Seiko 5 GMT: Don't buy!

After over 2 weeks of wearing the Seiko 5 GMT I have come to the conclusion that this is the very best and the very worst that modern Seiko has to offer.
And here's why.

⭐GET THE WATCH HERE:

⭐GET THE SKX HERE (still out there but they don't come out cheap):

⭐GET THE SEIKO 5 SRPD SUITS HERE:

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[EmilianoGuevara]

One thing is clear: no matter what the company does, Seiko buyers will always complain

[arlofs]

Dude, it’s a Seiko 5, not a Grand Seiko. It now costs less than $300. It’s an awesome watch for what it is.

[TheMainCore]

To anyone reading this: Buy the GMT! It's a great watch and an amazing value for money. I have a huge watch collection and this one is a keeper.

[aytugakkor]

I have seikos with hardlex that has been worn daily for over ten years. And as a pilot when you wear them
in a cockpit there are many hard points that your can hit your hand and watch easily while you move your hands(to reach buttons, switches etc witout looking). And never managed to scratch one. Gmt function is only a gimmick. I can do all time zone calculations from my mind(also flight computers have digital clock for ETA:). So if it looks good its just enough for me to buy:)

[michelarock]

Hello, as you said yourself, one has not necessarily the same POV than yours. I bought the 3 different Seiko 5 GMT last week. I have had no QC issue at all, all is perfectly aligned. The price is quite fair and I got 10% reduction on each watch. All the 3 watches are beautiful, and work perfectly. I am a big fan of the cyclop because at my age (63), reading the date without a cyclop is a big challenge. Hardlex is not a problem unless you want to use your watch as a hammer. By contrast, covering the bezel with hardlex is a very nice idea and makes it shiny and original. All in all, I really love these 3 watches, which for me near the perfection fat this price point (the only drawback for me is the stamped steel clasp). I hope sincerely that Seiko will put on the market in the next few months additional variations (black and green, black and red for instance) that I will buy instantly. Best.

[CubsCapo]

Recently got one on sale through a department store for $280 and couldn’t be more pleased, the black dial on the jubilee is simply stunning. Movement +1 or 2 seconds depending on the day. I can agree the clasp isn’t great but I own plenty of other seikos and personally have kinda gotten used to it. Don’t really see the clasp as a dealbreaker for day to day use. Also I think on paper sapphire crystal sounds better from my experience hardlex doesn’t disappoint. I’ve owned multiple seikos with it for years and they still look flawless after daily wear. If you like it buy it, don’t get too hung up on the specs

[davemck]

I think a major problem with Seiko's QC is the AD's and boutiques. If they were doing their jobs properly they'd be returning misaligned shipments and declaring them unfit for purpose. A very fair review Olivier. Thanks.

[paulbreedveld]

Nice review! I think it is a beautiful watch for a very good price. I do agree with some of the drawbacks, especially with the misalignment. But I find other drawbacks rather a non-issue. Who cares that a movement is not built up from ground but a modified nh35 movement? I think all affordable watch companies do that. Why entirely redesigning a thing that works well? And then the cyclops that is Rolex heritage? Who cares what the heritage is - if you like it then buy it. I also think buyers do not mind in which of their watch categories SEIKO puts the watch - either you like it or not; who cares how SEIKO advertises it...

[horasano]

İt is a great watch! I have it and also I have longines quadriple which is 5000$ but seiko much more comfortable than it, so I didnt listen to you, I just wanna write after seeing the topic. I mean dont agree with you!

[nickhannam]

I got mine 1 day after the release here in the UK on the 2nd. I love it. It is pretty, solid links and only +6 seconds a day. No screw down crown so every morning I reset at minus 3 secs. I have no alignment issues, my GMT hand lines up beautifully. Midnight they all line up spot on, and the date is changing. You must have a Friday afternoon one 😞

[edteachr]

Thanks for the review. I really like the watch but have decided not to buy one, mainly for the reasons you have highlighted. The one thing I disagree with is the cyclops being Rolex heritage (which it well may be); but for my old eyes, a decent cyclops is a life changer. It is like seat belts in a car… Volvo invented the seatbelt but all cars use it for obvious reasons. Thanks again for a well-balanced video.

[chrisoz]

I like mine and disagree with most of what you’ve said, apart from the bezel not having a ratchet. You are right, that’s a big drawback and I knock mine all the time. I have no QC issues and I knew what I was buying when I pre-ordered. I like the cyclops as my eyes are not so good, it’s useful for me. The only complaint I really have is that the GMT hand moves when you reset the time to local when travelling. That’s the bit I didn’t know and rather surprised me. I would have thought that it should stay at the hour you set it, independently of the local time setting.

[matijakajtez]

I got this watch a week ago, I have had 50+ watches, price ranges from low end to mid/high end and I have to say for 500$ this is an awesome watch. Looks amazing too. Its a true gmt from seiko with a great movement for the price and yes theres a few kinks but its great overall

[liambyrne]

Just snapped this up in the back Friday sale for £300. Never pay retail for seiko they are always discounted if you are prepared to wait. It always surprises me when people complain about the retail prices for new releases. Be patient, shop smart you will get a bargain.

[edgarramirezalittlebitofev]

If you keep looking for Stuff about your next watch YOU ALWAYS WILL FIND NEGATIVE VIBES FROM OTHERS. Just buy what makes you happy

[jeslaks]

I'm loving my ssk003. I'm lucky to have purchased one that was Made in Japan. Everything lines up perfectly. I have slept with my watch on and have not had any issues with the bezel moving. Just ordered the Marinemaster ratcheting clasp to swap out. I am considering on replacing the hardlex to sapphire in the future but for now I'm just enjoying the watch. 👍

[Getouttahere]

At that price point, sapphire crystal, milled clasp and a cap on the seconds hand is the least they can do. They have been riding their brand name into the swamp because of greed and laziness 🤷🏻‍♂️

[OnetoWatch]

Great video and lots of interesting points for and against buying this watch! I’m glad you do however like it enough to keep it!!
I received mine on 1st July the day it was released and have worn in nearly every day since then. Like you I’m keeping mine! I love it and have become more fond of it as the month has gone by.
I have no problem with any of the negative points you’ve mentioned: no QC issues, love the friction bezel, happy with hardlex, like that my poor old eyesight can see the date through the cyclops etc.
My only negative is it not having a screw down crown. I get it’s not a diver watch, but my perfect holiday watch needs to be able to spend lots of time in the sea without any worries!!
Overall, I’m glad I bought it - and with my 15% discount think I got a real bargain!
Thanks for a great video. I’ve subscribed and looking forward to catching up with some previous videos 👍😎

[stevequigley]

Rhis watch is perfect for me, I am 70 years old so the cyclops is essential, the GMT is perfect as I always need to know the time in adifferent time zone, I like dive style watches and a little misalignment does not matter as I can't see it anyway and a few seconds out on my decompression time doesn't matter, I have been wearing hardlex crystal watches working underground for years and change the crystal every ten years or so if I need to or not. I have six seiko divers both auto and quartz and they all do the job they are designed for.

[firefly]

I love my Blueberry!! But didn’t like the heavily-beveled crystal, nor the slightly garish bezel insert. So I swapped those out for a no-bevel domed sapphire, and a sloped ceramic 24 hr Batman bezel, both from DLW. Very pleased with it. Love the dial, love the GMT hand, love the 40 hour movement, love the hacking and hand winding, love the solid link bracelet, I’m even happy with the clasp!! Very pleased with the whole watch.