Opinion: Best Seiko 5 watches for the skinny wrist.
What is Seiko 5?
According to Seiko’s press release, Seiko 5 is a line of entry level watches that possess these five attributes: an automatic movement, day-date display, water resistance, recessed crown at 4 o’clock and a durable case and bracelet. Combined with the then novel mainspring and shock resistance system, these features resulted in one of the most popular and longest running sub-brand within Seiko.
The Seiko 5 line contains hundreds of watches and while the crown may not always be located at the 4 o’clock position on some models, it is hard to deny that these watches offer great value for the money with its affordable price tag. Coincidentally, Seiko 5 watches are typically smaller in size (around 37–38 mm) and are perfect for my skinny wrist!
In September 2019, Seiko refreshed the Seiko 5 line with the 5KX in a bid to reach the younger demographics and consolidate their product strategy. They’ve moved from the Shield 5 logo to the Edgy 5 script to represent the brand and replaced the movement from 7S26 to 4R36. While this exercise has seen the prices of Seiko 5 move north, these watches are still immensely popular in the watch community. Let’s take a look at some of the standouts from this legendary line of watches.
Seiko SNXS79
- Diameter: 37 mm
- Thickness: 12 mm
- Lug Width: 19 mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 43 mm
- Movement: 7S26 (automatic)
- Water Resistance: 30 m
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Price: $100
This is the best everyday watch for me personally. Its modest dimensions fit my 5.7 in wrist well and the sunburst grey dial is a treat to look at. The relatively simple dial layout further lends to its versatility, allowing you to dress it for whatever the occasion calls for. The SNXS79 has been discontinued, but is still available if you look hard enough. While the odd case shape may not suit some due to the gap between the wrist and lugs from how the watch sits, it doesn’t bother me personally. Read my full review here.
Seiko SRPE51
- Diameter: 40 mm
- Thickness: 11.5 mm
- Lug Width: 20 mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 44 mm
- Movement: 4R36 (hand-winding, hacking, automatic)
- Water Resistance: 100 m
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Price: $275
The sunburst grey dial is reminiscent of the first Japanese dive watch, the 62MAS — a nice nod to history with its diver styling. The SRPE51 is essentially a shrunken version of the 5KX with a fixed bezel, but with a larger crystal and dial. This enhances wrist presence while ensuring it would fit better on smaller wrists if you were having trouble fitting the 42 mm 5KX. I think this is one of the best everyday watches you can get from Seiko at this point, more of my thoughts here.
Seiko SNKL41
- Diameter: 37 mm
- Thickness: 11 mm
- Lug width: 18 mm
- Lug-to-lug: 42 mm
- Movement: 7S26 (automatic)
- Water resistance: 30 m
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Price: $80
If you’re having issues sourcing a SARB035, the SNKL41 is a great alternative. With a case that’s reminiscent of a Grand Seiko, its reduced proportions will fit really well if you have skinny wrists like me. With stick markers and dauphine hands, the SNKL41 will easily fit into more formal occasions if you are looking for something more reserved. While the stock bracelet isn’t exactly trash, its monochromatic colour scheme also makes it a strap monster, allowing you to dress the watch for all occasions. A tan strap would be particularly handsome!
Seiko SNK809
- Diameter: 37 mm
- Thickness: 11 mm
- Lug width: 18 mm
- Lug-to-lug: 43 mm
- Movement: 7S26 (automatic)
- Water resistance: 30 m
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Price: $80
If you’re looking for a Flieger to fit your skinny wrist, look no further. The SNK809 is great pilot-style field watch and is one of the most popular models within the Seiko 5 brand. Even with the Type B dial on a smaller surface area, the SNK809 is plenty legible. The hour hand reaches perfectly to the inner ring displaying the hours and the longer minute hand is extended to the exterior ring displaying minutes in 5-minute increments. However, I’m a tad disappointed by the lack of orientation in the dark since Fleigers should have superb legibility. Along with the hands set, only the round pits along the exterior are filled with lume. There’s no distinction between the lume marker at 12 and 6 o’clock, so reading time in the dark would take an extra bit of effort, especially so if you’re not wearing the watch. Filling in the triangle at the 12 o’clock mark with lume would be the perfect remedy. The SNK809 comes on a 2-piece fabric strap and would sit right at home on practically any NATO you throw at it.
Seiko SNKL23
- Diameter: 38 mm
- Thickness: 10.5 mm
- Lug Width: 18 mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 45 mm
- Movement: 7S26 (automatic)
- Water Resistance: 30 m
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Price: $100
The dressiest piece in this list, it has been nicknamed the million dollar watch after the review from Hodinkee and it isn’t difficult to see why. While it is limited to wear cases due to its razor sharp looks, this is a great affordable alternative for your suit and tie events. With vertical striping on the dial and faceted applied markers, it is quite the statement piece. Swap out the rattly bracelet for a cognac leather strap and you’re ready for a night out.
