Seiko 5 SNKL Automatic Watch Discussions | Drop

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Showing 1 of 24 conversations about:

Seiko 5 SNKL Automatic Watch

FULL DISCUSSION

Qahnaarin

Oct 1, 2017

First, for the price it's well worth it. You'll find the K1 version out there for cheap but these are the J1 versions (Japan - more sought after than K1). The SNKL15J1 is the white face and silver indices and hands version of the SNKL23J1 (Black face). This is probably the best buy from this batch with the SNKL17J1 coming in 2nd and SNKL21J1 in 3rd (I'd rate the SNKL41J1 tied since it's very sleek and nice). All three have the best dial details (pin strip / tuxedo stripes on face) with finish that belies it's price. Here's the SNKL23J1 for reference with a few different straps. The first one is on a vintage leather strap while the second is on a navy blue NATO strap.
EDIT: Added new wrist shots with new straps. Scales Nato (blue wave) Strap and Chocolate Brown NATO Leather Strap from cheapestnatostraps.

Oct 1, 2017

Farrago

184

Oct 2, 2017

Qahnaarinare those your pictures? if so, whats the strap in the first one?

Oct 2, 2017

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Qahnaarin

Oct 2, 2017

FarragoYup those are my own wrist shots. The strap is from a local watch strap store in my country called "Asprey". I got it because it looked like a worn out baseball glove. I saw one something close that's sold by Hirsch.

Oct 2, 2017

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c0rnelius

1060

Oct 2, 2017

QahnaarinThe SNKL23 (I had a K). One of the first watches I fell for after seeing that two-textured dial. It was in a value proposition article on one of the watch blogs a few years ago. It is stunning.

Oct 2, 2017

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c0rnelius

1060

Oct 2, 2017

QahnaarinI think it's worth noting though that your watch pictured above (SNKL23) has a different case than the one being dropped here. You can tell by the lugs. Pointed on the SNKL23 and rounded on the SNKL15/17. Also has a different bracelet than the one that came on my SNKL23 (more jubilee like). Maybe these are J and K differences? Not sure, either way the dial is what's great about this watch.

Oct 2, 2017

A community member

Oct 2, 2017

QahnaarinI'm glad you said the J are "more sought after" rather than "higher quality" which seems to be a common assumption because they carry the "Made in Japan" note. It is also not clear that the J specifically means they are the only ones produced in Japan whereas the K are not. Some have suggested that this denotes watches for a different market (Middle East specifically) and I'm wondering if perhaps there are different rules that allow for the "Made in Japan" nomenclature even if the assembly occurs where all the others are (I'm no expert in international trade law).
QUESTION: Does your watch have Arabic as the second language for the days of the week? Supposedly that is common among the J1 watches. Would be nice to know if these being offered by Massdrop do as well.

Oct 2, 2017

A community member

Oct 2, 2017

c0rneliusBINGO! I was wondering the same thing. But what I think is really going on here is the images being used have had the faces Photoshopped over a SNKL45 or SNKL41 case and bracelet. The description even states that cases should be different between those two and the SNKL21/17/15 models. Also take a close look at all the reflections and highlights on the case and bracelet... they are dead-nuts identical across each shot.
In addition to the lug differences you noted, every SNKL21/17/15 I've seen, including Qahnaarin's "23", has a smaller and more recessed crown smoothly integrated into the case (unfortunately this makes pulling the crown out a bit more difficult and one reason I've shied away from them, though I love the pinstripe face details) . The SNKL45/41 have a larger crown with sharper edges (cutouts?) on either side.
MASSDROP - any clarification you can provide?? Would also love to know if the dials are actually white like they appear on the SNKL41 and 15, or more silver in reality.

Oct 2, 2017

Qahnaarin

Oct 2, 2017

The J does denote as being made in Japan as it is reflected on the dial with "made in Japan" while the K won't have that on it's dial. You'll also see the back having the " made in Japan" mark while the K will have Malaysia on it. As for the case being different, MD is not using the direct picture for the watch. The probably photo shopped the image. Google the 3 I mentioned and you'll see the have the same case as the snkl23.

Oct 2, 2017

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