulova, Citizen, Swatch, Skagen, Steinhausen, Invicta, Bering, Mondaine, Casio, Guanqin. Am waiting anxiously for my first Junkers and Certina watches to join the collection. Should arrive in the next couple of weeks. Keep up the good work. Btw, my first mechanical was this 809 too.
This watch has gone up in price since then. Some people say they bought it at around $60 to $70 a couple of years ago, now in Amazon it's at $99 or $106 depending on the color!
Was my first automatic too. I love it, still wear it. I switched the band to the IWC big pilot style leather band and it just elevated the watch to the max.
My first and only automatic watch is a Stowa Flieger, bought it about 7 or 8 years ago, love it. Figure it's around $1000 when I bought it. A few days ago, I ordered one of these. I know it's small, but for the price, can't go wrong.
Found your review today after I had a moment where I was thinking what right does this watch even have to be so good at such a price point. The font matching on the date and minute track alone is praiseworthy. I bought it to tear down for parts but now I don’t know if I have the heart. I don’t see myself as a snob or anything, but really the value here is unreal. In any case, nice video dude.
Good review. There is a a hack for the second hand hacking which I discovered on my SNK807. Just set the time forward about 5 minutes then set it back and the second hand will stop.
It's funny how I purchased this watch a few hours ago (green dial) and your video came up! This Seiko reminds me of the type B? Flieger watches with the triangle at 12. I also enjoyed your Citizen Nighthawk video as I own one as well, it has been and still is a rad watch for traveling. Love your content and I definitely subscribed.
I picked up the 807 in blue and after 6 months of constant use I got the 803 in beige. I get compliments on both watches. The size is a non issue for me. I bought multiple straps from Barton and really mix up the looks. I've liked watches for 60 years. Born in Waterbury Ct...... Home of Timex....
Seiko Orange Monster first gen! Purchased it for the loom first and then fell in love with the mechanicals from that point after! Thank you for sharing!
I've bought a couple of Seiko 5's. They don't keep great time, unless you get lucky and receive one that is well regulated straight out of the box. I'm planning a trip to a watchmaker to have mine regulated. I find it a bit unfortunate that these SNK80x watches only have 30m water resistance because when I go into the field to go fly fishing a fall into the river is always on the cards (so I take my G-Shock instead).
Great review. My first automatic watch was a Seiko "Samurai". Love it. Then I got the Seiko "Monster" then the Seiko "Alpinist". I've turned into a Seiko fanboy (SMH). But I'm going to get a Glycine next. Maybe a Combat sub or a Khaki.
I have both the 809 and 803. For me it's the best everyday watch. Slips under the cuff, never rubs the back of your hand, has a date complication and keeps good time when properly regulated. Barton makes quick release straps so you can mix and match. The cream looks great with brown or a green NATO. I have an 8" wrist and I'm man enough to wear it.
Excellent video! Well produced and executed. Also good info on the watch. I’ve just started collecting watches and like you, I’m on a budget. Im considering an automatic for the same reasons you have elucidated, and this Seiko 5 is very highly recommended by many horologists. None of the other videos of this watch that I have seen mentioned the glow going away so quickly. This is good to know, and though it probably won’t keep me from buying the watch, it would be an unpleasant surprise to find out afterward. Thanks for a good job!
I really appreciate the idea behind your collection. I have always liked watch’s and started my very modest collection two years ago. You my friend have a subscriber for life. Don’t change!
This was my first auto watch. This entry level Seiko is light years ahead of the more classic pieces from 20 years back. The functioal value is explosive compared to a thousand dollar or greater auto. 7S26 has been proven for over 20 years. A durable watch. SPORT.
I still wear my 803 given as a gift a year-and-a-half ago. It's my favorite and most comfortable watch. (Worn every day a part of my EDC) And the conservative size is attractive to me
Picked it in the last day of November and it's lovely. The practicality of field and fliegers with a touch of civil style in the form of colour, day and date. Looking forward to test other types of straps.
Hi Dave. I just found this looking for something else. I have this exact model and colour on order from Singapore at the moment. I think that it's even better looking than the newer iteration of field/military watches issued by Seiko recently. I wanted this colour because of the resonance with sand and the desert. I could imagine Rommel and Montgomery having one each to coordinate tank battles in North Africa. My first mechanical watch was a Buler hand wound I bought in 1968. The next mechanical one I bought was when I was 30 years old in 1984, which was a Seiko 5, and was probably Japanese made because of it's English and Arabic day feature. Having lost it, I've bought the exact model since and it works well, keeps time, and honestly isn't worth the cost of Seiko's service charges. They run forever like Honda engines. In the meantime I used a Casio but had a yearning for an automatic. Great review and it shows how your hard work is paying off with subscribers. Must order that t shirt. Love from England. 🙋🏽♂️👍
My second automatic watch to be honest (black dial) :) ... got rid of the strap right away and replaced it for a Barton olive green canvas one... the ultimate field watch !
I’m maybe becoming a watch collector... lol. I appreciate the review of the cream... I wondered with the odd white background in pictures, so a real life setting really helped me make up my mind... getting it.
As a very new subscriber to your Channel, I am really enjoying the content of your videos. Job well done! I have a very small, 2 watch collection. Up until a month ago, my collection consisted of a Citizen AT Eco Drive, Chrono, Perpetual Quartz watch which I really like and have come to appreciate its accuracy and the various complications including day, date, 24 hour clock, alarm, power reserve indicator, atomic timekeeping, etc. Over time, I started to develop an interest in watches and wanted to acquire an automatic mechanical movement watch. After doing some research I decided on the Orient Blue Ray 11, for a number of reasons including the ability to hand wind the watch and its hacking feature. After a month, I do enjoy and like the Orient Blue Ray 11. As I’ve learned a bit about watches, I have come to understand that many watch enthusiasts, (purists), sort of look down upon a quartz movement watch. I find this odd even though I totally understand the appreciation for the beauty of a mechanical movement watch. After watching only 3 or 4 of your videos I come away with the sense that you like quartz watches as well as automatic mechanical movement timepieces. Anyway, I’m glad I stumbled across your Channel and look forward to learning while watching more of your videos. Thanks for all the effort put into the production of your videos...Ed
I got mine in black and yes, it's also my first automatic! I loved how solid the watch was when I first got it almost 2 years ago. However, a few months back it started to gain like 30 mins every hour (for lack of a better explanation) and I tried to get it fixed but it would have cost me almost the same price as getting a totally new one. That kind of put me off autos, so now I'm going quartz. Someday I'll get my SNK809 fixed, but that seems like somewhere in the distant future.
Nice video but just a correction... It's not the balance wheel that winds it, it's the weighted rotor that winds the mainspring which transmits power to the gear train to the balance wheel which is the regulator of the power together with the escapement.
I send my 500$ broken SARB033 to a crazy watchmaker 10 months ago, and he still not have repaired it... I just buyed this one because I miss an automatic, and I absolutely fall in love with it, the creamy aspect, and the classy detailed dial
Just got one of these myself and I feel the size is perfect and I am a bigger guy. I like more understated watches that do not dominate my wrist. If I wanted to look like Flavor Flav I would get an Invicta :-)
Anthony Miller hey now the Invicta pro divers are 40mm which in my opinion is a great size. Also a great watch I have one. But Invicta does have some insanely huge pieces that look just ridiculous.
Coming to this video pretty late, but I wanted to say that I just got my SNK from eBay and I love it. Yes there are some trade offs. Not having hand winding is a bit of a drag, but nothing that would have stopped me from getting the piece. I chose this one because I wanted a traditional field watch which tends to be 37 or 38 mm. I know that things have changed and that the model Seiko replaced this watch with is 40 mm, but that was not the look I was going for. I love the cream color face and strap. I have a Citizens field watch (BM8180-03E) with the traditional black dial and OD green strap, so I wanted something from Seiko that was similar, but different enough to make it distinct in my case. The SNK does that very well. Thanks for the video. Best.
Aight , i bought this watch and before buying it i watched this video , the only thing i think our friend is wrong is the lume , when you put light on it , it being very shiny for a short duration like 5,6 minutes and started losing brightnes but when the brightness is low (which is very fine when youre in dark room or something...) , it lasts long and not losing lume light fast as he said in video
I've been mulling over this one but I'm still trying to decide how 'white' it looks. It's a different shade in every photograph I see. I like the idea of desert tactical and would probably change to the band to a darker khaki NATO. Everyone seems happy with the quality and price of these Seiko 5s though and I've had nothing but good luck with them. I've always lost or destroyed them long before they gave up the ghost on their own.
I don’t really get why people think it’s too small. I think it looks fine on your wrist. I’ve never really thought someone looked odd with a small watch but I often think people look weird with a giant one on their wrist.
I just got the blue one. I really like the 4 o'clock crown and how small / recessed the crown is. It makes it very comfortable to wear. I've had larger watches with a bigger 3:00 crown dig into my hand when bending my wrist back.
Wonderful watch and especially this one, its color is attractive, I bought it in Tokyo and if it is a problem to get the beige band because it easily stains. And Seiko does not supply it.
The size is fine and looks good on your wrist. It is elegant. Sometimes I wear the ORD watch my dad wore into combat in WWII. It’s 32mm. Like him, I have a fairly large wrist. That particular watch was made to slip under his cuff and not catch on gear. Besides big watches are, at times, quite comical.
It's my first automatic watch & I love it, love the simple look, love the creamy colour, love how it makes my wrist looked pretty, but it slides of easily from my wrist.. Well, it just my wrist is quite small & every watches I've tried slide of easily of my wrist, lol
I think the 809 and 803 would both look stellar on a vintage style leather strap with brass hardware. I’m not sold on the blue and green dial variants.
Great video! The shaking of the watch is referred to as the “Seiko Shuffle” :-) Love your modesty; although I own 3 Omega watches and a Seiko I’m always on the hunt for more expensive watches somehow! Never satisfied 😬 haha! All the best and keep up the videos; I’m sure you’ll get more automatics; you get more of a connection with them instead of battery powered quartz movements!
I have all 4 colors coming. Will be my first mechanical watch. Also have a bunch of straps on the way. I also have a 7.5" wrist, so I hope it does not look too small. I would get the new watch that is the replacement for the SNK, but the original dials are ugly, but now they come out with versions which mimic the awesome SNK dials. I don't understand why the new Seiko field watches don't have the crown at 4:00. This is a Seiko 5 trademark, and I think big crowns sticking out at 3:00 are ugly.
I know it's basically true for any watch, still this one is famous for changing its personality drastically by A) Polishing-up the brushed bezel and B) replace the factory strap with a decent leather one. Most liked are from light-medium rust tone to medium brown leather straps. For those who are more involved, will also C) replace the factory hardlex crystal with a double dome green toned AR coated sapphire one, which are readily available for about $ 50-60. At the end of this process, the watch will beat hands down in look as well as refinement Swiss made Hamilton khaki and similar brands costing 5 to 10 times more.
Oddly this is one of my favorite watches. I love the dial and the case finish. It'd be perfect if it is just say 2mm larger....Great review keep filming and build your channel.
Thanks, and I agree, 2 or 3mm larger and I think this would be perfect. I'd be a little tempted to try the SNZG15J1, but I like the dial on this one better.
Just the Watch I have had snzg15j1 (my first automatic)… left the crown in open position and water get in while swimming… so I broke it and did not get it to service in time… after 3 years of use it started to get 3-4 min. in advance (for about a week). I compared snk803 and snzg15j1 right in store and bought snzg15, for me that size was perfect and snk803 looks like a ladies watch when you put them side by side… still thinking about nighthawk vs seiko for new (quartz) watch…
I really enjoy looking at this watch, that sort of classic dial and size. Still I haven't decided myself on buying it, because my wrists are a bit large for it, I think. Which is one my sorrows when it comes to watches, because I would love to own of these.
I have always had watches with me, but when I decided become more serious about watch-collecting, I started off with a Seiko SNK809 which is the black one, but after seeing your review, I am thinking that I should have got the 803.
Another mechanical that is excellent value for the money is the vostok. Russian made usually under $50 for the kommanderski or $70 for the amphibia diver. Extremely durable made for and used by the russian armed forces. Extremely moddable. The history of this horological wonder is amazing. As an american i dont always trust the ruskys technology but this one they really got right. The watchs have some technological innovations that make a lot of swiss watches look like old tech. For example the back case uses a ring to tighten the gasket with no lateral shear force for a better seal. Most watches, even the expensive ones seal basically like a jelly jar lid... The vistok has an articulated crown and stem to protect the movement from outside jarring. The lucite (plastic) crystal although looks and us cheap actually is better fir sealing the watch at greater depths because it flattens out with more pressure put on it. One thing though, if you get the bracelet, plan on losing a lot of arm hair. It has got to be the worst ive ever seen. Fortunately the watches look great with just about any other strap or bracelet aftermarket. The lug sizes are 18 and 22 so no oddball sizes. Modding is easy with a plethora of parts avaliable and usually very inexpensive, like a signed crown replacement on ebay for under $10 They have what i call bohemian chic. You can thumb your nose at the guy wearing the breightling or rolex just for fun. You can pretend to be proletarian to impress yur capitalistic pig friends...jk I have expensive pieces in my collection but no collection is complete without a vostok. I have guven many as gifts, sometimes to quizzacle looks by the receiver. Usually a couple weeks later they call and tell me how fabulous it is. Great feeling
I just got a Komandirskie for Christmas from my Mom. I had been debating picking up mechanical (vostok or Seiko 5) for some time but but never followed through. I had kind of forgot about watches all together for the most part haha. After wearing this for a few days though I think I'm ready to pick up an Amphibia and an SNK.. lol
You sold me. I get a sense of euphoria looking at the blond face and the blond fabric band. Kind of weird, never had that kind of a reaction from an inanimate object.
You haven’t got to spend a fortune to have some nice watches, cos it costs lots and lots doesn’t mean it’s any better than a cheaper one ,,, thanks Shane uk 🇬🇧
to me this watch looks very good on your wrist. I've seen most of your videos ( watches) and most of them look out of place.. personal opinion..thanks for the content
This is a really nice watch. It shouldn’t be your only automatic watch though. There are other very nice mechanical watches out there at a really reasonable price point. I would highly recommend you add other mechanicals as they will actually last longer then a quartz. At some point a circuit will break while in a mechanical it can be serviced and rebuilt.
Question: I got a SNK809 delivered from Amazon three days ago. I set the time, day (English), and date carefully per the instructions and I was careful not to set it during the time of day you aren’t supposed to. So far it keeps great time. HOWEVER, the next day at noon the day was in Spanish and still the prior day and the date was still the prior day also. When I got home from work yesterday I set the watch again per the instructions. Today at work the day and date did not read correct until 1:30 pm and at around 4pm the day was then in Spanish. Is this normal??
Sorry, for somereason this comment got flagged as spam and I didn't notice it till today. It sounds like you've got your AM and PM mixed up. Try this: set the day and date for to yesterday. Now adjust the time forward until the day and date completely switches over to today's date. Once you see the day and date start flipping over you know you're in AM. The day and date should completely flip to the current date by the time you rotate to 4AM. Keep going until the time reads the current time.
@Just the Watch Recently I got completely new snk803k2 on Aliexpress at $ 108. It still has an 7S26C inside production and date is 12 feb 2021, but how it can be? 7s26 was discontinued years ago... Was it refubrished or what?
Been considering this instead of the black one since it's out of stock. Great review man! Love it! I have smaller wrist, and I have timex with 40 mm that looks really gorgeous on my small wrist. I have 44 mm fossil that just too much for me.
I can't make a choice whether to buy beige,blue, green or black. (In my collection, I alrdy have black dress watch, navy casual sport chronograph, stainless steel digital Casio a700w).. I like that green, but beige will complete my watch color collection, but blue or black will (maybe) fit with my daily outfit
My two cents: These days, with pie plate sized fashion designer watches all the rage. it's easier to wind up with a watch that is too big than too small. I would argue that a watch whose diameter was less than half the width of the wearer's wrist was too small. The Seiko in question is not too small on the vlogger's wrist. As for too big, the tips of a watch's lugs should probably not overhang the wearer's wrist. Short of that I would consider the watch acceptably sized.
iaxable I'm wearing mine right now! Just put a new strap on it and like it much more. I posted a short video reviewing the new strap as well if you're interested.
Hey Bradley! Yeah, I was exaggerating a bit for the video, I'm usually a little gentler. Mine seems to take from between midnight and 2AM to completely roll over both the day and date to the next one, but since i'm usually asleep then (hopefully) I don't notice. As far as setting the date during those hours, I read somewhere that you shouldn't so I haven't tried. Just to be safe I always move the time to the middle of the day before setting the date, then correcting the time after.
I keep telling people that 37mm is not small. Wasn't too long ago when pretty much all men's watches were 34 to 37 millimetres.
We can't always wear big G-Shocks and Submariners.
Once you've worn a watch this size, it's hard to go back to having a big chunk on your wrist.
These are just so comfortable.
Couldn't agree more. I have a few affordable vintage watches (one is a beautiful Seiko from 1967) and we're talking about sizes just a couple of millimeters over 30 mm. They look great once you get used to it. Ok, I have tiny wrists, so the SNK80* series suits me perfect (and I love my 809). But when you watch this video, and this guy has rather big wrists (something I've also noticed in his other videos) a 37 mm watch looks perfectly fine.
Then again, talking about Seiko, they are actually great with designing some of their bigger watches with really short lugs. I'd never thought I would be able to wear a big watch like the Seiko Flightmaster, but it works fine due to the very short lug to lug size.
In my case, it was. My wrist is 7 inches in circumference, thankfully I bought it as a gift.
It looked okay but still disproportionately small to my wide hands. Or maybe I’m just not used to it. Used to wearing 41mm’s.
I have a watches that are quite large and watches that are small. Pointless debate. Wear what you like and what feels good. This watch is a bit small for my taste and imo opinion, it looks quite small in the video.. but again that is my opinion and it doesn't make it gospel.. although my favorite size for a wristwatch is 44mm. Anything over a 44mm seems a bit out of place for me unless you're a big dude.
Small watches are definitely coming back, even for bigger wrists!!
Fox Mulder is always on time.
Has anyone seen fox mulder’s sister
I want to believe this
I’ve been collecting watches for a while. I have much more expensive pieces but since I’ve bought this a month ago it has quickly become one of my most used watches. I love it.
Ps. I got the green version
Mine in blue.. i do agree with you. Shes beauty
749 subscribers? This man deserves one hundred thousand of subscriber.....👍👍👍👍 thumbs up!!!!
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'll be pretty stoked when I hit 1,000.
Hey, nice video. I'm just catching this in Feb. 2019 and I see that you've crossed over the 1k mark. Congrats. For me, I've been collecting (more like accumulating) watches for maybe 15 yrs....in the moderate range. Currently have 44, incl. 9 mechanicals (Timex, Orient Bambino series, Seiko). Other brands include Rotary, Technomarine, Bulova, Citizen, Swatch, Skagen, Steinhausen, Invicta, Bering, Mondaine, Casio, Guanqin. Am waiting anxiously for my first Junkers and Certina watches to join the collection. Should arrive in the next couple of weeks. Keep up the good work. Btw, my first mechanical was this 809 too.
Just the Watch now you broke 14k. Congrats
He is at 28k now! 😊😊
@@JusttheWatch almost 34k now!
This watch has gone up in price since then. Some people say they bought it at around $60 to $70 a couple of years ago, now in Amazon it's at $99 or $106 depending on the color!
... and two years later it is $130-$165.
Was my first automatic too. I love it, still wear it. I switched the band to the IWC big pilot style leather band and it just elevated the watch to the max.
Can you give the link of the band pls?
My first and only automatic watch is a Stowa Flieger, bought it about 7 or 8 years ago, love it. Figure it's around $1000 when I bought it. A few days ago, I ordered one of these. I know it's small, but for the price, can't go wrong.
Found your review today after I had a moment where I was thinking what right does this watch even have to be so good at such a price point. The font matching on the date and minute track alone is praiseworthy. I bought it to tear down for parts but now I don’t know if I have the heart. I don’t see myself as a snob or anything, but really the value here is unreal. In any case, nice video dude.
Watching this aug 2022, you the same person now as you were back then. Great job.
I really like the look. Perfect casual summer watch.
My first mechanical watch was Orient 3 Star FAB00007W9, I absolutely love it.
Good review. There is a a hack for the second hand hacking which I discovered on my SNK807. Just set the time forward about 5 minutes then set it back and the second hand will stop.
It is going to be my first automatic watch (SNK809 of course)
My SNK805 is my second automatic and my favorite timepiece.
It's funny how I purchased this watch a few hours ago (green dial) and your video came up! This Seiko reminds me of the type B? Flieger watches with the triangle at 12. I also enjoyed your Citizen Nighthawk video as I own one as well, it has been and still is a rad watch for traveling. Love your content and I definitely subscribed.
I picked up the 807 in blue and after 6 months of constant use I got the 803 in beige. I get compliments on both watches. The size is a non issue for me. I bought multiple straps from Barton and really mix up the looks. I've liked watches for 60 years. Born in Waterbury Ct...... Home of Timex....
Seiko Orange Monster first gen! Purchased it for the loom first and then fell in love with the mechanicals from that point after! Thank you for sharing!
I've bought a couple of Seiko 5's. They don't keep great time, unless you get lucky and receive one that is well regulated straight out of the box. I'm planning a trip to a watchmaker to have mine regulated. I find it a bit unfortunate that these SNK80x watches only have 30m water resistance because when I go into the field to go fly fishing a fall into the river is always on the cards (so I take my G-Shock instead).
my first watch ever. this cream dial with james bond nato strap is absolutely fire
Great review. My first automatic watch was a Seiko "Samurai". Love it. Then I got the Seiko "Monster" then the Seiko "Alpinist". I've turned into a Seiko fanboy (SMH). But I'm going to get a Glycine next. Maybe a Combat sub or a Khaki.
Seiko Snk805k2, 6 years and still work 👌
I have both the 809 and 803. For me it's the best everyday watch. Slips under the cuff, never rubs the back of your hand, has a date complication and keeps good time when properly regulated. Barton makes quick release straps so you can mix and match. The cream looks great with brown or a green NATO. I have an 8" wrist and I'm man enough to wear it.
Excellent video! Well produced and executed. Also good info on the watch. I’ve just started collecting watches and like you, I’m on a budget. Im considering an automatic for the same reasons you have elucidated, and this Seiko 5 is very highly recommended by many horologists. None of the other videos of this watch that I have seen mentioned the glow going away so quickly. This is good to know, and though it probably won’t keep me from buying the watch, it would be an unpleasant surprise to find out afterward. Thanks for a good job!
It's hard to beat for your first automatic in that price range.
I really appreciate the idea behind your collection. I have always liked watch’s and started my very
modest collection two years ago. You my friend have a subscriber for life. Don’t change!
Thanks man! I'll try not to let success get to my head and start buying Rolexes...
This was my first auto watch. This entry level Seiko is light years ahead of the more classic pieces from 20 years back. The functioal value is explosive compared to a thousand dollar or greater auto. 7S26 has been proven for over 20 years. A durable watch. SPORT.
This is the Seiko 5 SNK803 of watch reviews. Well done.
I still wear my 803 given as a gift a year-and-a-half ago. It's my favorite and most comfortable watch. (Worn every day a part of my EDC) And the conservative size is attractive to me
Picked it in the last day of November and it's lovely. The practicality of field and fliegers with a touch of civil style in the form of colour, day and date. Looking forward to test other types of straps.
Beautiful watch and beautifully shot video! The SNK809 is actually my first and only automatic watch as well.
Thanks! I really like it too. I made another short video of just shots of the watch if you're interested: ruclips.net/video/PvGxgWmxzrs/видео.html
Just the Watch Just finished watching that video! It really does justice to the beauty of the watch, loved it.
I think it’s the eyes but you look like Fox Mulder from X-Files. Thanks for the watch review!
Hi Dave. I just found this looking for something else. I have this exact model and colour on order from Singapore at the moment. I think that it's even better looking than the newer iteration of field/military watches issued by Seiko recently. I wanted this colour because of the resonance with sand and the desert. I could imagine Rommel and Montgomery having one each to coordinate tank battles in North Africa. My first mechanical watch was a Buler hand wound I bought in 1968. The next mechanical one I bought was when I was 30 years old in 1984, which was a Seiko 5, and was probably Japanese made because of it's English and Arabic day feature. Having lost it, I've bought the exact model since and it works well, keeps time, and honestly isn't worth the cost of Seiko's service charges. They run forever like Honda engines. In the meantime I used a Casio but had a yearning for an automatic. Great review and it shows how your hard work is paying off with subscribers. Must order that t shirt. Love from England. 🙋🏽♂️👍
Thanks Mark!
Nice watch mine arrives this weekend.
My first automatic was a Seiko Prospex Pepsi bezael which I also like very much.
My second automatic watch to be honest (black dial) :) ... got rid of the strap right away and replaced it for a Barton olive green canvas one... the ultimate field watch !
I’m maybe becoming a watch collector... lol. I appreciate the review of the cream... I wondered with the odd white background in pictures, so a real life setting really helped me make up my mind... getting it.
just got this one ,love it changed the band though with an brown leather one.looks classier now,want to get the black dial one next.
Wish i got the cream dial, discovered that black dials aren't my thing, at least it wasn't too expensive.
looks really nice... already on my list. My first (and only so far) automatic is my SKX007. Love that watch
As a very new subscriber to your Channel, I am really enjoying the content of your videos. Job well done! I have a very small, 2 watch collection. Up until a month ago, my collection consisted of a Citizen AT Eco Drive, Chrono, Perpetual Quartz watch which I really like and have come to appreciate its accuracy and the various complications including day, date, 24 hour clock, alarm, power reserve indicator, atomic timekeeping, etc. Over time, I started to develop an interest in watches and wanted to acquire an automatic mechanical movement watch. After doing some research I decided on the Orient Blue Ray 11, for a number of reasons including the ability to hand wind the watch and its hacking feature. After a month, I do enjoy and like the Orient Blue Ray 11. As I’ve learned a bit about watches, I have come to understand that many watch enthusiasts, (purists), sort of look down upon a quartz movement watch. I find this odd even though I totally understand the appreciation for the beauty of a mechanical movement watch. After watching only 3 or 4 of your videos I come away with the sense that you like quartz watches as well as automatic mechanical movement timepieces. Anyway, I’m glad I stumbled across your Channel and look forward to learning while watching more of your videos. Thanks for all the effort put into the production of your videos...Ed
I got mine in black and yes, it's also my first automatic! I loved how solid the watch was when I first got it almost 2 years ago. However, a few months back it started to gain like 30 mins every hour (for lack of a better explanation) and I tried to get it fixed but it would have cost me almost the same price as getting a totally new one. That kind of put me off autos, so now I'm going quartz. Someday I'll get my SNK809 fixed, but that seems like somewhere in the distant future.
Nice video but just a correction...
It's not the balance wheel that winds it, it's the weighted rotor that winds the mainspring which transmits power to the gear train to the balance wheel which is the regulator of the power together with the escapement.
Thanks for the correction, still got a lot to learn about mechanical movements!
Just the Watch mechanical watches are not that hard to study. It depends if you are interested to learn about mechanical movements.
I send my 500$ broken SARB033 to a crazy watchmaker 10 months ago, and he still not have repaired it... I just buyed this one because I miss an automatic, and I absolutely fall in love with it, the creamy aspect, and the classy detailed dial
10 months? Go take your watch back, if the watchmaker is even still around.
I replaced the band with a leather one and it greatly improved the look of this watch. This watch offers a lot of value and quality for a under $100.
What color?
@@adrianmark613 Honey brown leather.
Just got one of these myself and I feel the size is perfect and I am a bigger guy. I like more understated watches that do not dominate my wrist. If I wanted to look like Flavor Flav I would get an Invicta :-)
Anthony Miller hey now the Invicta pro divers are 40mm which in my opinion is a great size. Also a great watch I have one. But Invicta does have some insanely huge pieces that look just ridiculous.
Coming to this video pretty late, but I wanted to say that I just got my SNK from eBay and I love it. Yes there are some trade offs. Not having hand winding is a bit of a drag, but nothing that would have stopped me from getting the piece. I chose this one because I wanted a traditional field watch which tends to be 37 or 38 mm. I know that things have changed and that the model Seiko replaced this watch with is 40 mm, but that was not the look I was going for. I love the cream color face and strap. I have a Citizens field watch (BM8180-03E) with the traditional black dial and OD green strap, so I wanted something from Seiko that was similar, but different enough to make it distinct in my case. The SNK does that very well. Thanks for the video. Best.
I put mine on a watchwinder at night.Going on about a year and have never touched it.
Aight , i bought this watch and before buying it i watched this video , the only thing i think our friend is wrong is the lume , when you put light on it , it being very shiny for a short duration like 5,6 minutes and started losing brightnes but when the brightness is low (which is very fine when youre in dark room or something...) , it lasts long and not losing lume light fast as he said in video
I've been mulling over this one but I'm still trying to decide how 'white' it looks. It's a different shade in every photograph I see. I like the idea of desert tactical and would probably change to the band to a darker khaki NATO. Everyone seems happy with the quality and price of these Seiko 5s though and I've had nothing but good luck with them. I've always lost or destroyed them long before they gave up the ghost on their own.
I had same model as my first automatic. Changed leather strap to it and it's still one of my favourite watches. Next to my Seiko turtle.
I recently changed the strap to a leather one too! Like it much better, looks a lot classier and just fits the look perfectly I think.
I don’t really get why people think it’s too small. I think it looks fine on your wrist. I’ve never really thought someone looked odd with a small watch but I often think people look weird with a giant one on their wrist.
I just got the blue one. I really like the 4 o'clock crown and how small / recessed the crown is. It makes it very comfortable to wear. I've had larger watches with a bigger 3:00 crown dig into my hand when bending my wrist back.
Thanks Kylo Ren!!👍 Good video!
Wonderful watch and especially this one, its color is attractive, I bought it in Tokyo and if it is a problem to get the beige band because it easily stains. And Seiko does not supply it.
The size is fine and looks good on your wrist. It is elegant.
Sometimes I wear the ORD watch my dad wore into combat in WWII. It’s 32mm. Like him, I have a fairly large wrist. That particular watch was made to slip under his cuff and not catch on gear. Besides big watches are, at times, quite comical.
It's my first automatic watch & I love it, love the simple look, love the creamy colour, love how it makes my wrist looked pretty, but it slides of easily from my wrist.. Well, it just my wrist is quite small & every watches I've tried slide of easily of my wrist, lol
I think the 809 and 803 would both look stellar on a vintage style leather strap with brass hardware. I’m not sold on the blue and green dial variants.
I may have to disagree. My first automatic watch was a classic blue Vostok Scubadude, and I love it.
Great video!
The shaking of the watch is referred to as the “Seiko Shuffle” :-)
Love your modesty; although I own 3 Omega watches and a Seiko I’m always on the hunt for more expensive watches somehow!
Never satisfied 😬 haha!
All the best and keep up the videos; I’m sure you’ll get more automatics; you get more of a connection with them instead of battery powered quartz movements!
I have all 4 colors coming. Will be my first mechanical watch. Also have a bunch of straps on the way. I also have a 7.5" wrist, so I hope it does not look too small. I would get the new watch that is the replacement for the SNK, but the original dials are ugly, but now they come out with versions which mimic the awesome SNK dials. I don't understand why the new Seiko field watches don't have the crown at 4:00. This is a Seiko 5 trademark, and I think big crowns sticking out at 3:00 are ugly.
I know it's basically true for any watch, still this one is famous for changing its personality drastically by A) Polishing-up the brushed bezel and B) replace the factory strap with a decent leather one. Most liked are from light-medium rust tone to medium brown leather straps. For those who are more involved, will also C) replace the factory hardlex crystal with a double dome green toned AR coated sapphire one, which are readily available for about $ 50-60. At the end of this process, the watch will beat hands down in look as well as refinement Swiss made Hamilton khaki and similar brands costing 5 to 10 times more.
Oddly this is one of my favorite watches. I love the dial and the case finish. It'd be perfect if it is just say 2mm larger....Great review keep filming and build your channel.
Thanks, and I agree, 2 or 3mm larger and I think this would be perfect. I'd be a little tempted to try the SNZG15J1, but I like the dial on this one better.
Just the Watch I have had snzg15j1 (my first automatic)… left the crown in open position and water get in while swimming… so I broke it and did not get it to service in time… after 3 years of use it started to get 3-4 min. in advance (for about a week). I compared snk803 and snzg15j1 right in store and bought snzg15, for me that size was perfect and snk803 looks like a ladies watch when you put them side by side…
still thinking about nighthawk vs seiko for new (quartz) watch…
These are indeed excellent. I got the big brother...the Snzg07J1. It fits my 8.5” wrist better.
I really enjoy looking at this watch, that sort of classic dial and size. Still I haven't decided myself on buying it, because my wrists are a bit large for it, I think. Which is one my sorrows when it comes to watches, because I would love to own of these.
I’d buy this just to see the back. The mechanics look so cool.
That was one of the main draws for me as well! You can see them more closely on this other video I made: ruclips.net/video/PvGxgWmxzrs/видео.html
I like the way the cream looks better but I think ima get the black 803 because it will match my wardrobe better
I have always had watches with me, but when I decided become more serious about watch-collecting, I started off with a Seiko SNK809 which is the black one, but after seeing your review, I am thinking that I should have got the 803.
My first is the SKX. But I seriously want one of the SNK’s now. I’m thinking blue or beige maybe with a NATO strap.
Another mechanical that is excellent value for the money is the vostok. Russian made usually under $50 for the kommanderski or $70 for the amphibia diver. Extremely durable made for and used by the russian armed forces.
Extremely moddable. The history of this horological wonder is amazing.
As an american i dont always trust the ruskys technology but this one they really got right.
The watchs have some technological innovations that make a lot of swiss watches look like old tech.
For example the back case uses a ring to tighten the gasket with no lateral shear force for a better seal.
Most watches, even the expensive ones seal basically like a jelly jar lid...
The vistok has an articulated crown and stem to protect the movement from outside jarring.
The lucite (plastic) crystal although looks and us cheap actually is better fir sealing the watch at greater depths because it flattens out with more pressure put on it.
One thing though, if you get the bracelet, plan on losing a lot of arm hair. It has got to be the worst ive ever seen. Fortunately the watches look great with just about any other strap or bracelet aftermarket.
The lug sizes are 18 and 22 so no oddball sizes.
Modding is easy with a plethora of parts avaliable and usually very inexpensive, like a signed crown replacement on ebay for under $10
They have what i call bohemian chic. You can thumb your nose at the guy wearing the breightling or rolex just for fun. You can pretend to be proletarian to impress yur capitalistic pig friends...jk
I have expensive pieces in my collection but no collection is complete without a vostok.
I have guven many as gifts, sometimes to quizzacle looks by the receiver. Usually a couple weeks later they call and tell me how fabulous it is. Great feeling
I just got a Komandirskie for Christmas from my Mom. I had been debating picking up mechanical (vostok or Seiko 5) for some time but but never followed through. I had kind of forgot about watches all together for the most part haha. After wearing this for a few days though I think I'm ready to pick up an Amphibia and an SNK.. lol
Have one. It’s a great watch for the price!
You sold me. I get a sense of euphoria looking at the blond face and the blond fabric band. Kind of weird, never had that kind of a reaction from an inanimate object.
This was my second watch.my first being a seiko 7002 diver
You don't really shake it. All it needs is some light finger taps on the margin of the watch.
Thanks for the tip!
the snk805 was my 1st automatic watch...
I ve own one SNK803, love the beige dial from Nepal
Nepal is awesome
I dont know squat about watches but this I like. Great review sir.
Very well done. Thank you.
You haven’t got to spend a fortune to have some nice watches, cos it costs lots and lots doesn’t mean it’s any better than a cheaper one ,,, thanks Shane uk 🇬🇧
Thanks for the review. Bought mine because of it.
All is fine after I sliced that silly Naugahyde strip off the strap.
Has eyelet hole elongated since removing naugahyde strip ?
No problem so far.
It’s a great watch but looks a bit odd on my large wrist I wish they made a 42mm model.
to me this watch looks very good on your wrist.
I've seen most of your videos ( watches) and most of them look out of place.. personal opinion..thanks for the content
This is a really nice watch. It shouldn’t be your only automatic watch though. There are other very nice mechanical watches out there at a really reasonable price point. I would highly recommend you add other mechanicals as they will actually last longer then a quartz. At some point a circuit will break while in a mechanical it can be serviced and rebuilt.
Serviced and rebuilt for the price of about half a dozen quartz watches 😂
Nice colour
Question: I got a SNK809 delivered from Amazon three days ago. I set the time, day (English), and date carefully per the instructions and I was careful not to set it during the time of day you aren’t supposed to. So far it keeps great time. HOWEVER, the next day at noon the day was in Spanish and still the prior day and the date was still the prior day also. When I got home from work yesterday I set the watch again per the instructions. Today at work the day and date did not read correct until 1:30 pm and at around 4pm the day was then in Spanish. Is this normal??
Sorry, for somereason this comment got flagged as spam and I didn't notice it till today. It sounds like you've got your AM and PM mixed up. Try this: set the day and date for to yesterday. Now adjust the time forward until the day and date completely switches over to today's date. Once you see the day and date start flipping over you know you're in AM. The day and date should completely flip to the current date by the time you rotate to 4AM. Keep going until the time reads the current time.
Is there a different between the 803/805/807/809? Thanks in advance, pretty new to the world of seikos
@Just the Watch Recently I got completely new snk803k2 on Aliexpress at $ 108. It still has an 7S26C inside production and date is 12 feb 2021, but how it can be? 7s26 was discontinued years ago... Was it refubrished or what?
Been considering this instead of the black one since it's out of stock.
Great review man! Love it!
I have smaller wrist, and I have timex with 40 mm that looks really gorgeous on my small wrist. I have 44 mm fossil that just too much for me.
Just got mine today! Love it
I sold mine awhile back but now I kind of want it back...
I can't make a choice whether to buy beige,blue, green or black. (In my collection, I alrdy have black dress watch, navy casual sport chronograph, stainless steel digital Casio a700w).. I like that green, but beige will complete my watch color collection, but blue or black will (maybe) fit with my daily outfit
get one of each!
They should come with a watchwinder box to put them in when you rotate your watches.
That would be cool, but then they would probably double the price :(
My first watch is a seiko 7002. My second is an invicta 8930 pro diver. My third is this.
Not a bad trio!
@@JusttheWatch Honestly i just got into watches. I have had my 7002 for years but just bit the bullet and the bought 2 budget watches this month.
Sweet watch!
Great review, enjoying your channel. Is chess also a major hobby for you?
Not a major hobby, but I enjoy playing with my dad and my son!
My two cents: These days, with pie plate sized fashion designer watches all the rage. it's easier to wind up with a watch that is too big than too small.
I would argue that a watch whose diameter was less than half the width of the wearer's wrist was too small. The Seiko in question is not too small on the vlogger's wrist.
As for too big, the tips of a watch's lugs should probably not overhang the wearer's wrist. Short of that I would consider the watch acceptably sized.
the gateway automatic watch
It was my first automatic watch also:)
You are right, my first too
iaxable I'm wearing mine right now! Just put a new strap on it and like it much more. I posted a short video reviewing the new strap as well if you're interested.
My wrist is 6.7 inch..do u recommend it for me...???
The day date white background doesn't look harmonious to the cream dial. That's why I prefer SNK809.
Hadn't really noticed it, doesn't really bother me much though. To each his own.
Backwind hacking is possible with this watch. See other videos on line.
I wind mine like doing a gentle rolling lifting arm movement holding it in my hand. Good???
Hey Bradley! Yeah, I was exaggerating a bit for the video, I'm usually a little gentler. Mine seems to take from between midnight and 2AM to completely roll over both the day and date to the next one, but since i'm usually asleep then (hopefully) I don't notice. As far as setting the date during those hours, I read somewhere that you shouldn't so I haven't tried. Just to be safe I always move the time to the middle of the day before setting the date, then correcting the time after.
I polished the case on mine and put it on a leather strap
I've seen some of the hand polished SNK80x mods that people have done, it's a great look!
@@JusttheWatch thanks, I didn't do mine by hand but used polishing machine for quickness but I preferred the polished look
do you guys think this color will look good on a tan dark skin?
I don't see why not!
@@JusttheWatch Thank you. I bought it 2 days ago and now i can't stop staring at it. An olive green nato is on its way soon