SeikoMilitaryReview

This Seiko 5 Military Style watch is fitted with the 7S26 autowind movement. The watch is all Stainless Steel including the Bracelet which has been replaced here with an 18mm Hirsch leather strap.
The case diameter is 35mm, is 10 mm thick, 40mm across lugs and weighs 90 grams with the bracelet.
This sample was purchased from Wayne Lee in Malaysia for $100 US including shipping.

The Case is finished in a satin texture and has an engine turned screw back with the usual six tool engagement points. The Crown is set at 4 o'clock position and is not screw down. This arrangement offers some protection to the crown, being set away slightly and also provides a talking point

The 21 Jewel Movement has been examined but is not shown here because basically it is boring to see More of an ugly duckling, since it performs well enough. I believe it is 5 or 6 beats per second - certainly not high beat. In 24 hours it has gone about -1 second which certainly is encouraging, I expect this to change as the watch beds in but it is exceptionally good. The watch does not hack and cannot be wound by the crown. The virtue of this movement is its performance in the price range and could not include any degree of finishing. I must say, however, that the inside of the back and the surface of parts of the movement carry abrasion marks which point to bulk storage of components resulting in such cosmetic damage during manufacture. Externally, the watch is immaculate.

The sound of the bidirectional winding mechanism is quite evident. However if the watch is shaken gently along its spindles axis there is quite a lot of end play sound, probably from the winding weight. This is more than I have heard from any other auto I have, and this is my first 7S26, so maybe it is normal for it.

The Dial is not pure black, but is a dark satin finished grey which does not create any dial reflections. The dial printing is all in near white and the Seiko logo is a raised silver block. The Day/Date window is clear and well aligned.

The white Hands have impressed Lumibrite type material as do the dots at each hour position. The dark performance is good but not as long lived as other Seikos I have seen. The hour dots fade to nothing after about 3 hours, but the hands can still be read after 5.

The mineral glass sits very slightly above the bezel.

The dial is very easy to read but in my opinion does not need the inner 24 hour markers. Without these, it would be perfect.

The actual dial is 28mm diameter and a small area of the glass above 6 0'clock has 'SEIKO 5' very lightly etched into the under surface.

The Bracelet delivered with the watch is satin finished and of the usual deploy type clasp. The centre links are folded material and the width starts at 18mm and tapers to 16mm.

The usual split pins are used to link it together and provide adjustment.

Strangely, the only polished surfaces of the whole watch are the sides of the clasp - why, I cannot understand.

The quality of the bracelet is commensurate with the cost of the watch.