Is The Seiko 5 a Good Watch

[doctordial]

Hello folks. I have had 3 Seiko 5 watches all that have been damaged. It cost more than what I paid for them to get them fixed. The all had the Arabic or Hindu numbers on the face and I like that because you don't see that very often. I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on another,but I haven't been having good luck with these watches. Maybe if I don't wear ir everyday I can protect it.

 

[EclipseRedRing]

I am no watch expert but to me Seiko 5 are a decent quality, budget price watch line. They have been made by Seiko since 1963 and are still produced in large numbers. Unless they are a particularly rare example then they are likely to not be worth repairing. They are considered rugged and durable and should be perfectly able to withstand everyday wear. I have a Japanese domestic market Seiko 5 Sportsmatic Deluxe with a kanji day wheel which was made in my birth month and year of January 1967, and I wear it frequently. I would expect a new Seiko 5 to be considerably more rugged and reliable than my vintage model. All that said, if you have damaged three watches then perhaps consider something more rugged such as a Casio G-Shock.
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[RayClem]

I do not know about the Seiko 5 specifically, but I have been wearing Seiko watches for the past 20 years. when I was working, I wore the Kinetic self winding watches. Once I retired, the Kinetics were no longer practical as I did not wear them every day and they would run down. Now I have a Seiko Coutara solar watch that includes it own solar panel to keep it charged. As long as you leave it out where it can get either sunlight or artificial lighting a few hours per day, it never runs down. The watches do have a rechargeable battery/capacitor that does go bad after a few years. So if you get one of the rechargeable ones, plan on getting 5-7 years of use.

 

[Sherlock40]

I do not have any Seiko 5 models, but Grand Seiko is amazing. Here are 2 of my 9 F models.

 

[Quaznoid]

My Seiko 5 is a great watch. I wear it 24/7 and it never runs down. Originally it lost about 5 minutes a week but I adjusted it and it’s now spot on. Durable, reliable, good lume, reasonably priced—-what’s not to like?

 

[02flhtci]

I prefer an automatic watch. I wear them all day, every day, and wear them hard. I’ve tried several Seiko 5, Citizen, and some others, but the one that has stood the test of time, and had by far lasted the longest has been Steinhart. My current daily driver is going on 3 years, which has to be a record for me. It’s still accurate to under minute a week and while it has some wear, it still still looks good enough to leave on even if I’m going out. I ordered directly from the company. Shipping and delivery from Germany was flawless.

 

[Ratso]

I bought one a couple years ago and it’s dead. It started losing time and quit altogether. No more Seiko 5s for me. I have a Seiko automatic that I bought for my dad in 1971 and it’s still running. I want to say it’s a DX, but I’d have to look to be sure.

 

[Multum in parvo]

Can you tell me what you mean by damaged @doctordial ?

Issues with the movement or outside events (water, impacts).

 

[ylekot]

I do not have any Seiko 5 models, but Grand Seiko is amazing. Here are 2 of my 9 F models.

View attachment 1607704View attachment 1607705

Snowflake dial!!!

 

[Rhody]

Yes!
Anything seiko really
I’d suggest vintage
You can reduce the risk getting a vintage piece that’s been checked and serviced by a reputable site.

 

[Jayson74]

I have been wearing a Seiko 809 daily since 2019. No special care given to it, basically neglected. Losses about 1.5/2 minutes a week.

 

[dojpros]

1. Seiko 5 are solid entry level automatic watches. I think that Orient can often exceed the value proposition of Seiko in that you can often get a sapphire crystal for the same or less money relative to a Seiko.

2. The comparison of a few hundred dollar Seiko 5 to a few thousand dollar Grand Seiko is of limited value.

 

[brucered]

1. Seiko 5 are solid entry level automatic watches. I think that Orient can often exceed the value proposition of Seiko in that you can often get a sapphire crystal for the same or less money relative to a Seiko.

2. The comparison of a few hundred dollar Seiko 5 to a few thousand dollar Grand Seiko is of limited value.

This.

Seiko5 are reliable and affordable. Both my teenage kids wear Seiko5 automatics and both hold exceptional time.

Grand Seiko is not a fair comparison in any aspect.

The Seiko5 Dive watches are no longer on par with the the older 007 and other divers. No screw drown crown and no 200m water. That said, they have better movements (hacking).Their Field offering are sweet

You can expect Hardlex (mineral Crystal) in them vs Sapphire, if that matters. I have no issues with the Hardlex in my Seiko watches.

Take a look through the thread below. You'll see plenty of Seiko5 watches.

Thread 'Watch Ya Wearing' Watch Ya Wearing - https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/watch-ya-wearing.76104/

 

[nemo]

I have had 3 Seiko 5 watches all that have been damaged.

Where are you buying these and how are you damaging them? Not from India I hope ... shudder.

Seiko5 is a reliable and robust build, I use mine during all kinds of activities like wood chopping, chainsaw work, motocross riding --- nothing underwater though!

One I've worn for many years, it's all scratched up has had several new bands but has never been serviced. Heck, for only around $100 I'll just buy a new one if it ever stops telling time. (white dial SNKE49 bought in 2009)

 

[nemo]

The Seiko5 Dive watches are no longer on par with the the older 007 and other divers

Did they ever have screw down crowns and a real "dive" Seiko 5?
I can't remember any.

 

[Fuzzy]

I have several and for many years, I have broken 7 bones but never a Seiko! They are like the Toyota of watches and made by the same proud and quality conscious people.

 

[Fuzzy]

BTW, out of the box most of them are nearly perfect timekeepers. For a mechanical instrument it has no equal in its price range.

Searchable Seiko 5 Catalog

Seiko 5 Finder - the world's largest online searchable catalog of SEIKO 5 automatic watches with more than 2,000 different models to choose from

www.watchsleuth.com

 

[Multum in parvo]

BTW, out of the box most of them are nearly perfect timekeepers. For a mechanical instrument it has no equal in its price range.

Searchable Seiko 5 Catalog

Seiko 5 Finder - the world's largest online searchable catalog of SEIKO 5 automatic watches with more than 2,000 different models to choose from

www.watchsleuth.com

Both Epson companies are great but on the entry level offerings Orient delivers, at least for me, the better package.

This one was 220.00 including the aftermarket strap.

 

[tankerjohn]

Did they ever have screw down crowns and a real "dive" Seiko 5?
I can't remember any.

I don't think the 007 was technically part of the Seiko 5 lineup, but it was usually lumped in because it had the same movement.

 

[Fuzzy]

Orient does deliver a fine watch as well. They make some beautiful watches. My weekender President has served me well. But going back to your breaking them problem, you might be better off with a plastic watch (Casio) or at least a low profile watch. I wore a slim Ecodrive for years while working in the field, it was lightweight and slim. Could never warm up to a plastic watch though.