Seiko 5 SNK063J5

Watches in the Seiko 5 line have become hugely popular, thanks in large part to their amazing value for money. The collection has been very successful in Arabic-speaking countries, which is why Seiko regularly produces special variants with so-called Arabic dials, i.e., watches with Arabic-Indian numerals. Among these, reference SNK063J5 has become a particularly popular model.

The watch was produced until about 2019, and was available exclusively in the Middle East. It is therefore extremely rare to find this timepiece outside that region, which makes it ipso facto a coveted collector's item, especially for Seiko fans in Europe and North America.

The stainless steel watch measures 34 mm in diameter and has an integrated link bracelet. Like all Seiko 5 models produced prior to 2020, the SNK063J5 is powered by the caliber 7S26 with a day-date display. According to Seiko, the timepiece is water-resistant to 30 m (3 bar, 98 ft).

The SNK063J5 is a relatively small watch. Its stainless steel case measures 34 mm in diameter and 11.5 mm thick. The distance between the upper and lower lugs is just 39.5 mm. The watch is therefore an excellent model for smaller wrists. The crown's location at 4 o'clock gives the wearer full freedom of movement.

The SNK063J5's Integrated Bracelet

One of the SNK063J5's unique features is its integrated bracelet. At the lugs, the bracelet has a width of 21 mm, but it tapers toward the buckle to about 16 mm. However, due to the integrated design, the end link connecting the strap to the watch is only 10 mm wide. Keep this in mind if you plan to switch out the bracelet for a third-party band.

Seiko issues the watch on a three-link stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp including a safety mechanism. The links are folded and satin-brushed except for the polished edges of the center links, which correspond to recesses located at 6 and 12 o'clock on the bezel.

The SNK063J5's Bezel

The polished bezel offers great contrast to the satin-brushed surface of the case. The flanks of the watch are also polished, and a polished chamfer on the outer edges of the watch creates a slick transition from brushed to polished surfaces and lends the SNK063J5 an elegant look.

The Seiko SNK063J5's Dial Design

The SNK063J5's most important feature is certainly its lacquered black dial with silvery white Arabic-Indian numerals. After all, this is where the descriptor “Arabic dial” comes from. The numerals are accompanied by a track of dot indices, which are luminescent at five-minute intervals. The slender dauphine hands also glow in the dark.

As is common with watches in the Seiko 5 collection, the day-date window is located at 3 o'clock. The weekday can be displayed in your choice of English or Arabic. The window is framed in polished stainless steel.

The “Seiko” inscription is located just below the 12 o'clock position, as is the Seiko 5 logo that is typical of models from this period. The inscriptions “Automatic” and “21 Jewels” appear just above 6 o'clock.

Caliber 7S26

The SNK063J5 is powered by the caliber 7S26. This reliable movement can be observed at work through the case back, which, like the cover glass, is made of Seiko's own mineral glass Hardlex. The caliber ticks at a frequency of 21,600 vph and provides the timepiece with a power reserve of 40 hours.

This movement is the simplest automatic caliber in the Seiko catalog, which brings with it certain limitations. There is no stopwatch function, for example, and no option to wind the watch manually. If the watch runs out of power, you'll need to do the famous “Seiko shuffle” – that is, you'll have to shake the watch lightly back and forth to get it started.

Watches from the Seiko 5 line are among the most affordable automatic watches on the market. Nevertheless, you'll have to dig a little deeper into your pockets for a SNK063J5 than for many other Seiko 5 models. The watch's official MSRP was once around 100 USD, but as of late 2022, you'll need to budget about 200 USD for one in mint condition.

If the SNK063J5's 34-mm diameter is a bit small for you, the Seiko 5 SNKP21J1 makes an excellent alternative. This stainless steel watch measures 42 mm in diameter and is water-resistant to 50 m (5 bar, 164 ft). The crown is located at 3 o'clock. Another significant difference is that the SNKP21J1 comes with standard lugs. Price point: approximately 230 USD.

Seiko also offered the SNK063J5 in other color variants, including editions with white, blue, or golden dials. Versions with gold-plated cases and bracelets are also available.