New Seiko 5 SNZF15 Today

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I have been playing around with the Seiko 5 line while waiting to get my first Rolex later this year. I ordered a Seiko SNZF15J1 a couple weeks ago and received it today. From what I understand, this is a fairly new line with 100m water resistance and non screw in crown, sort of like a "mini-diver". Made in Japan.

Seiko 7s36b movement, 23 jewel. Non hack/non handwind.

I have to say that I am not very impressed by this watch.

1. First thing I noticed was the squeaky bracelet. I have a Seiko 5 with a folded link bracelet that squeaks but I thought this would be a higher quality bracelet as it is "solid link". Every time this watch moves on or off the arm it squeaks, which makes it sound cheap.

2. Notice in the picture how the links are actually created not as a solid piece but by folding sheets of metal. Some of the links were not folded precisely and the end of the link doesn't match up. The links just don't feel solid.

3. No solid end links!

4. The bracelet is connected to the clasp with folded metal pieces. Doesn't look very sturdy.

5. Metal in clasp is paper thin. Hinge in clasp is small and cheap looking with no end caps on pin. Loose and squeaky.

6. Hard to get the pins centered in the links. When removing some links it wasn't hard to drive the pins too far in and out the other side.

7. Rotor does not spin freely enough. I had this problem with my last Seiko 5 and ended up having to send the watch to Seiko for repair as the movement locked up.

8. Rotating bezel feels sloppy. Does not have a crisp action/click. Hard to lock onto a second marker.

9. Some lume dots on the dial are off-center on the silver circles they are applied to. Results in some having an incomplete silver border (moon shape).

10. Lume on hands is splotchy.

Other than that, it seems to be a fine watch. It is not what I expected from Seiko and I think in the future I am going to stay away from their "5" line as it seems to be the economy line. Next up will be their SKX007 real diver. We will see how the quality compares.

I will report back regarding the accuracy later.

Pictures: (Sorry about the fingerprints)