You just sold another one! Just ordered the green dial from you. I'm about 25 watches into my collection and don't yet have a Seiko, and have been eyeballing these for a while. Could have gotten it cheaper on Amazon, but I like supporting people like you directly. Always enjoy your videos!
I picked up my Seiko SNK809 on sale several years ago for a whopping $41 brand new! Even though my collection has grown significantly since then it is still worn regularly. 👍
@@islandwatch indeed. As a "small" wrist, left hand watch user. I love the 4 o'clock crown. Its the one thing I wish they had kept on from the gen1 Orient Defender into the gen2
SNK-809 started it all for me. I recently gave it to my mom because she was complaining about her batteries on her watches. Makes me smile to see it out and about instead of rotting in my watch box
You said "gateway", and "rabbit hole"…I imagine myself looking out my backyard, and seeing a rabbit enthusiastically pointing down and saying "C'mon, it's great down here…you *know* you want to!"
I was watching the SNKL portion and as my husband walked by he said how beautiful it looked, so I have now FINALLY made my first purchase from Marc! Thanks. And I get marriage points, too!
Marc your video on regulating watches changed my relationship with my seiko automatic. It took a fall, and lost at least a minute per day. Now I have it within +30 seconds. Thank you 👍
I’m actually wearing my SNK805 on a leather strap right now. Sits next to my Rolex and Islander ISL-49 in my watch box. It’s a diverse neighborhood in there 😂
I absolutely love the SNK809. I was devastated when I found out they would be discontinued eventually. I would buy a Long Island version in a heartbeat! (Sapphire glass would be nice)
I agree. I put my SNKL23 on a smart leather strap and it looks the business for just a few bucks. I can never understand brands getting rid of popular models. Why do they do that?
G’day from Oz, I actually have two of these SNK’s in different configurations, both of which have been modded by me & checked by a grade 3 (master) watchmaker. They both have Sapphire crystals & NH (4R) 36a movements. The Sapphire on the field is 1mm thick instead of 1.2 mm. This was done so that the bezel would act as a “hood” & offer extra protection. It worked very well! I’ve brushed the case of my 10 year old 38mm / 19 mm lug width blue dialed 24 hour field watch & matched it with a Blue sailcloth leather lined strap with brushed buckle & tang from Barton. The other is a new unworn SNKL 035 that has Blue AR on the underside of the Sapphire & a blood Red Ostrich strap..... it looks the bomb. The cost, including this watch was AUD $255 plus strap of $45 so a final cost of AUD $300. I honestly think that it now outclasses the Presage equivalent in style, quality & definitely in class as the black dial with black day/date, has the reverse design (the striping effect is in the centre circle rather than the outer ring)of the 031 & has Roman numerals rather than batons. It is still 30m WR also.
Oh yeah, Seiko 5, the gateway drug. Over 10 years ago, I bought Seiko 5 SNKK31 and SNZG07K1 during my business trip to Singapore. These got me into watches, but were my only two pieces for a while, until I recently went a bit mad and my collection grew dramatically in past 2 years. I even got back to the Seiko 5 world and bought the SNKL23 (i found the K version for less then 100 bucks shipped to me), the SNKL15 form my wife and then the new ones: SRPE57 for me and SRPE63 for her. Oh, I love Seiko 5 and I really wish they will make even the new 5 line that diverse, as the old one.
My nicest watch is my beloved SNK805, which I bought in late 2020 right as they were really getting phased out in stores. It's on a green tweed/leather strap and goes so well with all my favorite outfits.
Snk809 was my first automatic watch. Picked one up 3 or 4 years ago for 80 bucks. Currently it is broken (rotor popped of the automatic works when I dropped it one day) and the cost to fix it is more than the watch is worth. I might pick another one up it is a great reliable watch.
When I decided to get back into wearing a watch again, my first two were a Seiko SNK807 and a Citizen Nighthawk BJ7000-52E. I still wear both watches and have no regrets on either purchase.
Mark’s right. I picked up an SNKL23, and like he (and TGV) said i put it on a Colareb Spoleto brown strap, it has become my daily work watch and I still love looking at that dial. Of course that gateway/ rabbit hole led to many Islander watches, but that’s a story for another time!!!
I watch your vid on the ‘dress’ KX and bought one. I now have a few more various make watches, Casio, Pagani and Steeldive. I hold you responsable for my new ‘habit’! I hope you are ashamed of yourself! You are literally a virtual time dealer! Thanks Mark! Stay safe.🤣🤣👍🏾
I bought my snkl23j for around 100 bucks. The day i got my watch in my hands, i drove to a local watch shop and put a black leather strap on it. It felt like i also added a zero at the end of the price tag. It is surely an awesome and must have piece.
Thank you for the video! I've bought the green strap one for my son (SNK805K2), for me it's a bit small. He likes it so much! and since it was a bit "military" I also bought him a SNK371K1, a stunning watch, he uses everyday now! Really beautiful!
I bought the SNKL23 (black) and the corresponding SNKL15 (white) a couple of years back. I recently passed them onto a good mate and he and his wife are ecstatic with them. I put them on black leather straps. Vastly improved look with the leather.
These are what got me into the hobby - I have all four, plus one red dial/blue strap version that was really hard to find. I wear them all regularly - great watches for not a lot of money, and fun to swap straps around on, too.
Used to have one in blue. Gave it away, regretted it. Now I want another, but I'd rather wait and see if an Islander version comes out instead. Marc's slogan should be "Anything you can do, I can do better!" 😆
Can’t agree more: couple years ago, I found a pre-owned snkl23 k1 for less than 80 $ for my 1st automatic watch. Just love it as tool watch. Nice on leather, on nato, you name it. As the bracelet is too jiggly-cheap. And it took me deep into the rabbit hole since then. Definitely my gateway watch. I’m struggling to keep my collection under 10 watches. 😅
Yeah, the SNK805 did it for me. I thought the size would be a problem for my gargantuan wrists but it wears bigger. The only negative is the lack of hand winding, but I wear mine most days. Defo down a rabbit hole...
You nailed it Marc...this little guy was my gateway watch (and still my favorite golf watch!) Next up was my ISL-01, and since I’ve had so much fun adding few more watches to my collection. So fun to see this review as a reminder of the watch that brought me into this beautiful hobby!
You hit the nail on the head Mark. I own 5 of these style watches. Great for getting your modding skills sharpened up. Case and point I swapped my snk809 into a brushed and polished case from another seiko SNK model.
I recommend these SNK watches to "civilians" all the time! My own personal gateway was the SNZG15. I am absolutely LOVING the navy dial Squale Matic that I received from Long Island Watch last week!! It's unbelievably beautiful. Thanks Marc!
I bought a snk809 for $55 on amazon in 2016 and have been wearing it almost daily since then. Love it. The watch I really wish I could find is the snkk93. I got one for 60 bucks on amazon in 2013 and love it but it seems to have disappeared from the internet. wish I could get another so bad.
So well said. The single greatest gateway to a proper watch and watch collecting. I have bought 3-4 from LIW, and gifted them all. I hold onto my favorite, the green (NYJ Green). A wonderful little watch. My daughter borrows it from me all the time ... mmm, maybe time to buy one more? Thanks Mark.
Hi Marc, thanks for being one of the people who got me into the world of watches (again). Your video’s are really educational, enlightening and always fun to watch. Both Seiko’s in this vid are both very nice, only to small for my taste :-) Greetings from the Netherlands
This watch is So Good, I bought the blue 1st, and 6 months later I got the beige. Then a bunch of Barton Watch Bands. I have 10 different looks and I'm having fun. T y Mark..!!
My favorite thing about the 80x has always been the brushed case. Some of you know that years ago they had several versions with Flieger Type A style dials, sometimes even with lumed numerals and so on. I found a new SNKN27 a few years ago and gave it to my dad with a nice leather strap. I had an SNK361 but it wasn't legible indoors nor in any sort of glare. That's what's always kept me from getting the '23, however an AR-coated crystal would likely be a worthy upgrade.
I have the 805 (green) and use it for my weekend beater - mowing, weed trimming, gardening, etc.. These watches can take a lot of abuse. Just wipe the dirt off and it's good as new. Great value!
Hi Marc. Thank you for always being so detailed n railroading for adding in the lume shots. That really helped. 🤗 I agree with you on the importance of lumed numerals, and not only the 12. I like mine to be lumed All numerals, if not at least at the 12, 3, 6 n 9...😁 Any such seiko 5 models to recommend? Thank you. 😊 🤗
Thank you for your video, I just received the K1 and K2, at a very good price. . . no not Grey Markets, UK exclusives, they are as you described - you do forget you are wearing,.
For some reason people don't care for the green. We have the other three. I plan on getting the green this Dec. The Mrs. adores hers. Also yes they are gateway watches. My snk803 is what got me started, and opened up a world that I have come to love.
I want to love my SNK809 but I can't get past the 18mm strap which looks a bit small to me on my wrist. I do wear a 36mm x 20mm lug Smith's expedition as my daily too. Great watch though and I love the looks personally.
When I bought this watch I really had never heard of a Flieger watch After I Learned what it was, it turned out to be my favorite kind of watch I like everything about it, and it’s very inexpensive I really hope islander makes a version of it but I hope it’s a 40 mm
I really like these affordable Seiko automatic watches. I've sold quit a few of them. I think it is nice how they come in a variety of colors. Good video.
In the dark just feel the lugs. 12 is dead center between the lugs. Also you can sometimes see the date window from the lume to help you get a reference
Hello Marc. You just went up a notch for having a green watch. I also have the SNK805 and I rather like the little bugger, it gets a LOT of wrist time.
Just started to get interested in watches and last week, I ordered my first two (both snkl23s)from you 😁 Don't know what came over me! I guess I really wanted one! Here in Greece, it's soo very hard to find them and if you do, they go for ridiculous money, like 235 euros ridiculous! Anyway, you and TGV are like my gurus when it comes to watches. Keep up the good work 😁
I have dailies for every day of the week and the top two I wear are my Timex Expedition Chrono and my Seiko SNK809. A nice solid watch with a size and crown that really stays out of the way. Those OEM straps don’t seem to withstand much so I replaced mine with a nice Nato strap.
(Another) Great review! I have a SKNL23J1 blue dial, hands and day/date misaligned, but nevertheless a nice little dress watch. I also have s SKX with no alignment issues at all, a Seiko surely is either a miss or a hit, as goes for the 7s26 movement, my SKX has had a really rough time on wrist, but it just keeps on running -10 sec/day. These low end Seiko moments are better than their reputation.
These watches look amazing on a leather strap. I wish I could find more watches around this size. I have 7 1/2 inch wrists - it's not an issue of modern large watches not fitting me, I just think smaller watches are way more elegant.
Bought an SNKL23J from LIW, and it is a superb dress watch. One of the best looking watches at any price. I prefer (by a slight margin) my SARB's hands, but the SNKL23's dial is much, much nicer. And the service from LIW: Three Thumbs Up! Great people!
Whatever get you into the hobby you know tho I wouldn't say it's the most interesting first watch cuz seikos either dishing out 'fashion watches-like' like these or jacking up the price on divers of which homages arguably are doing a better job of. But again, I myself remember looking at the photos of their field seikos over and over and didn't pull the trigger. The info alone did bring me to go down the rabbit whole tho my first watch is a vostok.
In addition to the black, blue, beige and green SNK-800's, Seiko made one with a bright red dial on a blue strap. SNKM95. "Currently unavailable" on Amazon. Maybe I should've snapped one up several years ago when they were $80 or so on Amazon, maybe they're collector's items now, lol. Kidding, I don't really do that watches-as-an-investment thing. I was tempted to buy one back then, but for its own sake, not to flip it.
I have an 805. it might be my only mechanical watch but it was one of the first watches I bought when I got all this started. now I have nearly 30 watches.
Above the 🦴 - below the 🦴 Always have to 😂🤣 at this; having to appease the "etiquette 🚨🚓" 💕 It, knowing the backstory. On a side note; bought a couple 809's a few years back. One on a strap for my Dad & the other on the bracelet for me. What would be cool is an Islander interpretation of the Seiko "Bottle Cap" line 🤔. That is the only Seiko 5 remaining in my personal collection.
Wearing my 803 while watching. You are not lying…this was my start into non-quartz watches. This one still gets a decent amount of wrist time. Since this watch, I’ve spent way too much on watches.
I've passed that "gateway" point but still, that black snkl is so attractive. I want one lol. Couldn't justify buying a sarb given their price these days and this one, with the exception of the bracelet, doesn't seem bad at all. Would have to seriously consider it.
You're completely right about these watches Marc. Absolutely deadly - they should come with a health warning! But what awesome pieces they are. Will we see their like again? Not from Seiko I think.
I have all varients of this watcj including the SNKM95 red dial amazon exclusive version. Yes I own the bracelet 809 varient too. I didn't pay any hundred bucks for any of them either.
Seiko watch hack! Problem: I have a 1956 Eterna men's watch that I really love. It's 33mm excl. crown. Love the look, can't bear to use a 65-yo scratchless acrylic crystal watch every day. Solution: Seiko women's Presage! 34mm, affordable, comfortable. Lug width is 17mm but will fit an 18mm strap. I wear totally comfortably in between 42mm divers, doesn't matter at all. 😊
Got my Nephew a Diver with this movement in it. My god, I was so lucky to find one new, but Aussie watch stores stock moves slowly. He's stoked knowing that they aren't being made anymore.
Hi, Marc, thanks for another great review; like many others here, my 807 was my first automatic when I dove into the rabbit hole and it remains one of my favorites still because of that 42.5 L2L. Of the watches I have it's the only one that sits in that visual sweet spot on the wrist, and I would argue that it looks good on large or small wrists. If a certain someone, ahem, does one-up Seiko in this particular space, I would like to make a case for the dial being from the SNKN27, 29, 31, and 33 line of field watches. I understand the charm of an undersized flieger B, but not having a traditional field watch dial widely available when they're consistently good sellers escapes me. I would also ask that the movement be hacking and hand-windable, please. :) Thank you, Uncle Marc, you're the best!
@@georgefa a screw down crown doesn't really add to the water resistance,you can have a 1000mtr dive watch with a push/pull crown,it's all down to the gaskets,in fact,for a watch that hand winds I'd prefer the push/pull crown, because you're less likely to thread the crown when you do wind it
A few years back I picked up an SNK cased watch, out of Japan on eBay. It has a regular, black, field watch style dial. 1-12 hr markers and military hrs in the center. Put a domed crystal in it and it’s now on a nylon khaki strap. I love that watch.
It is a SERIOUSLY nice little watch,it has a ton of charm about it,I find myself forgiving it a lot of sins regarding its accuracy just because I like it so much
I have the SNK 809/black. I got it ages ago for $50 and love it, even if its a bit big. I love the blasted finish. I'd like to get a bracelet for it though. That SNKL23J would be perfect w/o the stupid date.
@@Laz_Arus yeah, governments simply raise taxes because you and me have endless amounts of money andcthey don't. Just another reason to stay on budget. 😜
My first mechanical watch. My second and third followed very quickly. After a while of not wearing the it I put it on and the very audible rotor turned me off and I sold it for a few dollars less than I paid for it. It was a gateway drug.
You just sold another one! Just ordered the green dial from you. I'm about 25 watches into my collection and don't yet have a Seiko, and have been eyeballing these for a while. Could have gotten it cheaper on Amazon, but I like supporting people like you directly. Always enjoy your videos!
Awesome! Thank you!
I picked up my Seiko SNK809 on sale several years ago for a whopping $41 brand new! Even though my collection has grown significantly since then it is still worn regularly. 👍
amazing.
Wow, times have changed, I picked one up for $80 a few days ago
I love the crown at the 4 o'clcok and the flieger/field watch style
Very cozy.
@@islandwatch indeed. As a "small" wrist, left hand watch user. I love the 4 o'clock crown. Its the one thing I wish they had kept on from the gen1 Orient Defender into the gen2
SNK355 here. It loves straps and gets compliments. It, too will also get you into the hobby.
Agreed. Mine really got me into Seiko 5's.
Sweet too!
809 is a little gem! Always enjoy wearing it 👌🏻🤗
SNK-809 started it all for me. I recently gave it to my mom because she was complaining about her batteries on her watches. Makes me smile to see it out and about instead of rotting in my watch box
That's nice to hear.
You said "gateway", and "rabbit hole"…I imagine myself looking out my backyard, and seeing a rabbit enthusiastically pointing down and saying "C'mon, it's great down here…you *know* you want to!"
I was watching the SNKL portion and as my husband walked by he said how beautiful it looked, so I have now FINALLY made my first purchase from Marc! Thanks. And I get marriage points, too!
Maybe you can talk to my fianci about getting me a watch. She yells at me
@@simtye88 There are a lot of lovely vintage ladies watches available for cheap. Omega, Seiko, etc. Buy one or two for her and see if she eases up?
I have the snkl23 and the snk809. I love them so much that i'm thinking of buying another pair to have as backup
Good idea.
they look wonderful. Perfect form factor and proportions. Nice video.
Thank you very much!
Marc your video on regulating watches changed my relationship with my seiko automatic. It took a fall, and lost at least a minute per day. Now I have it within +30 seconds. Thank you 👍
I’m actually wearing my SNK805 on a leather strap right now. Sits next to my Rolex and Islander ISL-49 in my watch box. It’s a diverse neighborhood in there 😂
Sounds like a great place :)
A SNK805 next to a Rolex is actually not so unusual. Or an SNK on the wrist while a Rolex stays in the case.
I bought the green one around 11 yrs ago and I still love it .
Cool.
I absolutely love the SNK809. I was devastated when I found out they would be discontinued eventually. I would buy a Long Island version in a heartbeat! (Sapphire glass would be nice)
They also have a red dial version of the SNK80X series with blue strap, SNKM95, I bought one as a gift for my cousin a few years ago
Cool, thanks.
Very hard to find the red dial
I agree. I put my SNKL23 on a smart leather strap and it looks the business for just a few bucks. I can never understand brands getting rid of popular models. Why do they do that?
G’day from Oz,
I actually have two of these SNK’s in different configurations, both of which have been modded by me & checked by a grade 3 (master) watchmaker.
They both have Sapphire crystals & NH (4R) 36a movements. The Sapphire on the field is 1mm thick instead of 1.2 mm. This was done so that the bezel would act as a “hood” & offer extra protection. It worked very well!
I’ve brushed the case of my 10 year old 38mm / 19 mm lug width blue dialed 24 hour field watch & matched it with a Blue sailcloth leather lined strap with brushed buckle & tang from Barton.
The other is a new unworn SNKL 035 that has Blue AR on the underside of the Sapphire & a blood Red Ostrich strap..... it looks the bomb. The cost, including this watch was AUD $255 plus strap of $45 so a final cost of AUD $300.
I honestly think that it now outclasses the Presage equivalent in style, quality & definitely in class as the black dial with black day/date, has the reverse design (the striping effect is in the centre circle rather than the outer ring)of the 031 & has Roman numerals rather than batons. It is still 30m WR also.
Oh yeah, Seiko 5, the gateway drug. Over 10 years ago, I bought Seiko 5 SNKK31 and SNZG07K1 during my business trip to Singapore. These got me into watches, but were my only two pieces for a while, until I recently went a bit mad and my collection grew dramatically in past 2 years. I even got back to the Seiko 5 world and bought the SNKL23 (i found the K version for less then 100 bucks shipped to me), the SNKL15 form my wife and then the new ones: SRPE57 for me and SRPE63 for her. Oh, I love Seiko 5 and I really wish they will make even the new 5 line that diverse, as the old one.
My nicest watch is my beloved SNK805, which I bought in late 2020 right as they were really getting phased out in stores. It's on a green tweed/leather strap and goes so well with all my favorite outfits.
The one that pushed me down the rabbit hole was the citizens from the 90s promasters and auto the seiko 50 fathoms in blue. Thank you!
I got my blue island monster yesterday. I absolutely love it. Thanks Mark
Nice 👍
I just ordered my SNK803. It's going to by my very first watch. So excited
Snk809 was my first automatic watch. Picked one up 3 or 4 years ago for 80 bucks. Currently it is broken (rotor popped of the automatic works when I dropped it one day) and the cost to fix it is more than the watch is worth. I might pick another one up it is a great reliable watch.
When I decided to get back into wearing a watch again, my first two were a Seiko SNK807 and a Citizen Nighthawk BJ7000-52E. I still wear both watches and have no regrets on either purchase.
awesome.
Mark is right, I bought the snk809 quite a few years ago and here I am, watching Mark’s videos and buying watches haha. Good video.
thanks for watching.
Mark’s right. I picked up an SNKL23, and like he (and TGV) said i put it on a Colareb Spoleto brown strap, it has become my daily work watch and I still love looking at that dial. Of course that gateway/ rabbit hole led to many Islander watches, but that’s a story for another time!!!
I watch your vid on the ‘dress’ KX and bought one.
I now have a few more various make watches, Casio, Pagani and Steeldive.
I hold you responsable for my new ‘habit’!
I hope you are ashamed of yourself!
You are literally a virtual time dealer!
Thanks Mark!
Stay safe.🤣🤣👍🏾
Gladly!
I bought my snkl23j for around 100 bucks. The day i got my watch in my hands, i drove to a local watch shop and put a black leather strap on it. It felt like i also added a zero at the end of the price tag. It is surely an awesome and must have piece.
Thank you for the video! I've bought the green strap one for my son (SNK805K2), for me it's a bit small. He likes it so much! and since it was a bit "military" I also bought him a SNK371K1, a stunning watch, he uses everyday now! Really beautiful!
Great to get him into it.
I bought the SNKL23 (black) and the corresponding SNKL15 (white) a couple of years back. I recently passed them onto a good mate and he and his wife are ecstatic with them. I put them on black leather straps. Vastly improved look with the leather.
These are what got me into the hobby - I have all four, plus one red dial/blue strap version that was really hard to find. I wear them all regularly - great watches for not a lot of money, and fun to swap straps around on, too.
SNKL45 here, it feels so versatile and seems to work with any strap i throw at it.
SNK809 for the win, still love mine, and yes, my first auto in years when I got back into watches.
Nice.
Used to have one in blue. Gave it away, regretted it. Now I want another, but I'd rather wait and see if an Islander version comes out instead. Marc's slogan should be "Anything you can do, I can do better!" 😆
LOL
Can’t agree more: couple years ago, I found a pre-owned snkl23 k1 for less than 80 $ for my 1st automatic watch. Just love it as tool watch. Nice on leather, on nato, you name it. As the bracelet is too jiggly-cheap.
And it took me deep into the rabbit hole since then. Definitely my gateway watch.
I’m struggling to keep my collection under 10 watches. 😅
Yeah, the SNK805 did it for me. I thought the size would be a problem for my gargantuan wrists but it wears bigger. The only negative is the lack of hand winding, but I wear mine most days. Defo down a rabbit hole...
You nailed it Marc...this little guy was my gateway watch (and still my favorite golf watch!) Next up was my ISL-01, and since I’ve had so much fun adding few more watches to my collection. So fun to see this review as a reminder of the watch that brought me into this beautiful hobby!
The genuine continuation of the seiko we like....
I have always been curious about these Seiko fields. Thanks for the video. They all look quite attractive.
You hit the nail on the head Mark. I own 5 of these style watches. Great for getting your modding skills sharpened up. Case and point I swapped my snk809 into a brushed and polished case from another seiko SNK model.
Well said!
I recommend these SNK watches to "civilians" all the time! My own personal gateway was the SNZG15. I am absolutely LOVING the navy dial Squale Matic that I received from Long Island Watch last week!! It's unbelievably beautiful. Thanks Marc!
Thanks for watching.
I bought a snk809 for $55 on amazon in 2016 and have been wearing it almost daily since then. Love it. The watch I really wish I could find is the snkk93. I got one for 60 bucks on amazon in 2013 and love it but it seems to have disappeared from the internet. wish I could get another so bad.
So well said. The single greatest gateway to a proper watch and watch collecting. I have bought 3-4 from LIW, and gifted them all. I hold onto my favorite, the green (NYJ Green). A wonderful little watch. My daughter borrows it from me all the time ... mmm, maybe time to buy one more? Thanks Mark.
Just one more!
Hi Marc, thanks for being one of the people who got me into the world of watches (again). Your video’s are really educational, enlightening and always fun to watch. Both Seiko’s in this vid are both very nice, only to small for my taste :-)
Greetings from the Netherlands
This watch is So Good, I bought the blue 1st, and 6 months later I got the beige. Then a bunch of Barton Watch Bands. I have 10 different looks and I'm having fun. T y Mark..!!
Marc, i always love your honesty in your videos. Thx!
The 807 was my gateway drug, and though I have long since graduated to much higher end pieces, I could never let go of the 807.
My favorite thing about the 80x has always been the brushed case. Some of you know that years ago they had several versions with Flieger Type A style dials, sometimes even with lumed numerals and so on. I found a new SNKN27 a few years ago and gave it to my dad with a nice leather strap.
I had an SNK361 but it wasn't legible indoors nor in any sort of glare. That's what's always kept me from getting the '23, however an AR-coated crystal would likely be a worthy upgrade.
Seiko SNX997 was my gateway to nice watches many years ago, with a dial a little more plain than the one you showed off here.
I have the 805 (green) and use it for my weekend beater - mowing, weed trimming, gardening, etc.. These watches can take a lot of abuse. Just wipe the dirt off and it's good as new. Great value!
Thanks.
Hi Marc. Thank you for always being so detailed n railroading for adding in the lume shots. That really helped. 🤗
I agree with you on the importance of lumed numerals, and not only the 12. I like mine to be lumed All numerals, if not at least at the 12, 3, 6 n 9...😁
Any such seiko 5 models to recommend? Thank you. 😊 🤗
Thank you for your video, I just received the K1 and K2, at a very good price. . . no not Grey Markets, UK exclusives, they are as you described - you do forget you are wearing,.
SNK807, bought two of them from long island. Always got the attention of crowd and was eventually gifted to loved ones
Nice gifts.
For some reason people don't care for the green. We have the other three. I plan on getting the green this Dec. The Mrs. adores hers. Also yes they are gateway watches. My snk803 is what got me started, and opened up a world that I have come to love.
Green is the bottom seller.
I want to love my SNK809 but I can't get past the 18mm strap which looks a bit small to me on my wrist. I do wear a 36mm x 20mm lug Smith's expedition as my daily too.
Great watch though and I love the looks personally.
When I bought this watch I really had never heard of a Flieger watch
After I Learned what it was, it turned out to be my favorite kind of watch I like everything about it, and it’s very inexpensive
I really hope islander makes a version of it but I hope it’s a 40 mm
I really like these affordable Seiko automatic watches. I've sold quit a few of them. I think it is nice how they come in a variety of colors. Good video.
These were my gateway watches a few years ago, they used to be $49, which was an insane price for them
Wish that was still the case. I just bought an SNK393 and an SNKL45 recently for $97 and $92 respectively and those are really good prices right now.
In the dark just feel the lugs. 12 is dead center between the lugs. Also you can sometimes see the date window from the lume to help you get a reference
That seiko 5 fliegler....🤩🤩is a star!
Sure is.
Hello Marc.
You just went up a notch for having a green watch. I also have the SNK805 and I rather like the little bugger, it gets a LOT of wrist time.
Green is nice, it should be more popular.
They are great watches! The red tip seconds hand is killer. The black datewheel is incredible. The khaki one is super legible.
Just started to get interested in watches and last week, I ordered my first two (both snkl23s)from you 😁 Don't know what came over me! I guess I really wanted one! Here in Greece, it's soo very hard to find them and if you do, they go for ridiculous money, like 235 euros ridiculous! Anyway, you and TGV are like my gurus when it comes to watches. Keep up the good work 😁
Just ordered one in blue Marc.....adding to my Seiko collection I am.....thanks again
Good choice!
I have dailies for every day of the week and the top two I wear are my Timex Expedition Chrono and my Seiko SNK809. A nice solid watch with a size and crown that really stays out of the way.
Those OEM straps don’t seem to withstand much so I replaced mine with a nice Nato strap.
(Another) Great review! I have a SKNL23J1 blue dial, hands and day/date misaligned, but nevertheless a nice little dress watch. I also have s SKX with no alignment issues at all, a Seiko surely is either a miss or a hit, as goes for the 7s26 movement, my SKX has had a really rough time on wrist, but it just keeps on running -10 sec/day. These low end Seiko moments are better than their reputation.
These watches look amazing on a leather strap. I wish I could find more watches around this size. I have 7 1/2 inch wrists - it's not an issue of modern large watches not fitting me, I just think smaller watches are way more elegant.
Bought an SNKL23J from LIW, and it is a superb dress watch. One of the best looking watches at any price. I prefer (by a slight margin) my SARB's hands, but the SNKL23's dial is much, much nicer. And the service from LIW: Three Thumbs Up! Great people!
Thanks for sharing!
Just go my Laco 42mm blue dial flieger style watch in the mail, I love it, thank you LIW.
Whatever get you into the hobby you know tho I wouldn't say it's the most interesting first watch cuz seikos either dishing out 'fashion watches-like' like these or jacking up the price on divers of which homages arguably are doing a better job of. But again, I myself remember looking at the photos of their field seikos over and over and didn't pull the trigger. The info alone did bring me to go down the rabbit whole tho my first watch is a vostok.
I'm wearing my SNKL41 right now. Total strap monster and just a lovely little watch.
Nice.
In addition to the black, blue, beige and green SNK-800's, Seiko made one with a bright red dial on a blue strap. SNKM95. "Currently unavailable" on Amazon. Maybe I should've snapped one up several years ago when they were $80 or so on Amazon, maybe they're collector's items now, lol. Kidding, I don't really do that watches-as-an-investment thing. I was tempted to buy one back then, but for its own sake, not to flip it.
The SNK 809 was my first cool watch. I bought one for $50. Definitely a gateway in my case.
Great price, ahhh, the old days.
I have an 805. it might be my only mechanical watch but it was one of the first watches I bought when I got all this started. now I have nearly 30 watches.
Nice collection!
Above the 🦴 - below the 🦴
Always have to 😂🤣 at this; having to appease the "etiquette 🚨🚓"
💕 It, knowing the backstory.
On a side note; bought a couple 809's a few years back. One on a strap for my Dad & the other on the bracelet for me.
What would be cool is an Islander interpretation of the Seiko "Bottle Cap" line 🤔. That is the only Seiko 5 remaining in my personal collection.
I bought one from you a couple years ago and love it.
Thank you
Wearing my 803 while watching. You are not lying…this was my start into non-quartz watches. This one still gets a decent amount of wrist time. Since this watch, I’ve spent way too much on watches.
Sweet!
I considered this watch for my first auto, but I bought an Orient Ray 2 blue instead.
I've passed that "gateway" point but still, that black snkl is so attractive. I want one lol. Couldn't justify buying a sarb given their price these days and this one, with the exception of the bracelet, doesn't seem bad at all. Would have to seriously consider it.
Always a great watch, in any collection.
I own the SNK809K1 and SNXS79K. They are both amazing for their price
For sure.
You're completely right about these watches Marc. Absolutely deadly - they should come with a health warning! But what awesome pieces they are. Will we see their like again? Not from Seiko I think.
I think you're right on all counts.
My gateway watch was the NB Yeager Longflight C1 with Valjoux 7750. I got the last one from you Mark 👍
Great watch!
I have all varients of this watcj including the SNKM95 red dial amazon exclusive version.
Yes I own the bracelet 809 varient too. I didn't pay any hundred bucks for any of them either.
I'm digging the SNKL23J, beautiful dress watch and way undervalued IMO.
Truth.
Nice watches. Good entre into the hobby. Good vid. Keep at it!
Thanks, will do!
Love my SNK809, its slim compact profile has replaced my bulky G-shock as my daily wear watch 👍
Good choice!
I really like the recessed crown probably my favourite design feature.
Makes it super cozy.
Seiko watch hack!
Problem: I have a 1956 Eterna men's watch that I really love. It's 33mm excl. crown. Love the look, can't bear to use a 65-yo scratchless acrylic crystal watch every day.
Solution: Seiko women's Presage! 34mm, affordable, comfortable. Lug width is 17mm but will fit an 18mm strap. I wear totally comfortably in between 42mm divers, doesn't matter at all. 😊
Got my Nephew a Diver with this movement in it. My god, I was so lucky to find one new, but Aussie watch stores stock moves slowly. He's stoked knowing that they aren't being made anymore.
sweet
Hi, Marc, thanks for another great review; like many others here, my 807 was my first automatic when I dove into the rabbit hole and it remains one of my favorites still because of that 42.5 L2L. Of the watches I have it's the only one that sits in that visual sweet spot on the wrist, and I would argue that it looks good on large or small wrists. If a certain someone, ahem, does one-up Seiko in this particular space, I would like to make a case for the dial being from the SNKN27, 29, 31, and 33 line of field watches. I understand the charm of an undersized flieger B, but not having a traditional field watch dial widely available when they're consistently good sellers escapes me. I would also ask that the movement be hacking and hand-windable, please. :) Thank you, Uncle Marc, you're the best!
If Marc could re-create the SNK with a sapphire crystal, screw-down crown, and a 100m water resistance. I will buy it without a second thought
It doesn't actually need a screw down crown,but agreed
@@deanwaller8283 True, I don't even think it would fit with the style of the case, but having one is always welcomed
@@georgefa a screw down crown doesn't really add to the water resistance,you can have a 1000mtr dive watch with a push/pull crown,it's all down to the gaskets,in fact,for a watch that hand winds I'd prefer the push/pull crown, because you're less likely to thread the crown when you do wind it
A few years back I picked up an SNK cased watch, out of Japan on eBay. It has a regular, black, field watch style dial. 1-12 hr markers and military hrs in the center. Put a domed crystal in it and it’s now on a nylon khaki strap. I love that watch.
I know you guys would!
Love my snk 809. The thing has taken a beating but I think it just adds character.
It is a SERIOUSLY nice little watch,it has a ton of charm about it,I find myself forgiving it a lot of sins regarding its accuracy just because I like it so much
Sure does.
Quick question! When will we get the montauk steel bracelets I can’t wait to see what it looks like on an oyster!!
38 mm black dial awesome deal for 139.00, reminds me of my 69' 7005, cases are little bit different
I have the SNK 809/black. I got it ages ago for $50 and love it, even if its a bit big. I love the blasted finish. I'd like to get a bracelet for it though. That SNKL23J would be perfect w/o the stupid date.
Great
SNK709 was my gateway and I still rock it on a bond nato. :) That 38mm dress watch is a serious killer for 139.
Cool
I love this watch
we all do!
The dresser is awesome.
The SNKL23 really is a no-brainer. If only i hadn't busted my watch budget for '21 already. But it's really nice!
I'm sure with some creative accounting you can fudge your '21 watch budget out a few years. Governments do it all the time. 😁
@@Laz_Arus yeah, governments simply raise taxes because you and me have endless amounts of money andcthey don't. Just another reason to stay on budget. 😜
My first mechanical watch. My second and third followed very quickly. After a while of not wearing the it I put it on and the very audible rotor turned me off and I sold it for a few dollars less than I paid for it. It was a gateway drug.
Great way in. .