Seiko Men's Analogue Automatic Self-Winding Watch with Stainless Steel Bracelet – SNXS73K

Product Information

This time, however, the watch is complimented by a brushed bezel instead of polished, and a NATO strap, instead of a bracelet.

The top-brushed lugs are accented by a polished bevel that really adds some visual dimensions when viewing this watch from different angles.This means it’ll fit comfortably on most people’s wrists without hanging over the edge, even on those with smaller wrists. However, the SNXS79 would also look great on any black, brown, or taupe leather – the simpler, the better.

The military design is complimented by a satin case finish that hides scratches well, making this the perfect beater watch. These watches were given this nickname as they look strikingly similar to the legendary Rolex Datejust models, at a fraction of the cost. However, I’ve seen people submerge – even swim with – these watches, so I presume that it’s relatively safe to expose them to water.While not necessary to enjoy a watch, hacking stops the second hand when setting the time to set it more accurately, and hand-winding allows you to wind it, well, by hand.

Lume is traditionally best for casual watches, but a slightly dressier watch like the SNK793 benefits from having as little lume as possible for that traditional dress watch look. The SRPD series has been modernized from the SKX of the ’90s, with a slightly more refined appearance, and improved 4R36 caliber movement. This is more of the vintage Rolex that has been passed down in the family for generations look, rather than the large, blingy gold monstrosities you might find on a rapper’s wrist.

Although less modern, these watches are extremely comfortable to wear, and often look a bit more elegant and refined, due to their classic sizing. In case any rumors might have unsettled you, rest assured – the SNXS models aren’t a homage to anything. The bar indices are filled with Seiko's own luminous material, LumiBrite, and the watch's baton hands also glow in the dark. You don’t get a twin-trigger release here, not even a safety latch – just a friction-fit clasp like in the old days. What I didn’t realize at the time was that a smaller watch is actually classier and more versatile, as it’s more subtle and discreet.

OK, there’s one Rolex-ish thing about it, that being a “bubbleback” profile, as the case back has a tall, sloped edge, creating something of a bowl, with the rest of the watch sitting well above it. There are also a couple of versions that have aged-looking hour markers to make the watches look a bit more vintage, like the blue SRPD93 and black SRPD95, a personal favorite in my collection reviewed here. At only 37mm in diameter, and 11mm thick, the SNK355 sits close to the wrist, making it an extremely dressy-looking piece that is just screaming to be worn on an exotic leather strap like a crocodile or lizard. If that pattern extends to the 5s as well, you’re probably safe if you forget to take the watch off before going for a swim. I don’t know if Seiko has on purpose delivered these to Europe, or was my watch some glitch in their exports, and was meant to be sold in the Middle East.Anyway, whether or not these are the actual 5 features that Seiko had in mind when naming the collection, one thing is for sure: each Seiko 5 offers more than that.