When I was choosing my first automatic watch, it was crazy to even consider something other than a Seiko 5. I was looking for a dress watch with an automatic movement, classic watch face, a display caseback, and style that could range from casual to formal. The SNK789 checked off all of those boxes and has become a core part of my watch collection. When I saw it on sale on Amazon for under $50, I had to get it. Since it was a Seiko, I also knew I was getting a high-quality watch at a great value. After a couple months on my wrist, here is my Seiko SNK789 review!
Seiko 5 SNK789 Review: Specifications
| Watch | Seiko SNK789 |
| Movement | Seiko 7S26 |
| Dial Color | White, Light Blue (SNK791), Blue (SNK793), Black (SNK795) |
| Case | Stainless Steel |
| Case Width | 38mm |
| Case Color | Silver |
| Thickness | 11mm |
| Crystal | Hardlex |
| Resistance | 30m |
| Band | Stainless Steel Bracelet w/ Hollow End-Links |
| Lug Width | 18mm |
| Complications/Features | Day-Date, Display Case-back |
| MSRP | $185 |
| Lowest Price This Year | $50.34 (11/24/17) |
Case & Dial
The watch is contained in a simple round 37mm stainless steel silver case with 18mm lugs. The watch crown is recessed into the case at the 4 o’clock in typical Seiko 5 fashion. After four months of constant use, the case and Seiko’s Hardlex mineral glass have been quite durable with any major scratches.
This particular watch features a white dial with the standard Seiko 5 day-date complication in a single window. Silver hour markers tipped with luminescence along with black minute markers line the outer dial. The hour and minute hard are both silver swords coated with luminescence, while the second hand is bright red. When fully charged, both the lume of the markers and hands give off a bright green in the dark.
One thing that is important to mention is that the dial of the SNK789 and the other watches in this particular Seiko 5 collection are not monochromatic. This is very deceiving in some stock photos. The outer dial is definitely a bright white, but the inner dial has almost a darker more silver-white tone to it.
The SNK789 is a part of a collection with the same dial in different colors. There are also over 250 different Seiko 5 dress watches available on Amazon with many watches under $100 (http://amzn.to/2ELAADv). If you don’t love this particular style dial, but like general features, you have plenty of other options.
Strap
The SNK789, like most of other Seiko 5 dress watches, comes on a stainless steel bracelet that matches the case. However, the bracelet has hollow instead of solid end-links. This is understandable considering the price of the watch, but I immediately opted for a third-party leather strap.
Movement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh_8BFDcEkg
The real draw for any Seiko 5 is it’s yeoman’s entry-level automatic movement. The SNK789 uses the automatic 7S26 21-jewel movement with a 41+ hour power reverse. While it is not super accurate (+/- 20-30 seconds/day), it makes up for it with its reliability and value. The case also features a display caseback, one of my favorite watch features, so you can see everything going on inside the case!
Where to Buy
Seiko 5 SNK789 Review: Summary
Pros: Exudes value with one of the best entry-level automatic movements available, Seiko quality
Cons: 37mm case size may be too small for a large wrist, hollow end-links on stainless steel bracelet
Conclusion: If you are looking for an automatic dress watch, a Seiko 5 is your best option under $100. I absolutely love mine on a leather strap!
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