Seiko SNK793 Automatic Review – The Complete Guide

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Are you looking for an entry-level automatic watch? The good news is you can find some quality units like the Seiko SNK793 Automatic. This Japanese company has over 130+ years of industry experience and today is one of the world’s biggest makers of watches and clocks including the watch in this Seiko snk793 review.

In this article, we’ll be reviewing the SNK793 Men’s Watch. What will we cover? You’ll learn about the unit’s different features, pros, and cons. After sifting through this info, you can then decide whether or not this is the best watch for your wants and needs.

How big is the global watch market? Last year it racked up over $9.8 billion in sales around the world and is projected to grow more than 1% from 2018 to 2021. Still, the SNK793 is a fraction of the cost of pricey luxury watches.

Seiko SNK793 Automatic Watch Review

SNK793 Automatic Overview
SEIKO 5 Men's SNK793 Automatic Stainless Steel Watch with Blue Dial
  • Classic stainless steel bracelet watch with exhibition back featuring blue sunray dial and day/date window
  • Age Group : Adult ; 36 mm stainless steel case with Hardlex dial window
  • Automatic movement with analog display. Assembled product dimensions (L x W x H):5.00 x 3.80 x 3.10 inches
  • Silver-tone bracelet with deployment-clasp closure
  • Water resistant to 30m: In general, suitable for swimming and snorkeling, but not scuba diving.

You’ve probably heard of Seiko since the Japanese company has existed for more than 130 years. It was founded in 1881 in Toky7o, Japan. Seiko was incorporated a little over a century ago in 1917. Seiko was originally a watch and jewelry shop then in 1892 expanded to clocks. [Source]

What does Seiko actually mean? When translated from Japanese it means both “success” and “exquisite. Seiko launched the world’s first one nearly half a century ago in 1969.

The product in this Seiko snk793 Automatic review features the entry-level automatic watch. Not only is this popular watch affordable but it also includes an eye-catching design.  

The watch featured in this Seiko snk793 review includes a wide range of features. They include a stainless steel case, black dial with glow-in-the-dark hands/hour markers, day/date display, see-through case back, and water-resistance.

The biggest feature is the battery-free functionality that makes the unit “automatic.” The 21 jewels mean the watch gets its power from arm movements or manual winding instead of a battery pack. This prevents the need to buy new batteries over and over (and over) again.

Things We Liked

  • Eye-catching dial color
  • Has aesthetics of a luxury watch
  • Bundled with “gift box.”
  • Transparent watch back
  • Chain has polished silver-tone with good weight
  • Excellent value for the price point
Things We Didn’t Like

  • Not truly water resistant
  • Not super-durable
  • Sometimes doesn’t keep accurate time
 Key Features

  • Illuminated hands/hour markers
  • Automatic self-wind movement
  • Day/date display
  • Water-resistant up to 30m
  • Stainless steel case/bracelet

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Who Use The Seiko SNK793?

Who should consider the wristwatch in this seiko snk793 review? If you’re on a fixed budget or just want to try out an automatic watch, then this is the right watch for you. The price range is under-$100, so it’s basically one of the most affordable watches you can pick.

Are you looking for a “green” watch? If so then consider the SNK793 since it requires no batteries.

A big perk is the value this wristwatch provides. The aesthetics add value including the blue sunray dial, day/date display, and analog display. These features add up quickly and give the Seiko watch the look and feel of a much pricier unit.

There’s more! The SNK793 doesn’t just look good but also performs well. It’s not the most precise watch, but it keeps good time considering the price point. It’s also loaded with over features. They include deployment-clasp closure, water resistance, and deployment-type clasp with push-button.

The top feature of the SNK793 is the automatic feature. If you wear the watch for 8+ hours, your arm movements will actually keep the watch working.  That’s right!

Then there’s the brand itself. Seiko has been around for over 1 ¼ centuries, so it has tons of experience in the watchmaking industry. So it’s clearly better than off/generic brands.

Seiko SNK793 Automatic Review

Key Features | Benefits of Seiko SNK793

Hardlex Dial

An ongoing debate in the watch world is sapphire vs. Hardlex crystal. The latter is Seiko’s in-house hardened mineral crystal and is available in different varieties.

Let’s get to the nitty-gritty. Hardlex is around 7 on Moh’s scale). The big plus over sapphire is it’s quite hard yet more flexible. It’s also sturdier than IOW’s sapphire.

Are there any drawbacks? Hardlex scratches easier than sapphire crystal. On the other hand, it’s more impact-resistant, so there’s a reasonable trade-off here. The bottom line: Hardlex isn’t a “perfect” crystal, but it’s good enough for the SNK793’s price point.  

Watch Face

The face’s design is basic/traditional, and that’s OK. You get a blue sunray dial with day/date display. The analog display might seem dated in the digital age but provides a classic look that’s ideal for different occasions at home, work, gym, outdoors, events, etc.

Price/Value

Like other entry-level automatic watches from Seiko, the SNK793 has a low-end price in the under-$100 price range. So if you want to just try out an automatic watch for the first time, this is a good option.

Besides a low price, this Seiko watch is relatively loaded with features. That includes hardlex dial window, automatic movement, and water resistance. These items all add value to the unit.  

Automatic Movement

The SNK793 isn’t powered by a battery, so if you’re looking for a “green” watch, this is a good option. You could always recycle batteries, but a more eco-friendly option is watches that are battery-free.

The automatic movement means the wristwatch is powered by your arm’s movement.  The watch will also keep a better time if you wear it 8+ hours/day. So just going about your day-to-day activities can actually juice up your watch.

Water Resistance

Take note that this watch’s water resistance is technically 30 meters (98 feet). In reality, the watch is safe for swimming or snorkeling. You should avoid showering and scuba-diving with the automatic watch since it’s not waterproof for those activities.

Auto Watch Winder

When you’re not wearing the watch, you can use the automatic watch winder that’s sold separately. This prevents the need to wind up the timepiece manually before using it.

How does it work? Simply store the watch on the watch winder then it will be juiced up for the next time you’re ready to wear the watch. You could also use the Watch Winder at nighttime to make sure the watch is ready to go in the morning.

You can find different Auto Watch Winder models. They include units for double watches in case you own more than one Seiko automatic watch.

Stainless Steel Bracelet

This is a plus over other materials like rubber and nylon. It’s a good option with options like durability, stain/water-resistance, and aesthetics.

An X-factor is there’s less reason to swap out the band of the watch in a Seiko snk793 review vs. other automatic models. It also explains the higher price tag compared to other units like the SNK805 with a nylon band. Paying a little extra might be worth the better band.  

Luminous Hands/Hour Markers

This is a great feature at nighttime in particular. Some wristwatches have a button to turn on a mini light. This can be a hassle in situations like when you don’t have a free hand to operate the button.

The glow-in-the-dark markers allow you to see the time at a glance whether it’s 12:00 noon or 12:00 midnight.

Deployment Clasp

The SNK793’s band features a deployment clasp. This is a cinch to open/close and is much easier to operate than a band with a buckle, for example.

All you have to do is press the push-button to open the clasp. This is even faster than standard foldable clasps that take more time to open/close.

This might seem like a small issue, but it increases the functionality of the watch. Whether you’re putting on/taking off the buckle, it’s not something you’ll want to spend lots of time fiddling with. So it’s a noteworthy perk of this wristwatch.

Transparent Back

The SNK793 includes a see-through back that lets you view the watch’s mechanics. This adds some extra pizzazz. Even if you’re not a watchmaker, you can appreciate seeing the unit’s components work together to give you the current time, day, and date.

SEIKO 5 Men's SNK793 Automatic Stainless Steel Watch with Blue Dial
  • Classic stainless steel bracelet watch with exhibition back featuring blue sunray dial and day/date window
  • Age Group : Adult ; 36 mm stainless steel case with Hardlex dial window
  • Automatic movement with analog display. Assembled product dimensions (L x W x H):5.00 x 3.80 x 3.10 inches
  • Silver-tone bracelet with deployment-clasp closure
  • Water resistant to 30m: In general, suitable for swimming and snorkeling, but not scuba diving.

FAQs & Tips for Seiko SNK793

When was this watch released?

2017

What is the water resistance rating?

It’s technically 100 meters, yet the product reads 30 meters. However, it’s still advisable not to use the watch when showering or scuba-diving. You should have any problems swimming or snorkeling near the surface of a pool, sea, ocean, etc.

Does this watch include a Seiko box?

Yes, it’s bundled with a box that has dimensions of 4x3x5. You could use this as a gift box if you’d like although it also functions as a storage box.

What are the watch’s dimensions?

The case’s diameter is 37mm, and the case thickness is 11mm. The SNK793’s bandwidth is 18mm.

Does the watch have a non-stop second hand?

Yes, all self-winding watches contain sweep-second movement. The second-hand keeps moving continuously instead of ticking every second.

What kind of band is included?

It’s a stainless steel band like the case. This is more durable/water-resistant than other materials like rubber and nylon. It also increases the overall quality of the watch.

The band also includes a deployment-type clasp. So you can release the foldable clasp using a push button. This process is much faster than dealing with a strap buckle.

Does this watch have a light?

It doesn’t. The illuminated hands/hour markers on the watch face glow in the dark, so they’re easy to see at nighttime.

What is the size of the watch case?

36mm. It includes a Hardlex dial display that includes Seiko’s in-house crystal. Hardlex crystal is generally better the sapphire in terms of durability. It’s less scratch-resistance, but this is the trade-off you get with the higher durability.

Does this watch have a day/date display?

Yes, and it’s located at the 3:00 marker. So the watch not only helps you track the time but also the day and date.

Does this watch include a warranty?

It’s bundled with a manufacturer’s warranty.

How can I remove links from the wristband?

This should generally be done by a professional. You can take the timepiece to a watch repair shop or authorized Seiko dealer. It requires some special tools and know-how, so it’s best to have a trained professional add/remove links from the band.

How often do you have to wind up the watch?

The watch is self-winding, so you’ll need to wear it 8+ hours a day to keep it powered. Another option is to use the Auto Watch Winder, which is stored separately.

The SNK793 works with 21 jewels that provide automatic movement and precise calibration. As a result, you don’t have to invest in batteries since the power source is your arm’s movement.

Does this watch need a battery?

No, it’s an “automatic” watch, so it gets its power from the wearer’s arm movement. You can also wind up the unit manually or keep it juiced up with the Auto Watch Winder sold separately.

Conclusion

We’ve just reviewed the Seiko SNK793. If you’re looking for a low-cost entry-level automatic watch, then this is a good option. It’s in the under-$100 price range so you won’t have to spend big bucks on your next wristwatch. If you’re happy with the SNK793, you could always upgrade to a high-end automatic watch.

This Seiko watch has some drawbacks, which is expected due to the price range. It doesn’t keep ultra-precise time. The durability is good but not outstanding. While it’s water-resistant, it’s basically just for swimming or snorkeling. If you’re a scuba diver, you should consider another unit.

That said, there are also some plusses to consider. The watch’s overall design is good including the face, dial, and band are good. It also keeps a good time for a mechanical watch as long as you wear it 8+ hours each day. The watch is also somewhat scratch water-resistant.

What’s the bottom line? This watch in a Seiko SNK793 review is a good option if you want a basic/first automatic watch. If you want a basic watch with good form and function, then the Seiko SNK793 should be an automatic choice.

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API