Is The Seiko Navigator ACTUALLY The 'Best Watch Of 2023'?

[@rickrounds5150]

Maybe the friction based bezel is the only way Seiko can get the 12 o'clock marker to line up with the indices.

[@jamesblonde2271]

😂

[@mnharris10]

I have a 1969 version of this watch that my great uncle bought brought home from Vietnam where he was a pilot. That went to his brother my grandpa, to my dad to me. I still wear it on a nato often.

[@1968gadgetyo]

I bet it's older than most people who read the comment. 👍👍

[@Stricko72]

So glad you took one for the team Jody. It's a damn pretty watch,love it even the small crown and friction bezel. But at that price NO WAY!! £1500 in the UK, that's trying to have our pants down, I've bought another 55 anniversary and love it at a way way lower price. No far too much money £600 tops (and I'm being generous to Seiko here). Well if you must get one get rid of that bracelet and go hunt for a vintage one there's plenty of 19mm's out there. Great reveiw as ever Jody and I'm now drunk and off to sleep .

[@stevenwymor1398]

Jody, those don’t look like scratches in the caseback. If you look more closely, it appears there’s a clear protective sticker still in place. It seems that’s where the scratches reside, on the sticker, not on the caseback. I backed up the video and zoomed in to double check. Your macro shots even reveal some dust specks trapped under that sticker. Take a second look. That chapter ring is gorgeous. Those concentric circles are beautiful.

[@andrewrothman7805]

I have the original, which I bought used for under $200 years ago. I'll pass on this reissue.

[@jamesblonde2271]

great find, nice

[@johnsrabe]

I’m looking for the original!

[@ajmarion]

Same (kinda) - I have the Pepsi Navigator Timer with the inner rotating bezel from 1970 that I inherited from my grandpa. Beautiful watch, still runs like a tank! I’m hoping they make a reissue of that color too

[@Andrew.W75]

An original example in good condition is now typically a lot more than $200

[@Billeh556]

New one is sooo nice in size and looks, until I saw the price 🤮

[@liambyrne3488]

I looked at this in the Black Friday sales. I could of got it for £1100 but decided to go for the SPB333J1 instead. It has 20mm lug width, includes an excellent NATO strap and the dial IMO is grand seiko level. Oh and it was under £1000.

[@jamesblonde2271]

I love this but my current gmt target is the new Bulova Devil Diver gmt, the green full 70'stastic is about £700......less than half the price of these. Also I've seen vintage ones for about £400, Navigators I mean. God its a pretty watch tho, except for the T Rex hands.......

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

They are just hitting the Aussie discount retailers for about $1100-1200 on bracelet. Or about 2/3 the price of this one, even after discount... I'll definitely be trying to get my hands on one!

[@jamesblonde2271]

@@JustOneMoreWatch Yeah, the lume dial ones are more expensive......

[@jarrodwest5733]

@@JustOneMoreWatch At the risk of sounding like a shill, Deepak has the 96B405 with bracelet for $969 on Black Friday right now!

[@JHamilton791]

That's a beautiful watch and I hope you get it, I just wish the reissue had more brushing than polished surfaces to modernize it a little. The new size and those hour maker settings are great, though.

[@gopherproxy]

Dooood - this piece is a MUST-have! You'll need a navigator to safely get you through the jungle of Seiko's vintage limited editions 😊! Would be better with a tachymeter though, then you also could measure the speed at which they're pumping out those "almost-as-the-original-watch-but-much-more-expensive" editions 😅!

[@watch_girl_life]

I was lucky to pick one up for a lot cheaper from a wonderful Seiko jeweller in Sydney last week. It definitely rocks. A vintage inspired gem.

[@RandallSlick]

Lovely looking thing, and I'm sure San Martin et al will be bringing out a normal-person version soon. Apparently five letters beginning with S on the dial merits the unlubed shafting of the credulous punter, whichever country the watch comes from. BTW, they missed a trick not sticking with the 70m WR. Why? Omega and Christopher Ward have learned with their modern 150s. Retro WR is just....cool.

[@TerenceHughes4501]

Yeah. I'll take the Seiko

[@Kingofgoodtimes.]

Cool if you want an auto gmt at this size and like Seiko. Timex q reissue is a perfect cheap option that scratches the itch for this style.

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

Beautiful watch Jody! If Im not mistaken those scratches on the back appear to be on a sticker that was not peeled off yet.

[@johnsmith-gs4qf]

Good looking watch, but I'm satisfied with my Steeldive $79 11/11 special!

[@Horizontalvertigo]

I think it's a lovely watch, but I'd rather get a Glycine Airman for my money when it comes to a vintage gmt watch. I could even get a vintage one for this money.

[@1968gadgetyo]

You mean the OG GMT, before Rolex GMT Master. And combat proven watch. Apparently most Vietnam era US chopper pilots wears the Airman. Not grifting, but it's Black Friday. (hint)

[@Horizontalvertigo]

@@1968gadgetyo well there was the Longines multiple time zone watch from 1925, pretty sure that's the OG

[@djomanchester]

The watch in UK with a couple jewellers on Black Friday at £1,200. That's the best at the moment. Been watching this watch since release. Excited as will finally get to see in person next weekend. Limited run 4,000. Interesting re scratchs on underside as Seiko have applied their scratch resistant coating to watch and bracelet. It's a pretty watch 😍

[@Roomfulofgear]

I was incredibly tempted but yes the price held me back. For a caller GMT, the pricing is pretty much not justified. Bought a Glycine instead!

[@typebflieger]

At this point, it seems Jody posts Seiko videos to generate a bunch of negative comments from Seiko-haters whining about how this should be a $300 watch, specs are everything, and San Martin, blah, blah. Haters see these videos pop up in their feed and come here just to complain. These comments are good for engagement, I guess, but boring and predictable as hell.

[@ajmarion]

There’s always so many “my Pagani has these specs for $80, I would never pay that much blah blah” 😂

[@pk1342]

Yeah I do wonder when the Seiko hate fad will be over 👀

[@Andrew.W75]

Completely agree, couldn't have put it better!!

[@johndoyle1969]

I’m a little bit tipsy but still sober enough to say I’ll pass.

[@twraia]

Personally I've never had issues with "little attempt to make the bracelet matches the case" aesthetics with these skin diver type cases. They work very well to my eyes. In fact, since this is a common "problem" with skin diver cases, you can even say that this is more an aesthetic feature than a problem.

[@tivobelievo]

I *believe* that the "scratched caseback" is actually a scratched plastic caseback protector. But yeah, peel off that protector, and that caseback will surely scratch up... as casebacks tend to do. 😕

[@ams914]

A caller GMT is nice if that's your use case, but if you travel, it yields no advantage of having a quick-set hour hand. It's really nice to just jump the hour hand without hacking the movement. So if I'm gonna get a GMT, that's the feature I want it to have. And you track a second time zone with the GMT hand over course set GMT 0 and the bezel turned to the proper time zone. When people say you can track a third time zone, you really can't. You can only track a second one, it's just a matter of how you choose to do it.

[@JHamilton791]

I think the dial and engineer-ish bracelet are beautiful. However, after ordering and receiving an SPB143 a couple of years ago, I am fully off Seiko. I had to send it back due to a very misaligned dial, bezel insert, AND chapter ring. That's the only time I've done that and was so disappointed I didn't want a replacement. I don't spend that kind of money often and that was the most frustrating experience of all of my watch collecting.

[@brianmsahin]

The dial, bezel AND chapter ring? That seems a bit strange to say the least. If only one of them is off, the others will look off too, maybe that's what you mean. I cannot imagine the dial being off as the misaligned date window would stick out like a sore thumb to even the sleepiest quality controller. My guess is your chapter ring was off which made everything else look off, which is good enough reason to send it back anyway. Advice from a big Seiko fanboy, never buy your Seiko online, always buy it from a dealer and check it before you part with the cash, and never buy from grey market dealers like Jimashop, they always get the misaligned ones as they buy them cheaper on consignment and when they sell them cheaper than Seiko dealers, there is always a reason....usually misalignment.

[@TerenceHughes4501]

@JHamilton791 Where did you buy the watch?

[@tomislavm2873]

spb143 doesn't have marked chapter ring.

[@TerenceHughes4501]

@@tomislavm2873 Yeah I think we can safely say that this is a hater making up stories

[@ernesttravers7517]

Just watched the video on Bentley Mark 6 cars The comments were turned off But I wanted to say that it is a very well made informative video It mentioned the poor quality steel available after WW2 which rusted from the inside out I knew that, but never hear it mentioned The photos were great, particularly the blue car Thanks very much and congratulations

[@Watchtrain]

It looks like the protective plastic is still on the caseback which would definitely show what looks like terrible scratches under the macro. Beautiful watch though! I'd pay $600 for it but $2500AUD? Bloody hell!

[@ODocker]

Spot on review! Surprised you didn't draw parallels to another recent Seiko 'anniversary' release - the SRPK17 (or 'original' Seiko 5). Similar '70s styling - cushion case, custom period bracelet, friction bezel (timer, not GMT), raised, applied indices, nice levels of finish, that together create a striiking, very unSeiko look. But the big difference is the price - about a third of this one. Makes it easier to swallow another tiny, recessed, almost unusable crown - just like the original!

[@bolchert]

I was wondering the same thing. I thought a review of the srpk17 would also come up, but it never did...

[@OneOfThem]

I'm not sure why so many people are quick to give a pass to small watches that are thick! I get that everyone has different taste, but saying that the watch thickness can be forgiven because of a short lug to lug makes no sense to me. If anything, a small watch should be thin. When a watch is sub 40mm diameter, but over 12mm thickness, it just looks like a meatball on your wrist. This one is very firmly in the "not for me" camp of watches.

[@scottsj4625]

I think it is 1000 dollars USD too much for the watch. You can get much better GMT watches for a lot less. The only expensive seikos worth the money are with the spring drive movements. No one else that I know of makes anything like it.

[@1968gadgetyo]

Grand Seiko are not the money. They'll depreciate the moment you walk the shop. Look out for second hand market. It's much better priced.

[@scottsj4625]

@@1968gadgetyo You are right about Seiko's secondary market. Almost every Seiko I own was purchased used in very good to mint condition and a huge saving to when they were new. I don't have many. I have some old early 80s that were gifts from my Grandmother when I was in high school. One was for my 16th birthday when digital watches were popular in the early 80s. Seiko is the brand that got me into watch collecting in the early 1990s. But now I can't justify the pricing which is out of control in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, they do have gems that are a decent value, just hard to find. I have a friend who collects 1960s King Seikos, they all are high beat 28,800 BPM even back then.

[@HP-vh3ez]

Piękny zegarek 😍

[@caktaylor]

I'd probably instead get the new Oceanographer GMT from Bulova. It has a similarly retro look, bi-directional ratcheting bezel, Miyota 9075 "traveler's GMT" movement, and it costs a bit less at retail. (And you shouldn't pay retail for a Bulova.)

[@TonioToutBeau]

I had this watch in my hands while visiting Japan last week and pondered for over 1hr to buy it or not and ultimately decided to walk away and got a Vintage King Seiko instead. The look of that watch is amazing, the dial is beautiful but I agree with your assessment specially looking at other options vs this one. If it were 30% cheaper, I would have purchased it.

[@alastairheptonstall7982]

I’m planning a work trip to Japan next year and a vintage King Seiko is absolutely on my radar. What model did you buy and any advice on where to shop in Japan?

[@TonioToutBeau]

@@alastairheptonstall7982 For Tokyo Jack Road but lot's of places in Akebono. Tachibana has a great selection of KS.

[@KrishAwesome9]

Thanks for the canadian shoutout - took a couple of polar bears (vodka and peppermint shnapps) for the game during the video!

[@Laz_Arus]

I quite like the design language and colour combination. Two things stopping me from considering putting one in my collection ... the size is a tad too small for my liking, and the over-reaching asking price! Next please Seiko.

[@glennpettersson9002]

You must be a carpenter Jody because you've hit the nail right on the head 👍

[@AwkwardHorology]

I was torn between this one and a grand Seiko 9F GMT. Happy with the choice I made, but still want to sample this one too 😉😎

[@jefdadams]

You made a good choice. As a happy sbgn005 owner, I own a few caller GMT watches, but as a frequent int'l traveller, a true GMT is where it's at. And quartz accuracy ~7s/yr makes this watch my daily wear.

[@AwkwardHorology]

@@jefdadams yes another 9F quartz lover! 😎

[@veloway]

not a fan, and I would NEVER pay anywhere near 1k for a seiko. First off there are so many AWESOME Longines at and below 2k I ‘d never really go near a Seiko much over $600 US

[@Barbecuejag]

Far nicer Seikos out there for that price.

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

I might just have bought one....

[@whatsinanameish]

I have an original dated to September 68 that was gifted to me from a retired Delta pilot that probably hadn't been worn since the 80's. It needs a rehab service something firece, but no one around me will touch a Japanese movement watch. I need to find someone to mail it off to.

[@seanhickling7340]

At that price? Not a chance. No seiko (excluding GS) is worth that amount. Seiko once meant quality and value for money. Definitely doesn't mean that anymore.

[@1968gadgetyo]

Seiko seems to be grifting with 'limited editions', 'collaborations' and 'special release'.

[@wingi7722]

It's a good faithful retro. Don't like the gappiness where the lugs sort of meets the case but I guess it's "Just Like The Original". :D

[@BennyLlama]

I've also sworn off seikos over 1k because I don't see the value 99.99% of the time but this one and the new SARD019 are drop dead gorgeous. The SARD would make a phenomenal dress watch, even at around $1500 USD. Both are actually tempting me 😅

[@ajmarion]

I got the MM200 GMT recently (SPB381), and IMO that’s a Seiko worth paying over $1k for. The case finishing is amazing, and the bracelet is surprisingly good for a Seiko. Glad to see they’re putting a little more effort into their bracelets!

[@kennkingg]

Incredible watch and incredible video like always!

[@davidrosenblum2178]

Actually, I do occasionally wear a Seiko when I jet-set… the SFK001. It’s quartz, has a ”true” GMT complication, sapphire crystal, and everything lines up. And it’s dead accurate. So they can do it right. Why this one looks so good yet falls so short, well…that’s Seiko for you. At least in keeping with the original they went with odd numbers on the bezel so no puzzling ‘24.’ That I definitely approve of. Cheers!

[@graack68]

Regarding the highly polished caseback with scratches… There is clearly a plastick sticker on the caseback. Take it off and I’ll bet there are no scratches on the back.

[@chu88y1]

Wait til Erebus rolls out their premium piece!

[@anthonysmithyman372]

The cost of these Seiko reissues really irks me, so what if its a limited edition!! That lume Pip at 12 o clock has Seiko's quality control written all over it, at best it's a £400 watch for me Jody.

[@earthenjadis8199]

Short answer is no. Long answer is NO. You don't stick watches on the timegrapher anymore but I would have liked to have seen this one on the Weishi.

[@collarsncolours]

I know it's silly, but I do like the idea of owning a traveler's GMT more just so that I can do the fancy trick of changing time zones without hacking the movement the two times I'd need to during the year

[@SampleTracks2224]

4:43 I guess everyone missed the caseback sticker that has all the scratches on it!

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

Including me. Phew!

[@xpdchief7698]

Great review! Very nice watch. Faithful to "the original watch". At the end of the day I'll keep my Steinhart you reviewed a couple of years ago.

[@ThemysteriousMrP]

Defo needs the discount and a watch collector in the mix to make it a buying option. Unless of course you fall in love with it. Theres not alot out there that looks quite like it looks wise which i think also makes it a nice addition to the watch box. Nice review Mr M.

[@PhantomObserver]

Okay. I have something similar looking in the Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary. Not a GMT, but a limited edition for $500CDN, which is a much more reasonable price for a Seiko.

[@adk7962]

It’s gorgeous. It’s a little overpriced. It had a weird lug length. It’s a Seiko folks. Thanks to Mr. P for lending it to you and to you for the great review!

[@ctdavis3277]

it kinda looked like most of those scratches on the case back were on the plastic film. Is that not the case?

[@alastairheptonstall7982]

I wish Seiko would go back to bringing upgraded dials and crystals with the 4R line of movements like they did in the King Turtle. All these 6R based watches are outside my price range when you see what Seiko can do for around $400.

[@Mike-In-O-Town]

Nope. Not shelling out a grand for a Seiko of any type. Royal Seiko, different story. Nice pics though Jodie.

[@jarrodwest5733]

TWO AND A HALF THOUSAND DOLLARYDOOS! Even with a discount that's in Christopher Ward or Tissot territory :/

[@AK_Russki]

And let's face it, even tho it's a pretty bastard and has all the heritage blah-blah woof-woof, it has inside a 50 buckaroonie movement at most with loose tolerances and inconsistent timekeeping, so definitely better get a watch with a infinitely superior SW200, like your mentioned CW or even better yet a Squale GMT.

[@AK_Russki]

SW300* series

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

Yeah, CW Sealander GMT? Very different of course, but no comparison.

[@jarrodwest5733]

@@JustOneMoreWatch exactly that. I'm probably biased as the Sealander is a bit of a grail for me, but I still can't imagine many people looking at it side-by-side with the Navigator and saying "... I'll take the Seiko, thanks"

[@TheTrueHasenfeffer]

Great video. Made it to the end. Now I'm knackered. Cheers, everyone.

[@PaulVonRieter]

It’s pretty. Thats about all it has to offer for the price. Aside from the sapphire crystal… this piece doesn’t offer much (if any) value for the money.

[@ikeman5774]

I really like the looks of this watch. However, When I look at the Seiko as an acquisition, I think to myself, there are other watchs out there I like equally, at a much lower price.

[@taham33]

The only thing I could think of watching the video was the Vostok GMT and how I should try and get one

[@Tangylives]

For that much i can get a lightly used Grand Seiko or a brand new Citizen Chronomaster. You need to really love this design to buy it.

[@watchalot919]

It's a lovely watch, but I would rather spend my money on a Chris Ward C63 GMT

[@thatsawesome2060]

I am from Malaysia but I don't really know how trade or money exchange work, but watching a lot of Japan watch review from US, and UK but when i see it sold at our local market abd try to exchange it to Dollar or £ i get most of this watch were sold cheaper in Malaysia, but anyway compared to our average salary its still expensive though.

[@bigwangmark]

It's a beautiful looking watch. Who did Mr P buy from to get the discount locally? Or online?

[@johnzimmerman1819]

What a cliffhanger! Guess I’ll have to keep watching 😊

[@drebarthelotte5712]

Im Canadian. So i puffed every time you said "original". Some would say I'm stoned. I'm not stoned enough to buy that watch. It is very nice but like you said.

[@AlexanderB.]

The friction bezel probably was the right choice. Misalignment is all I'm saying.

[@rleiro]

Thanks for the review, Jody. It's a nice watch, but if you ask me, I will wait for the Erebus GMT whenever it's released. I am sure QC will be top notch, and much better value for the money. 😉

[@joespart4782]

I gave up on seiko after they started raising their prices. As well as making tons of limited editions . I used to recommend seiko all the time . Now there are way too many micro brands that are better value and with good designs .

[@timfit33]

Gorgeous watch, but i just struggle with the 3rd hand on GMT's, and even though i have a skinny wrist, it is a bit too small. Add the price tag, and it isn't for me. I can totally see why people will buy it, though.

[@beedeviled1896]

Nice watch but I’ll take the Bulova Devil Diver GMT that can be had for less than 1K. Also has a better high beat movement, and a true GMT for those who care.

[@TCL_Dasler]

. 'just like the original'... I'm gonna need another bottle of Malbec

[@plainnsimplme]

Seems like a homage to a particular Vostok amphibia. Arguably with a better dial.

[@jimdog9020]

The closest I can get to this watch is my snxs79k with my budget unfortunately. It'll have to do for now, oh well. 😤 I like my snxs79k though so not too bad lol.

[@jtmwatches1330]

Nice review. it is "Navigator timer" not "Navigation Timer" however.

[@gorillasinthewrist]

I think it’s a decent looking watch, good movement and specs. The usual odd penny pinching stuff, unsigned crown, pin and collar and limited micro adjust. Without wishing a fan boy pile on, at this price, 4000 issue doesn’t feel that limited. Not watch of the yea for me, respect to those who’s opinions differ

[@philiplauzon1743]

The SPB383 for me is the best Seiko yet

[@zachtan]

Damn, looks like I'll just have to build my own

[@chollister08]

Tried this on at my AD in Naples last weekend , not impressed, it wears small the bracelet isn’t price appropriate and it generally feels like a $500 watch at best . Also not impressed with the 6r54 I have the SPB381 (Green GMT MM200) with this movement and it runs about 30 seconds slow.

[@kinkhao]

Must appear a lot different in the hand as the face to case ratio looks way off to me. Odd mash up of diver, cushion case, and semi-dress. Even the colour looks dull. A lot of appreciation for it in reviews though. There’s clearly *something* to it.

[@ThePurple1968]

take exception to your discounts. most people will get 10%. because you are in the trade you get extra discounts. normal people don't. lastly, the case back as no scratches, there is a plastic seal on it!

[@1250GSX]

In my humble opinion, the best watch of the year is the Longines Legend Diver 39. Perfection.

[@anthonywhitney634]

Jody, will you do a best watch of the year countdown or something?

[@brianmsahin]

It's very nice Jody.........just like the original watch. 😉

[@ODocker]

Finally, I understand why Seiko discontinued the SKX ! They'll wait a few years, then ‘reissue’ the same barebones 200 M diver in a limited edition of, what, 20,000, and sell them for $2000 a pop to grateful, adoring fans. And, best of all, on a cheap, hard rubber strap, printed dial, and no hacking or hand winding - just like the original. Genius marketing !

[@JustOneMoreWatch]

That's pretty much the strategy mate.

[@ajc9387]

Surprised Jody's a bit lukewarm with this one. In person it really is an exceptional looking and wearing piece and, in my opinion, well worth what they're charging. There are times when having Seiko on the dial results in a needlessly inflated price, but I don't think that's the case here. In fact it may be the opposite, if this had a Swiss luxury brand name on the dial I don't think anyone would bat an eye at $1500.

[@gori277]

Might be putting my foot in my mouth here but it looks to me like the caseback still has the sticker on so how can it be scratched? Looks like it's the sticker that's scratched...

[@garydoherty600]

Gorgeous watch but ……. I’m one of those people who thinks a gmt has to be a traveller gmt - that’s what they were/should be imo. I bought a lovely Farer gmt but it was a caller. Just couldn’t love it. Looking at a Lorier.

[@mercster]

Thanks, I have alcoholism now. Just kidding, I had alcoholism before I watched this video. Thanks Jody!

[@Cravenfr]

Not into watches for long but I'm already tired of Seiko's limited edition marketing, on top of that I discovered some model I like are restricted to some local market. 😣This is why I don't own any Seiko yet.

[@jaysteels]

I honestly don't really see the point of a caller GMT - at least not to the extent of justifying its existence. I do travel a lot for work and wear a Grand Seiko GMT watch. It's very practical indeed!

[@franciscomoliner1296]

Good looking watch, put in an NH-34 and a 600€ max price and you've got a winner. Hear Seiko! Regards

[@a.haifisch5114]

The problem with the movement is, that Seiko had a hi-beat, traveller GMT movement in the Presage Sharp Edge GMT in the same price category. It is disapointing step back.

[@thetattedpharmacist3215]

After just last night resizing a razor wire bracelet from Uncle Seiko, I’ll take the pin and collars any day, and I NEVER thought I say that 😅

[@DisplayKeesBack]

Looks very good! Thanks mr P!

[@kerpowski1]

Love the watch, hate the price, even with a 30% discount. I'd like to see Seiko make something similar-ish with the NH34 and priced under 500 canadian pesos.

[@johncoote5134]

Great review as ever

[@russellharris5072]

I can see how Mr.P got the discount with the corrosion on the tip of the second hand.........................................

[@boxsterh]

It's not a bad watch, but it's not the best watch of the year. This leaves me uninterested, and the limited edition of it means it won't even be remembered in a month

[@MerlinsTeaboy]

So many Seiko's now have bracelets that haven't been designed for the watch, the speedtimer is one of the worst offenders.