Seiko SRPE53 "DressKX" Review | Best New Seiko 5! + Strap Alternatives

[@yoinkhaha]

I found these looked higher quality in person than they do on video. They look like a really nice option, and the extra WR is nice. I don't think I'm gonna pick one up because if I get a shiny Seiko 5 I think I'd like it to have a shiny metal ring around the day-date window.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

That is often the case with watches! Yes the date-window could use a metal frame. But it does have a beveled edge so that’s OK. Maybe go for a version that has the brushed bezel instead of the polished one? Those are not as ”shiny”!

[@rs71blackbird]

i love the simplicity of this watch combined with that beautiful blue dial. This very well could be my future watch.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

There’s something about it that really works! This one might be coming up for sale soon if you’re interested in buying second hand😂

[@cjsansoo7]

I've had mine for about a year and I love it. Because of my small wrist I had the seller change the bracelet to a black strap. This timepiece looks great and more expensive than it is. Good timekeeping for an automatic watch. Thank you for the review. Also blue is my favorite color and this watch is the perfect shade of blue. Also thank you so much for showing the different straps. I have to admit I never thought of changing to different straps to change the look of this watch. Great idea!

[@NordicWatchChannel]

That’s great! I agree with your points! How accurate it is comes down to luck, but glad to hear you got a good one :)

[@Mr1MOA]

I've found that many of the Seiko 5 bracelets are lack luster, but the watch itself is great. The good thing is that these watches are strap monsters, alot of great options. I have the anthracite dial version and love it.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Totally agree! Both entry level Seiko watches as well as Orients have lack luster bracelets. I guess I prefer that they make the savings on the bracelets so that the watches themselves are solid. You can always replace the bracelets, like you said :)

[@amazingzone8659]

Awesome video. Thank you for showing the watch and all the different straps. I think I've made up my mind between SRPE53 and SRPD51

[@leeyihao5601]

so which one have u choose

[@amazingzone8659]

@@leeyihao5601 SRPE53, much more versatile in terms of how you can wear it. Plus I'm not a fan of the pointless bezel on the SRPD51

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Thank you! And I think you’re making a good choice :)

[@dalliizz]

Nice review bro! I got this beautiful watch for 240 (retail 275) euro at my local ad. Im very happy with it. My first automatic watch :)

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Thank you! Great choice on you first automatic, congratulations mate! :) Lots of watch for 240 euros! Where are you from if I may ask?

[@dalliizz]

@@NordicWatchChannel Hey im from the Netherlands

[@NordicWatchChannel]

@@dalliizz Cool! Just fun to get to know where people are watching :) Never been to NL! (yet)

[@smaksim]

thank you for showing how watches look with different straps 👍

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Happy to help!

[@CallSignJammer]

The Black Bay 36(blue) is my grail watch. It’s just not in the cards for me financially so I was looking for a cheap Chinese homage to the bb36, glad I pulled the trigger on the 53 instead. It’s quite lovely & scratches me where I itch.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

I can really see this scratching that bb36 itch. Glad to hear that you opted for this instead of a cheap Chinese homage. Not that experienced with those but I can imagine that they lack that ”charm” of ”being their own watch” if you know what I mean.

[@CallSignJammer]

@@NordicWatchChannel agreed. I was soooo close, too. Because some of them have decent seiko movements, too. I’m a happy camper. Now it’s time to grab a couple of strap options and enjoy this 53 for many years.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

@@CallSignJammer Yeah they are for sure fantastic value for money and the specs are not the thing that are lacking. There’s just something that bothers me with fact that they don’t have their own ”personality”.

[@Watchmade]

Such a great release from Seiko. I was really surprised about the quality. Would recommend to check the partly matte bezel versions. There is a black SRPE67. It looks even more elegant and valuable with that brushed/polished mix on case and bezel.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Hmm I haven’t seen that one! I’ll have a look that sounds interesting😎

[@Watchmade]

@@NordicWatchChannel there is also a blue version with same brushed bezel. I don’t have the reference in mind but both brushed bezel version come with only nato strap. This is the main difference as well.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

@@Watchmade Seems to be the SRPE63! I hadn't noticed that there were differences beyond the strap! I was wondering why they would give it a different reference number, but now it makes sense :)

[@robaudi20v]

I have just come across this chanel and was looking for a review of this exact watch. Thankyou 🥰

[@NordicWatchChannel]

My pleasure! I’m glad to hear that :)

[@ephraimchama4756]

thanks for the video nice to see the watch in different straps

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Glad to hear you liked it! I'm thinking I'll do this kind of strap showcase with every full watch review from now on!

[@tone1822]

Nice review Anders, what a beauty that thing is

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Thank you! It’s a great release for sure👌🏻

[@Cameraville]

Thank you for showing all the straps. Hi from Tampere.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Glad to hear it was useful :) Thanks! I’ve lived in Tampere 1,5 years👍🏻 Great place.

[@yajkushal1995]

I’m really confused between this , srpd53k1 and srpk33 . Which one should I get ?

[@NordicWatchChannel]

I would opt for this one. Not a huge fan of the "SKX style" Seiko 5's. But that's just because I've owned an SKX for so long and Seiko just keeps pumping out 1000 different colors of the same watch. But it all comes down to what you're looking for in a watch. If you want a diver style watch, go for the SKX style, if you want a more generalist/everyday kind of watch, go for this one!

[@jwcchannel462]

Thanks for the review Anders, it is great and it is very helpful for me because you know i really consider buying a black or grey version since it appeared last year

[@NordicWatchChannel]

My pleasure mate! I’m really liking this release. I like the blue, but the black/grey dial might be even more of a ”strap monster”. The blue doesn’t work with all colors of straps so...

[@jwcchannel462]

@@NordicWatchChannel @Nordic Watch Channel Exactly, the blue is great but I currently have too much blue dials, that's why. adding to that, I was going to buy a khaki king, so this one in black will feel the gap, I already have the brown leather strap of the khaki king which I think will match it perfectly. And of course the bb36 is one of my top 5 watch so 🤣 The only question I have Is about the sea urchin, I don't know if this new one, will send it in the back row regarding wrist time

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Well it might🤔 My sea urchin is really getting no wrist time at all. But maybe more because of my skx009 and mini turtle. This one competes more with the sarb033 for me! But can’t sell the sea urchin, my first automatic😂

[@jwcchannel462]

@@NordicWatchChannel very interesting about the sarb, it's the same for me but I like so much I will always wear it especially during the summer now I use it on nato b

[@NordicWatchChannel]

It’s a great watch for sure, but just a little bit too large for my wrist for my current taste😥

[@yajkushal1995]

Between this and timex Q panda chronograph model no TW2W53300UJ, which one should I get ? Really confused.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Personally I would prefer this one. But these are completely different watches. Timex Q is powered by quartz and this one is automatic. Also the Timex is a chronograph while this one is pretty plain. It all depends on what you prefer, can't go wrong really :)

[@damonwilliams2487]

Hello I'm a beginner watch collector and I just picked up my first Seiko watch the SRPE57 from Macy's for $200 USD. Do you have any other suggestions under $500?

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Hi! That’s a nice Seiko to begin with! And at a good price too! Congrats! Hmm well that depends on what kind of watch you’re looking for! Mechanical/quartz - Diver/Pilot/Field/Dress/Everyday watch and also what kind of size and stuff like that.. What size are your wrists and what kind of watch are you looking for?😎

[@damonwilliams2487]

I'm looking for either a Field, Diver or Everyday watch. I would prefer an automatic, eco-drive, or solar I hate having to change batteries. My wrist size is a 7 1/2

[@NordicWatchChannel]

@@damonwilliams2487 ok! There are tons of options for you in that case! Check out the Citizen Nighthawk in my video of my watch collection😎 it should be a nice fit for your wrist if you like the dedign and that it’s eco-drive! I could probably list up 15 Seiko alternatives for you also😂 Look into something like Laco for traditional fliegers maybe? For divers you have a bunch of alternatives too. Seiko divers, Orient Kamasu, Citizen pro master

[@NordicWatchChannel]

@@damonwilliams2487 Actually, go check out this video and even Teddy’s blogpost about this subject! I think that’s a great place to look!👍🏻 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2qngqesh56Kmrs

[@WATCHingJames]

It’s a great watch and fantastic as a dressy daily.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

I agree 100%👍🏻

[@eduki]

Awesome! Do you have the link of the store where you found the desert NATO strap? I think it looks perfect! I´d like to try it on mine ;)

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Hi! Couldn't find that exact one but found a better one! You can click the Vario link in my video description and go see the "Twill nylon" bands and find the sand colored one :) Think it looks even better!

[@lupo1185]

third comment in a day, enyoing your content man (the finish accent reminds me of watching interviews with my favourit band ;) ) - The new SRPE's are real stunning watches, I got a great deal on the 61 (grey dial, Nato-Strap) and ordered on Tuesday. That colour is really the best of the bunch in my opinion + the ones on the Nato have brushed bezels. I paid 180€ incl. shipping and customs from Japan to Germany and it will arrive in under a week if DHL is to be trusted. While at it I bought a fitting strapcode-oyster (solid links, solid endlings, solid clasp, screwlinks), set to arrive the same day and litarrily can't wait (thats why I watch all the reviews on the SRPE's currently ;) ) - hope this combination will look as good in the flesh as it does on pictures. Even more Tudor-Blackbay with that one. Already considering buying a strap from watchgecko, the grey-striped one you showed must look awesome with the grey-dial (maybe the darker-shade but it is a real strapmonster I believe). I was really enjoying your review, specially liked the sound/music for the Negatives and during the Lumeshot (you could turn the 70's-porn-sound to 11 though next time). As with the SNKL23 I'm also considering adding a double-dome for this one, would give it even more class.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Haha I am enjoying your comments as well! Love interacting with my viewers! Congrats on the purchase, that's probably the one I would choose if I would make the decision again. Nice price too! Haha glad to hear you liked the music! Double dome could work well for this one too 8) May I ask what this favorite band is that you mentioned? :)

[@lupo1185]

@@NordicWatchChannel in the end the watch arrived crazy fast, ordered in Japan at Tuesday noon, arrived on Friday, 08:00 in the morning, couldn't believe it - today the strapcode-oyster arrived, fits perfect, really can't stop looking at it, though the clasp feels slightly overpowering. That band would be 'Amorphis'

[@NordicWatchChannel]

@@lupo1185 Nice! Gotta love it when things go as fast as that. Yeah my experience with a miltat bracelet had kinda the same thing. Huge clasp but I got used to it! Okay cool! I listen to Amorphis sometimes too!

[@XjohnjohnX88]

Hi! Can you ask you where did you buy it? Thanks.

[@lupo1185]

@@XjohnjohnX88 The watch I bought directly on amazon.jp - don't know, if they still stock these. Not J1 though.

[@LONEWOLF-yq9uk]

What are size of those straps and the lug of the watch please???

[@NordicWatchChannel]

20 mm! :)

[@georgekapralos3809]

Hello from Athens. Nice review and beatiful watch. I got this for 230 euro at my local ad.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Hello George! Thank you for the feedback! That's a good price, congrats on the new watch :)

[@Mat-sz9hs]

Hi! I got the same watch and i notice the rotor makes a subtle rattle/zippery when it spins. Is it normal?

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Hmm hard to tell by just reading a description.. If I were you, I would go to a Seiko retailer and try some watches with a 4r36 movement and listen to them and compare :)

[@Mat-sz9hs]

@@NordicWatchChannel Hi! I just did, same sound. More like a bearing sound, like very fast clicks

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Good, seems like you're all good then :)

[@gmotionedc5412]

Awesome. I wish I liked natos but I just don’t. They don’t taper which is why they are not as comfortable as a good leather strap such as from Vario. Anyway I love the blue dial I have the guilt dial but now wish I had the blue. You should compare this watch with the Tudor 36 or 41 with blue dial they look very similar.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

That's a good point! Never thought about the tapering fact. That would be interesting, but I don't have access to the Tudor and I've actually sold this watch :)

[@patricj951]

Thanks for a very valuable review of this interesting watch! I am new into watches but have got several watches within the last months. All of them are light powered(Citizen and Seiko). But now I consider to add an automatic to my collection. Automatic watch like this one, with the backside window showing the mechanism is really cool! But I don't yet understand: an automatic means self winding by the natural movements of your arm, right? Why then the need of winding with the crown? Or is it an option for faster winding, or necessary when the watch is completely unwinded?

[@NordicWatchChannel]

My pleasure! Glad to hear it was useful! The winding with the crown is completely optional and not something that you have to do. Many automatic watches don’t even have the hand winding feature, for example older Seiko 5’s and many more. You can just as well start a unwinded watch by shuffling it around a bit and then putting it on the wrist :) It’s just a nice feature if your watch has stopped and you want to make sure it doesn’t stop during the day.

[@patricj951]

@@NordicWatchChannel Thanks for explanation! This watch is very nice and I consider the grey or silver option, they also look very good. I just think it's a pity they don't have sapphire crystal. Especially an automatic watch is suitable for daily use. A quartz runs for years and a light powered for months without using them, but an automatic around 40 hours I read. This means every other day is too seldom to keep it running! And with a daily watch I think it's even more justified with sapphire to avoid scratches. Now I saw it is possible to mod these watches and replace the hardlex with a sapphire. But that will significantly increase the price, especially if you can't do the work yourself. And: if you apart from that want to change out the bracelet to a better, the final price for the watch will be maybe doubled!

[@NordicWatchChannel]

All very valid points! However, I've had good experiences with hardlex and mine have not scratched often (at least not badly). I would not go and replace the crystal on this watch. I'd rather just keep it as is or then get a slightly more expensive watch instead that comes with a sapphire from the factory :)

[@patricj951]

@@NordicWatchChannel Ok! By the way: I think I read somewhere that it is possible to polish away small scratches, is that right?

[@NordicWatchChannel]

I have seen some videos where people polish really scratched hardlex crystals with some diamond paste and a dremel or something.. however not sure if the classic poliwatch and cloth works.. might be too hard a crystal for that.

[@am8119]

Vieläkö kello on sinulla ? Jos on niin mitenkäs luotettavuus näin 2 vuotta myöhemmin, vieläkö suosittelet ? Kiitos

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Moi! Ei ole enään mutta suosittelisin edelleen. Olen jopa harkinnut harmaatauluisen version ostamista kun on hieman ikävä tätä mallia :D

[@am8119]

@@NordicWatchChannel Kiitos vastauksesta. Ite kanssa kattonut tuota harmaatauluista. Mistäköhän sais halvimmalla ? Olet ilmeisesti lopettanut videoiden teon.. tätä oli ilo kuunnella ja seurata, oli paljon kiinnostavaa kellosta.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Moikka! Kannattaa tutkia Amazonin eri maiden sivut. Itse olen myös tilannut esim skywatches ja creationwatches. En itseasiassa ole lopettanut, mutta elämän muut kiireet on mennyt edelle. Pian alkaa pukkaamaan uutta videota :)

[@am8119]

@@NordicWatchChannel Hieno juttu. Kiitos

[@jonboy8181]

Thanks! Love that last nato, where is it from?

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Thank you! I think it’s from cheapestnatostraps, but I’m sure pretty much any grey seatbelt nato will do the trick :) Stores that come to mind are CNS, watchgecko and strapsco.. I have an affiliate link to strapsCo if you want to try out theirs : StrapsCo.com?ref=144&

[@technoboy21]

I have the grey sunburst version with an Islander bracelet combined - incredible value and look :)

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Awesome! That grey sunburst version is a great looker!

[@satvikkhare1844]

Can 22mm straps fit on this watch.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

No, only 20mm straps!

[@gmotionedc5412]

Awesome!! I have a black/gold coming!!👍🍷

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Nice! That's a cool choice! Hope you enjoy it and wear it in good health :)

[@inlandwatchreviews5745]

OK I paid retail for this watch. I love Seiko this will make number 4 and will be my dress seiko .

[@NordicWatchChannel]

It’s a good deal even for retail price! Good choice and glad to hear that you are a fellow Seiko fan 😎

[@bloodline2ntfour]

Good vid nice display of straps also. Could you leave the links to your straps in your next video. 👍🏿

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Thank you! Sure, I can do that! Is there any strap in particular that you would like to know? I can try to find it and share :)

[@bloodline2ntfour]

@@NordicWatchChannel the grey nato at the end. I've just purchased the same watch but with the grey dial.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

@@bloodline2ntfour Nice choice! Congrats on the purchase. The grey seatbelt nato in the end is from a site called cheapestnatostraps.com :)

[@bloodline2ntfour]

@@NordicWatchChannel thanks i will check them out. Keep up the good work 👍🏿👍🏿

[@NordicWatchChannel]

@@bloodline2ntfour no problem! Thank you, I will💪🏼

[@JapalenoJames]

great review!

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Thank you very much!

[@aaronho01]

Wrist size?

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Hi! My wrist is about 6,5 inches or 16,5-17cm in circumference😊

[@gmotionedc5412]

I love my guilt version👏👏🍻

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Haven’t owned a gilt dialed watch yet myself, but they do look really nice!

[@jfilm7466]

Tack så jättemycket. Ska köpa en grå till jul.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Kul att höra! Den gråa är kanske den snyggaste av alla alternativen!👍🏻

[@AnnutCaeptis]

Use a uncle seiko jubilee bracelet on it. Looks a lot better

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Thanks for the tip! This watch has however made its way to a new owner. Traded it to a Seiko Srpe43j1 and paid a little extra in addition to this watch😁

[@technoboy21]

BTW, links aren't solid, yiu can see the thin cuts on the sides. The bracelet is really cheap so I recommend replacing it as soon as you get the watch.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Oh really?🤨 I saw that sneaky folded link on the bracelet of my SNZF17 but didn’t notice on this one. Have to check it out!

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Forgot to write this earlier. You are right! It’s a folded link bracelet similar to the one on the snzf17 anf snzg13 for example. Funny that I missed that😁

[@Jeo_Thomas]

The bracelets are folded not solid

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Yes I made a mistake when I filmed this video, another viewer corrected me and I wrote it in the description😊 Thank you for correcting also! It’s good so that I cal let people know I make a false statement in a video!

[@Andrey-5581]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Thumbs up!

[@قلميالحر-ع8د]

ساعة جيدة seiko automatic

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Yup!

[@toodie535]

wish it came smaller. "wearing daddy's watch" is not a great look on an older woman

[@NordicWatchChannel]

I agree that they could make a 36mm version of this like they used to make the smaller skx013 for example.

[@khalifa2080]

Only thing stopping me is donkey movement and crystal.

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Hi! I personally think that the 4r35 movement is fine. It's one of the more reliable movements out there, especially at this price range. I get the dislike for hardlex though.. you can get 300 euro/dollar watches with sapphires for sure. That being said I have had good experiences with hardlex crystals and they pretty rarely get scratched on my watches.