Seiko 5 SNK807 - Best Mechanical Watch Under $100? - Long Term Review

The Seiko 5 SNK is the best value mechanical watch available today. It is enjoyed and appreciated by both people who are totally new to watches as well as to seasoned collectors. As such, the SNK has built up a huge following and is a top recommendation for those looking for their first mechanical watch. I have owned mine for over six years now and still consistently wear it in my rotation of watches.
I bought mine here:
www.tkqlhce.com/click-1006525...
0:00 Intro
0:35 Can it Hang with Rolex, VC, and Patek?
2:14 What makes it so good? Origin Story
4:10 Dial Design
5:02 Setting the Day/Date and Time
6:04 Slow Date Change and Recommendation
8:17 Hardlex Crystal?
9:12 Display Case Back
10:53 Movement Overview, Cons, and Solutions
12:53 Power Reserve Considerations
13:53 Summary

[@yvonjasser]

This is the very first mechanical watch I bought, I like the fact it is small, perfect for hiking

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Same here! My first mechanical watch and I have worn it hiking, backpacking, etc! Glad you are enjoying yours too

[@williamjohnson5968]

Wonderful video. Thank you 🙏 even more excited about my purchase! Your enthusiasm is contagious.

[@TheTimelyFocus]

My pleasure! Enjoy your new Seiko!

[@theclash181]

Phenomenal review. Very very thorough. I just purchased one of these and I’m even more stoked to get it now! Thanks for the precautions too…

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Glad it was helpful! These old Seiko 5s definitely have some serious cool factor about them and I am glad to hear you will be able to enjoy your own as well!

[@pranavgautam96]

Damn! This video turned up on my front page. And I gotta say that even though I didn't see the full video cause I've already seen like a thousand videos on this watch :p, I bloody loved the production and the top notch content quality.

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Thank you Pranav! I am so glad you enjoyed it! Haha, yes it is a very popular watch so I do not blame you

[@UrbanWrench]

You made me get this watch. It’s gonna be my first automatic, and I was kinda juggling with this and the Casio Duro, I know, two different worlds of watches, but yeah. But after watching this, I’m sure I’m not gonna regret it. You’ve also put down quite a historic class for me..

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Glad to hear it! Yes I think you made a great choice out of two great choices. These Seikos and Casios both get a huge amount of respect from watch enthusiasts and for good reason. Personally I like the mechanical aspect of the Seiko but both are great. I am excited for your new watch - it will serve you well and for a very long time!

[@UrbanWrench]

@@TheTimelyFocus thanks for the words.. You’ve earned a subscription from me!

[@shatner99]

Did you indeed get it? Any thoughts?

[@UrbanWrench]

@@shatner99 sadly no, everywhere I looked to buy this from, they had it sold oht

[@stealthtowealth2167]

Excellent video mate, great production and awesome watch

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Thank you so much! You guys have all been so encouraging in the comments section of my videos and I really appreciate it! Yes, it is a great watch. It may be by far the cheapest watch in my collection, but I really enjoy wearing it and it definitely gets its fair share of wrist time!

[@jonathanhealey2492]

Thanks for this informative and interesting video.

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Absolutely Jonathan! As you can tell I really like watches so it is quite a pleasure producing and sharing these little videos in my spare time. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Ant1_0]

Thank you for the video I just bought mine a while ago! Your video helped me make my choice!

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Right on! Glad I could help and enjoy your Seiko! It is a classic

[@Ant1_0]

Love the content you make too🙏

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Thank you so much!

[@scottdavis_34]

Hello! I found your channel as a recommendation for the Tissot Gentleman. I own that watch too (went with a leather band for mine) but like yourself love it! Really enjoyed this review as well! Great story on how you obtained your Seiko and how it remains a special part of your collection. Really surprised on how inexpensive it is. Definitely subbed to your channel (love your presentations) and look forward to your next review!

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Glad to hear you are enjoying your watch as well! Yes, it is pretty impressive what Seiko is able to deliver for so low a price. Thank you for the encouraging words Scott!

[@nuralam4059]

Hl V

[@drewsleyy3836]

Amazing review!! And you seem like such a sweet guy :) I just bought a Seiko SPB121, so I can’t justify this one right now, but it’s so cheap and cool! Will snag one eventually for sure

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Congratulations on your SPB121! That is such a cool and iconic watch from Seiko! Glad you enjoyed the review!

[@MuhammadHamza-mc2xh]

Beautiful watch, I own the SNK809, hands down agree one of the best watches to own, especially at this price point.

[@blaser80]

I got this same model way back in 2005, with the 7S26A movement for under $50. Still wear it today after 19 years, still functioning well. Hopefully, I can get a few more years out of it.

[@henryperez606]

I have this watch, and I really like it. I think it is greater than the sum of its parts. For some reason it’s just really well balanced, and it feels right.

[@TheTimelyFocus]

I agree!

[@joseluismalagagranda4785]

Amazing Time piece , I got a snk803, I just love it .

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Right on!

[@raykouzel5848]

Where can I buy the exact watch you have on in this video. Blue dial tan leather band. You put out a lot of information! Great job. Ray

[@louismaxell]

just subscribe. hope you goes to 10k and more my man 🔥

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Thank you Louis! So glad you enjoy my little videos and thank you for the kind words!

[@sarjodonar376]

I just bought it yesterday. I really love it... 😭😭😭

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Enjoy it!

[@lance2832]

Great video and amazing watch for the price! Definitely adding it to my list. What strap do you have on it?

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Thank you! This is a strap from Hadley Roma. Not the highest quality but for $18 or so it is pretty good!

[@juliussteuck]

This was my first real watch ever, gifted to me by my grandfather. Sadly, after not using it for a few years because it broke, I lost it in between moving houses. Now I really want to buy it again, but the prices seem to increased a bit...

[@davidbarclay3651]

Moving the hands backward will stall the movement as long as it’s not too wound up. I enjoyed your review.

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Yes, I have used that trick! Very handy. Thank you sir!

[@awtawt2087]

I put my Omega into retirement about 5 years ago when I retired. I bought it new when I was about 18, I think it was £21.00 I didn't want to get it bashed about whilst gardening and working in my shed, so I decided to get a rugged utility watch. After seeing some reviews I chose this Seiko 5, it was only about £54.00 mail order, Its been very good, Like you touched on, I did adjust it as it was running slow, I over did it and it was then running too fast so I adjusted it again, as you say it only needs the slightest touch, so now it is only slightly slow, also what I do is put it on a couple of minutes ahead and then by the time it drops behind time, its then keeping within a decent time range for about a month or so, now I hardly alter it until It comes to adjusting the date when due , I do this before noon. if you do it in the afternoon of course then it changes the date noon the next day, obviously, but it did fox me the first time I did it. Another thing I had to get used to with a watch with a date, it didn't need changing at the beginning of the months following those months with 31 days.

[@TheTimelyFocus]

That is quite the story! Sounds like your Omega served you very well! Yes, the Seiko 5 is a great watch that can be worn in a huge range of settings. Glad you were able to adjust yours to what sounds like are some great tolerances!

[@jessezet]

Just ordered this Seiko, it will be my second Seiko 5! Sadly its not widely available in The Netherlands. I paid €115 for it. Still worth it in my opinion, but still frustrating to see the low prices in the USA. Great job on the video! it was very relaxing and time flew by.

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Right on Jesse! Yes the Seiko 5s are amazing! So much bang for you buck even at the current prices. Glad you enjoyed my video. I appreciate the kind words. Thank you Jesse!

[@sormano3436]

@Jesse Zandberg, where did you get it in the Netherlands? I may be in the market for one :-)

[@jessezet]

@@sormano3436 monsterwatches

[@jessezet]

@@sormano3436 how ever I am looking to sell mine only wore it a few times.

[@miftakhulzufiekurniawan5901]

This is coolest watch at the price, i own this one ☝️

[@jamesmorgan9474]

I've just ordered the 809(black) version, and have a new med.brown leather strap waiting for it. One unfortunate downside to its popularity is that Amazon UK are asking £150 ($206) for this particular watch, but you can still get it for a more reasonable price - I paid £65. Finally, I found your review very informative and enjoyable. The production quality was excellent. You have a talent there! 👌

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Wow, that is quite a hefty sum Amazon is trying to charge in the UK! Mine cost about $60 7ish years ago. Glad you were able to find one for a more reasonable price. Good choice with the brown leather strap - it will look great! So glad you enjoyed my video. Thank you sir!

[@gritsteel4559]

Definitely a legend ...

[@Synic08]

I have the 803... i love this watch.... i got it cause i did have an interest, and price is righf... but this watch wears so goood...

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Right on man! Yes it is an excellent watch. Glad you are enjoying it!

[@itsJonsty]

What band is that and where can I get one? Mine is coming with the webbed navy band and I’d love to get a leather one

[@atsylor5549]

I usually wear a Hamilton khaki king and what I noticed is after a full day of just normal activity my watch is fully wound. Even if the watch spring is completely unwound, after a day of wear it’ll be complete topped up when I take it off at night. But I guess it’s hard to tell if the seiko 5 is fully wound at the end of the day since you can’t manually wind it yourself to check.

[@TheTimelyFocus]

The Khaki King is a sweet watch! Glad you are enjoying it. Yes, the winding mechanisms are pretty efficient. I find the same thing to be true myself about my Kaki Field Auto and Tissot Gentleman (both have a very similar movement). Interestingly I do not always find this to be true about my GS. Maybe this is due to the fact that it is a high beat and thus takes a bit more force or rotations to provide the extra force required of the high beat mainspring. A power reserve indicator on the back of these watches would be amazing! However, especially with this Seiko, that would probably add to the price considerably

[@absar8304]

Hey there, have you used any of the Timex expedition or infantry MDC field watches? What do you think about em?

[@TheTimelyFocus]

I had a number of the Timex watches growing up! Now Timex is trying to move up market a little with mechanical movements, sapphire crystal, etc. on some models which is neat. I have not had any personal experience with these newer models but I do not think they are for me. Until Timex starts moving production out of China I am not interested. If they come back to the US, Japan, or Switzerland I would be interested but right now they are just not quite there. I will admit though that those Timex Expeditions looked cool when I had them back in elementary school and they have only gotten cooler.

[@catlover6298]

I loved your review, but may i ask what strap you have on it?, i want to get my first watch

[@TheTimelyFocus]

I am glad you enjoyed my video! Thank you! Yes, you can pick up these straps for less than $20 on Amazon from Hadley Roma. This is my second one because I wore my first one in the shower and swimming a lot for almost a year which caused it to wear out fast. 18mm is the lug width FYI

[@CaptainLongDongsilver]

Years ago people in the uk would set their mechanical watch each day using the "pips" on the radio ..slightly slow or fast movements were not seen as a problem.

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Oh wow that is really interesting! Thank you for sharing!

[@alstigy]

Awesome review 👌 Where did you get that leather strap? Also what size of strap works best?

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Thank you sir! Picked up the 18mm wide strap from TeddyBaldassarre.com. Cost about $20 and is a pretty decent strap. I wear this watch a couple times a week and after a couple years the strap is holding up just fine

[@alstigy]

@@TheTimelyFocus Thanks! Will check it out.

[@bensmithkent22]

Agree strap and this dial looks good.

[@deepankumar2942]

Hey man iam from india and this watch ks more than 100 more like 200. I tried finding a second hand but couldn't find one. Does anyone have a old dust collecting watch that i could buy and i could only afford 40 oru 50

[@ternaldo]

What makes the SKX007 infamous?

[@aguswidi9316]

Hello, does this watch stopped if i leave it for sleep at night? Or should I setting everyday?

[@TheTimelyFocus]

God question. If you are wearing your watch consistently, it should easily be able to power itself through the night off your wrist. I have found mine to be able to hold about 35 hours of power in reserve with normal wear.

[@lasatanoteca]

My favorite watch, I have the 4 versions (green, blue, black and cream), it is functional, gives date and day, it is easy to read by having the minutes marked, it comes from a legendary company founded in 1881, it is automatic, its movement It is inhouse… .what more could you ask for the price? greetings from Mexico

[@TheTimelyFocus]

That is so cool! Which one of the four do you find to be your favorite?

[@lasatanoteca]

@@TheTimelyFocus It is difficult to choose, I like the cream a lot, even its clear dial makes it look bigger than it really is, I like black because the date and day indicator is black, that gives it a great look, I think I can not choose My favorite, blue looks amazing and green I like too 😅. I can even tell you that the straps that everyone mentions as the weak point of these watches I like, they are rustic and have that touch of simplicity that I am looking for.

[@lasatanoteca]

@@TheTimelyFocus To be honest, in this age where people are looking for status in complex and luxurious objects, turning to see these small functional watches, but that they come from a historical company and are tiny marvels of engineering is something refreshing and satisfying.

[@danieljimenez1989]

@Soundtrack there is a red version, too. It was an Amazon exclusive from a few years ago. It's hard to find but I think the dark red dial also looks very nice. I just bought the cream one a few days ago, hoping to enjoy it in a couple of weeks.

[@lasatanoteca]

@@danieljimenez1989 It's a great watch, the cream version looks incredible... enjoy it

[@eleventy-seven]

I bought a Olive one a couple of years ago with no regrets. Not waterproof. Ok but dont wear it in the shower or go swimming. Survived rain in WA.

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Right on! The olive green dial is quite cool I think. Good pick. Haha, correct - not waterproof. Only water resistant to 30 meters but that has not stopped me from waterskiing and swimming with mine. Maybe I have been lucky but so far no problems at all!

[@leonardomeireles3980]

Seiko no longer produces this model, right?

[@bensmithkent22]

Good video. However you were 18 only 6 years ago. Holy hell.

[@HonNey-xi4ef]

If you like this watch wait till you get a Seiko srpj87 or 89. Completely on a different level.

[@shatner99]

This guy, the watch, or the updated, larger version?

[@TheTimelyFocus]

I have not had hands on with the new much more expensive version yet but they looks sweet from what I have heard. I think at that point the case for going with a Hamilton or Vaer would be pretty strong. This is the original affordable in house field watch from Seiko and a legend of a watch that makes me partial to it.

[@WanderingBackpacker]

Currently it's for 200 dollars on Amazon!

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Wow, that is wild! This is reminding me of the Seiko SKX007 that for a long time was cheap, then got discounted and is now, relatively speaking, quite expensive

[@ivanoxx]

whats the difference between SNK807 and 809

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Just the colors. This model comes in blue as I have, black, green, and a cream color. Each has a different number.

[@morgan.enfield]

807 is blue, 809 is black (805 green, 803 beige)

[@musinote8133]

Where I will get it under 100 dollar?

[@morgan.enfield]

creationwatches (check often, they have special offers)

[@madsukri83]

Mau.....tapi Lom ada duit nya...semoga ..bisa beli....

[@scottborders7934]

This watch cannot keep time unless you have it professionally regulated. The lume is useless, and the rotor is obnoxiously loud.

[@peteglanton9259]

It’s like a Volkswagen Golf. Classless.

[@ratdad48]

Your friends never heard of a mechanical watch? So those deep thinkers you hung with thought watches in the 19th century all ran on batteries? Sheesh. Good lord.🙄

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Haha, yes it sounds crazy to me now but most people do not know or think about those things

[@user-us6rs9iz3r]

Made in China??

[@TheTimelyFocus]

Thankfully it is not. However, most versions of this watch, including mine, are made in Malaysia.

[@firdausdin17]

I’m from Malaysia, and buy this watch at Malaysia. Unfortunately mine does not made in Malaysia (did not have Malaysia word at the back) 😅