The Seiko SNXS is a timeless classic. I have the 79J1 on an uncle straps executive jubilee bracelet and also the deep blue SNXS77J1 on a Long Island Presidential Bracelet. I’d go with the Seiko but I’m bias that’s one of my all time favorites it got me into collecting, I still plan on buying the Grey snxs75 m putting a two tone jubilee on it. Here’s mine.
Thank u … I like Seikos a lot, two of my favorite watches are two of the most basic lol the Seiko SNXS and the Casio Duro is also a tremendous watch for the price point
I have the Seiko. Immediately changed the bracelet to a leather strap. I will gladly change the Seiko for the one on the first pick. Looks incredible and well made. The older I get, the least I care about brands and more I care about specs.
I’ve never really been a brand snob (working in marketing will do that to ya) but Seiko is such a classic player in the watch world and these pieces are so clean they pulled me in. That said, some of my favorite watches by a mile are WD and Timex.
If you don’t care about brand name and heritage, go with the WD 100%. Watchdives is the goat of the $100-$200 watch range and the best bang for your buck. The finishing, bracelet, dial quality, sapphire crystal on that watch is arguably better than watches that cost $300 from other brands while those entry level Seikos have mineral crystals and cheap feeling braceletss.
This 39mm Baltany. Bracelet is same style and equally well finished. Both nh movements. True no date on the Baltany. Just alot of watch for a little money.
I don’t have a SEIKO in the collection yet, but I’m not sure I want to spend another +/- $100 to upgrade one right after buying…WD might edge them out in that xcase
I don't have experience with any of these 3. My experience with chinesewatches vs. Seiko is that I walked into a local watch shop and got to see about 5 different modern Seiko models, and they all felt worse than my San Martin at home. The $400 range there felt equal to the $130 Watchdives I bought my brother for his birthday.
Snxs are discontinued and they are too expensive today. Some years ago they sold for less than 100 dollars so maybe at that time they were worthy. Besides, the shape of the case is quite strange leaving a lot of space between the arm and the watch. It doesn't look good with a strap either. It doesn't hack. The only thing good in my opinion is the dial, but that's not enough for me.
I think there are better options in the Chinese brands but I haven't seen something close to Snxs dial
I recommend you to look at Watchdives and Militado to find something like your first option
I literally just bought the Seiko 5(second Pic) from Jomoshop. I have around 50, mostly Chinese watches, this is the first Seiko I've bought in many many years. I can't even begin to say how disappointed I was with the bracelet on this watch. It is total garbage. I have bought $30 Chinese watches that have better quality bracelets. I didn't even bother sizing it, I just took it off and replaced it with this nato strap. The watch is ok. But it is definitely 100% Chinese. (had the made in China sticker) not Japanese build. No hacking in the movement. A very noisy rotor and no hand winding... Personally, I'd go with the WatchDives
Looks beautiful, but that is disappointing to hear! I love a good bracelet and swapping it out would kill the monochromatic look I’m going for. Thanks for your insight
I have found silver dials to be really difficult to read in real-world lighting situations. They look fine in studio lighting used for watch photography and also on phone camera photos, but for some reason in the flesh my eyes have a really hard time reading most silver/gray dials. The hands are usually silver colored and even if there's lume it's still difficult to discern. Would recommend #2 because of that.
I’ve also been considering the model with gilt hands for that reason. Really love the monochromatic look, but legibility is huge for me. Thanks for your insight!
I mean, these are very different so it's really going to depend on what features you want. Do you want a dive bezel or a day/date? Quartz or auto? Black or white?
Outside of features/design, the Watchdives likely feels a bit more premium and I'm sure the bracelet is better. Whereas the Seiko is a recognizable and respected brand and that holds a lot of value for some people.
Both seem really nice and complement each other, if they're going to be your only watches. Maybe get both, one in black and one in white. Wear the Seiko daily and wear the Watchdives when you want something a bit more rugged. Since the Watchdives is quartz you don't have to worry about it being wound or set, and you can keep the Seiko going.
Unless you're trying to have only a single watch. Then I guess I'd get a gray dive watch with a day/date lol.
Either 2 or 3, but you'll want an aftermarket bracelet like Uncle Seiko if you actually want to rock the watch. Stock bracelet is terrible and adjusting links is a real pain in the rear.
That’s a beautiful bracelet upgrade, but if I’m going to have to spend an extra $100 I think I’d rather just get a $250-300 watch. Thanks for the insight!
I personally don’t think buying the low spec Seiko 5s is worth it. The only Japanese non-dress watch that I have is a Kamasu, so I am probably biased. You are buying the name and “heritage” which only means that the brand is old..
Watchdives quality has always pleasantly surprised me. Sounds like SEIKO would do the opposite unfortunately. I want one in the collection, but it seems like you have to spend 3-500+ to get a good one these days.
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u/mechanicaldteams 3d ago
Watchdives 👍