The amount of jewels in a Seiko 5 varies depending on the movement used. Watches with the 7S26 movement have 21 jewels, and those with the 4R34 and 4R36 have 24 jewels. Some older, vintage Seiko 5s that use discontinued movements have 17 jewels. What About Vintage Seiko 5s? Having a watch case with so many precisely machined edges that vary in their finish, from brushed to polish, is rare in most watches, let alone watches this affordable. The top-brushed lugs are accented by a polished bevel that really adds some visual dimensions when viewing this watch from different angles.

They were made to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Seiko and became the go-to suggestion for new watch collectors.

Free Strap Adjustment

Oh, and don’t fall into the trap of thinking the more expensive watches are better. In fact, some of the more affordable Seiko 5s are my favorites! Included Bracelet or Strap It’s hard to go wrong with a watch with such classic dimensions that looks great on any wrist, looks great on just about any strap and happens to be one of the most affordable automatic watches you can buy. You may have noticed there are two different types of Seiko 5, the regular with a “5” badge logo, and those with a Seiko 5 Sports logo. How do these two differ? One of the main things that can affect how a watch looks is the dial. Not only do you have to choose a dial color and layout that suits you, but also one with the right finish. Sunburst watch dials can be a bit flashy, as they vary greatly in different lighting conditions, while glossy or matte dials usually look rather neutral. No, Seiko hasn’t discontinued the Seiko 5. They are still in production, however, Seiko has no longer released any new 37mm original Seiko ‘5’ badge models. Instead, Seiko is releasing new Seiko 5 Sports watches, such as their SRPD 5KX dive watch, SRPE DressKX, SRPG field watch, and SRPH29 pilot watchmodels.

However, while the watch will survive for generations, if properly looked after, you will need to have the movement serviced by an experienced watchmaker. This is the case with every mechanical watch, as its series of tiny mechanical parts need to occasionally be cleaned and lubricated to run properly. I’ve worn, tested, and reviewed dozens of Seiko 5 watches, many of which are still in my collection today. With that said, the Seiko 5s are not perfect. They have a hardlex crystal which isn’t as scratch resistant as sapphire, their included bracelets and straps are mediocre and sometimes downright uncomfortable, and the included 7S26 is reliable, albeit basic, and can be inaccurate. It features a slightly “boxier” case design with lugs that protrude geometrically in an almost Rolex-like fashion, making it wear a bit larger and sportier than its 37mm diameter would suggest.

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The watch doesn’t have a sapphire crystal, which helps prevent scratches, nor a screw-down crown, making it a deal-breaker for some. Though, I’ve taken mine on vacation and beat it up. The included hardlex crystal doesn’t have a scratch on it, and despite only having 100 meters of water resistance, I was still able to take this watch swimming in pools and the ocean, without any issues whatsoever. Regular non-sports Seiko 5s. These are typically the “dressier” and older models. Although less modern, these watches are extremely comfortable to wear, and often look a bit more elegant and refined, due to their classic sizing. Thesework best on those with small – medium wrists, with a circumference of 7.5″ and less, but will still look fine on those with larger wrists as well.