Seiko 5 SNKK33 on Hirsch Liberty Leather Band

Seiko 5 Model SNKK33: A Great Value in Watches

The Seiko 5 line of watches offers excellent value, with many models available new for around $70 to $80, and even less for used ones. They feature basic automatic movements, which, while not on par with higher-end ETA 2824 or 2892 movements, make them fantastic entry-level watches for those looking to get into the hobby. You won't feel too bad if you accidentally damage a $50 Seiko 5, but you might shed a tear over a $5,000 Rolex.

Hirsch Liberty on Seiko 5

The SNKK33 typically comes with a stainless steel bracelet that feels quite flimsy and cheap, so I decided to swap it out for a leather band. I was pleasantly surprised by how good it looked on the Hirsch Liberty band, which fits perfectly since it accepts a 20mm strap (though it's worth noting that various Seiko 5 models can vary in size; for instance, the SKX007 takes a 22mm strap, while some other Seiko 5 models use 18mm bands). Overall, I love wearing this watch and feel comfortable having it in rotation alongside my Rolex and Omega.

In the future, I would like to find a Seiko 5 model with blue hands, no day of the week, and a crown at 3 o'clock instead of 4 o'clock. The closest I've found is the higher-end Seiko 'Blue' Spark SCVS013, but it's now discontinued and harder to find.

Future Mod?

Now that I'm feeling more confident about modding this watch, I may attempt to build my own 'Blue' Spark. For now, I'm researching available dials and hands, and I plan to give it a try in a couple of weeks.

It looks really nice on the Hirsch band—better than both my Rolex and Omega. It also makes me yearn for a Polar White Explorer II, but for now, this Seiko 5 will do just fine.

 

My collection is feeling more complete with three automatics and three quartz watches. I recently sold the Casio 1010 to make room for new additions.