So yes, it’s been done to death and everyone knows how amazing it is blah blah blah. I admit I bought into the hype buying this Seiko 5 SNZH55 on an impulse. A few months later it hasn’t seen too much wrist time. Don’t fall into the hype! It’s not a bad watch. Not even close actually. They can be found for ~150€ and that’s how much you should be paying for one.

You get the whole Seiko 5 package. Horrid bracelet, 7s26 movement and mediocre finishing at best. You also get a workhorse movement and a huge array of aftermarket parts to choose from to make it truly yours. This watch is definitely a looker. I mean the sunburst blue, the matching bezel and the chunky 42mm case definitely have something to say. But it’s not the “in your face” poorly executed sunburst. It’s subtle when it needs to be and thanks to a 45mm lug to lug doesn’t really feel too big on my 16cm wrist.

First thing you should do if you buy a Seiko 5 SNZH55 is change the bracelet. Dear god Seiko out did themselves on this one. It’s 22mm wide with minimal taper, a horrid finish and a cheap double pusher clasp. I suggest a shark mesh to really make this watch pop. I think I am just skeptical because it’s quite far from my usual piece. You could say it’s a bit of an extroverted watch. It has a solid presence just barely feeling slightly unjustified at times. Maybe it’s my small wrist but I always feel a bit… Showy wearing it. If you like a watch that demands attention this one is for you!

The strap options are endless! It’s certainly a piece for the spotlight. But still demands respect from other watch enthusiasts due to its heritage. To the normal person it’s a beautiful watch. To us it’s a beautiful Seiko 5. And personally I do respect someone with a Seiko 5 on their wrist. This watch is that bloke at the party that chats up everyone, is perhaps overdressed and uses an excessive amount of hair products. But everyone seems to like him. He is a good lad that enjoys people. He’s not a “lad”, he’s not pretending to be someone he’s not he just has a bit of an extroverted personality. He’s a people person.

This watch is that. It’s a people’s watch. It goes out every Saturday night and is always down to hang out but it’s also there if you’re feeling down and need someone to talk to. Yes, it has its faults and can be mistaken for a “Chad” but it’s just a good watch that likes to hang out and be there for people. Wait where was I going with this? Excuse the rambling.

My point is that it’s easy to overlook this watch as a blatant, cheap Fifty Fathoms rip-off but it’s more than that. It’s still a Seiko. It’s still reliable and trustworthy. It wears the Seiko 5 badge and it does so honourably. I believe that it’s been overhyped. But not in the usual way. I think that we’ve all been judging it for its looks without looking at its personality. I might not have fallen in love with it I admit. In fact, I am still trying to get it off my hands! But I think that it’s not the watch, it’s me and I’d like to stay friends with it… Shit I did it again.. Anyway, it’s a great watch, if you think that it fits into your collection go right ahead and buy it. If you just happen to like the Old Fifty Fathoms like me then think about it again because you might just end up friend zoning it like I did.