New Seiko 5 SNZF15 Today

[rbox]

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)

[Brushpup]

..."Other than that its a fine watch"....

I didn't see anything positive here, so what's fine about it?

Hey guy, I'm not sure what you expected for the money but they are what they are. I've had a few Fives an no problems at all. The movements 7S26 and 36's are very robust. They vary in accuracy, but expect it to be 10-30 fast per day for the first month or two, and sometimes after that they settle in. Personally the ones I've had were great values for the dollar. Not highly impressive, but decent little watches. Maybe you can enjoy it a little while before your ROLEX comes in.

[Robertf]

Sorry to hear its not what you had hoped. You should prefer the SKX007 its an excellent watch.

[Sperry]

I absolutely abhor their economy bracelets.

I did, however, recently pick up a used Seiko SGF523, and after taking the inside surfaces of the
jubilee bracelet to my Cratex Rubberized Abrasive wheel, it is more comfortable.

Another inexpensive Seiko with folded-link oyster links is actually comfortable but I've
ordered a solid-link Oyster reproduction to try [endlinks made for the Seiko watch].

Maybe the new watch would make a decent present for a nephew, and you could look at the Seiko Spirit line?
Very fine workmanship for the price [$300-$400].

[rbox]

Originally Posted by Brushpup

..."Other than that its a fine watch"....

I didn't see anything positive here, so what's fine about it?

Hey guy, I'm not sure what you expected for the money but they are what they are. I've had a few Fives an no problems at all. The movements 7S26 and 36's are very robust. They vary in accuracy, but expect it to be 10-30 fast per day for the first month or two, and sometimes after that they settle in. Personally the ones I've had were great values for the dollar. Not highly impressive, but decent little watches. Maybe you can enjoy it a little while before your ROLEX comes in.

For $182 I expected it to be at least as well put together as a run of the mill$60 quartz watch from JC Penney.

[Kokyuryoku]

Are you sure it wasn't a knock-off?

[rbox]

Originally Posted by Kokyuryoku

Are you sure it wasn't a knock-off?

Yeah it is genuine. Got it from Chronograph.com.

[shaggy]

Originally Posted by rbox

Yeah it is genuine. Got it from Chronograph.com.

send it back then!
if its not what it should be it needs to go back
no matter if its a $20 or a $20,000 watch is irrelevent in my opinion if its not right it should be put right by the maker

[cody p]

there's been some talk "here and there", that seiko has started to slip in the 'bang for buck' category. that being said, seiko 5 is seiko 5, and i think you are expecting too much from your watch. a 'diver like' watch without a screw down crown, that should have been the first warning not to take the watch too seriously.

[rbox]

Originally Posted by cody p

there's been some talk "here and there", that seiko has started to slip in the 'bang for buck' category. that being said, seiko 5 is seiko 5, and i think you are expecting too much from your watch. a 'diver like' watch without a screw down crown, that should have been the first warning not to take the watch too seriously.

I guess I shouldn't have expected too much. I was wrongly expecting it to hold up to the Bulova I picked up earlier this year at the mall but apparently it isn't in the same league.

It's all fun anyway! When the Rolex comes it won't matter!

[cody p]

Originally Posted by rbox

I guess I shouldn't have expected too much. I was wrongly expecting it to hold up to the Bulova I picked up earlier this year at the mall but apparently it isn't in the same league.

It's all fun anyway! When the Rolex comes it won't matter!

don't be so sure - if you look hard enough, you'll find flaws in your rolex.

[rbox]

Originally Posted by cody p

don't be so sure - if you look hard enough, you'll find flaws in your rolex.

True!