Seiko 5 or Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic ??

[Choppers]

This maybe an offensive topic to raise for those that own the Hamilton but since i hear the Seiko 5 is that good and that reliable is it really necessary to spend the amount asked for the Hamilton ?? In the UK the 38mm Hamilton currently goes for £360.00, where as the Seiko 5 SNK809 comes in at a much less £62.50.

im currently looking for an automatic WWII era style watch and naturally the Hamilton fits the bill, however i've recently read numerous reviews that suggests the Hamilton isn't too reliable, especially when this supposed 100m water resistant watch is barely submerged in water. Many people also seem to have issue with this iconic American brand now being repackaged by the swatch group. Yet in comparison the Seiko 5 continues to receive nothing but rave rewiews. This would also be my first automatic watch (im not sure if this makes a difference but thought it worth mentioning).

Can anyone also answer the following...
Is the Seiko 5 water resistant ?? (as i've been unable to find any info on this)
I hear the one good thing about the Hamilton is the lume, how does the Seiko compare ??
Does anyone know where i can find the Seiko 5 SNK809 on the leather strap in the picture below within the UK, as so far i can only find this watch on the standard nylon strap which im really not keen on.

Any help as always would be most appreciated

Kind regards


Choppers

[Formerguide]

Well, can't speak to all of your specifics, but I would qualify as follows:

Both are very good watches. At the prices indicated in the OP, Seiko is better value, but overall I believe the Hamilton is the better watch. The dial on the Hamilton seems much nicer and detailed as well.

But again, can't go wrong with either. FYI, super easy to buy the Seiko and simply switch straps.

Dan

[deluxeswiss]

They really are quite different. The Seiko 5 is cool and very simple. I am working on a Seiko 5 movement at the moment. Nothing wrong with them. The Hamilton is a more sophisticated beast and probably more of a keeper. If you go the Seiko 5 then I urge you to shop around as they can be had for very little.

[Likestheshiny]

I assume the Hamilton has a superior hacking/winding movement. That said, I actually prefer the dial on the Seiko, so that's what I'd get personally. I wouldn't go swimming in either, so water resistance isn't a factor, but I believe all Seiko 5 models are officially water-resistant.

If you have any doubt at all, I say go with the much cheaper watch. You're more likely to regret spending too much than too little.

[CitizenM]

All Seiko 5s are water resistant.

What I'd need to know is if this is a current generation Seiko 5, which only started a few months ago I think, which has the the new 4R calibre, which is a lot more sophisticated than the old 7S26.

Even so, and even as a big Seiko collector, I imagine the Hamilton will be a much nicer watch. Sure, it lacks a bit of the "integrity" of Seiko, not using an in house movement and so on, but still, in the end, its' going to be an overall better package. That is hardly surprising given that it costs way more.

If you want a fairer comparison, you should compare the Seiko SARB Alpinist models, which use a nicer 6R15 movement (much nicer than the 7S26).



Those are much nicer watches than the Seiko 5 models and closer to the price range of the Hamilton. Between the Hamilton and the Alpinist, they're both really great values and cool watches. I'd go Seiko, but they're both winners. Between the 5 and the Khaki, if money isn't an issue there, I'd definitely get the Khaki. The Seiko 5 is a great watch, but it really is intended to be an entry level piece.

[natron20]

Is that cream dialed Seiko a modification or can it be purchased like that? If so, could someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

[CitizenM]

Is that cream dialed Seiko a modification or can it be purchased like that? If so, could someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

It's the SARB013. It may be JDM only though, I can't remember. I'd think Seiya would be the one to contact.

[sgtiger]

It really depends on how you plan to wear it. Casual? Suit? The Seiko 5 doesn't work well with a suit or dress shirt, it's too small. You mention water resistance... so if you think you might bang the watch up, I'd go with the Seiko and not worry about scratching the crystal.

[Likestheshiny]

It really depends on how you plan to wear it. Casual? Suit? The Seiko 5 doesn't work well with a suit or dress shirt, it's too small.

I'd actually argue the opposite -- at 42mm, the Hamilton's a bit ungainly for more dressy occasions. It's a sporty watch, and it'll be pretty visible at that size. The smaller Seiko is closer to a traditional dress-watch size.

That said, neither is a formal watch, and if you're going for a sporty look with a suit regardless, you might as well wear a larger watch so that people can see the look you're going for.

Size is a pretty big consideration overall, though (see what I did there?). On small wrists the Hamilton will be large and clunky, and on big wrists the Seiko will be tiny and Elf-ish. A few mm doesn't seem like much, but it has a pretty big impact on how the watch wears. Unless the Op's wrist is fairly small, the Hamilton is a more standard size for a modern watch with that level of sporty-ness.

[sgtiger]

I'd actually argue the opposite -- at 42mm, the Hamilton's a bit ungainly for more dressy occasions. It's a sporty watch, and it'll be pretty visible at that size. The smaller Seiko is closer to a traditional dress-watch size.

That said, neither is a formal watch, and if you're going for a sporty look with a suit regardless, you might as well wear a larger watch so that people can see the look you're going for.

Size is a pretty big consideration overall, though (see what I did there?). On small wrists the Hamilton will be large and clunky, and on big wrists the Seiko will be tiny and Elf-ish. A few mm doesn't seem like much, but it has a pretty big impact on how the watch wears. Unless the Op's wrist is fairly small, the Hamilton is a more standard size for a modern watch with that level of sporty-ness.

Yeah, next time just say you agree with me.

In all seriousness, there was a time when I owned a Seiko 5 and I wore a suit every day. I don't have enormous wrists, and the Seiko felt awkward at best. The Hamilton he's looking at is a 38mm, still pretty small, but bigger than the Seiko. Perhaps he has actually looked at the mechanical and not the automatic? The automatic is 42mm and definitely sports a nicer band for dress wear.

He has mentioned the need for water resistance, which tells me it's being worn with shorts, t-shirts and swimsuits. If that's true, Seiko 5 all the way. Breaking it doesn't break the bank.