![\"snk803_dial\"](\"http:\/\/watches.cyberphreak.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/snk803_dial.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFor years I have wanted this watch.\u00a0 It was almost my first automatic watch, it lost out to my green military style 5<\/a>.\u00a0 It is a Flieger<\/a> or pilot style watch.\u00a0 It is a wonderfully clean design and has been made by many manufactures for many years.\u00a0 This Seiko example, the SNK803 has been in production for many years and uses the (now classic) 7S26 movement.\u00a0 My newest watch in my collection is about the most factory fresh models I haver ever worn.\u00a0 It was made in September of 2013, and now on my wrist as of December 2013, so less than three months since it left the factory in Malaysia.\u00a0 Interestingly, it is a 7S26C, not sure what has been updated, but the movement seems well finished and decorated for an entry level movement.\u00a0 But, let’s start with the outside. The dial for this watch is beige\/cream colored with stark, black printing.\u00a0 The printing is Seiko perfect, with no flaws visible, even under a loupe.\u00a0 The Seiko and 5 shield are applied.\u00a0 What makes a pilot’s style watch unique is the emphasis on minutes instead of hours, instead of hours, like standard military watches.\u00a0 The hour makers are contained inside of a clean circle.\u00a0 The minutes are printed at 5 minute intervals, and have tick marks for every minute.\u00a0 There is no chapter ring.\u00a0 The 0 minute mark is a triangle.\u00a0\u00a0 As you can see, the hands are Flieger extended diamonds and the second hand has a red tip and a large, luminous tail.\u00a0 The hands are filled with luminous material and show up well in all lighting conditions.\u00a0 There is the classic Seiko 5 day and date window.\u00a0 My only complaint is that, while there are luminous pips on every hour, there is no indication of what ‘up’ is on the watch in total darkness.\u00a0 A small complaint, and not unique, as several of my watches have the same issue.\u00a0 The bezel holding the flat, hardlex crystal matches the body of the watch well.\u00a0 The crystal has very little glare and is typical of a watch in this price point.\u00a0 Overall, a very clean, classic design.<\/p>\n The case of the watch is bead blasted stainless steel.\u00a0 The small, unsigned crown is at the 3:48 position, which is typical of most Seiko 5’s.\u00a0 Since the movement can not be hand wound or hacked, the small crown is not a big deal and is slightly recessed.\u00a0 The offset crown and the little projection make is very comfortable to wear and it never digs into your wrist.\u00a0 The lugs are 18mm and slightly turned down.\u00a0 The case is only about 37.5mm in diameter, so modern small for men, but good for those of us with smaller wrists, including women.\u00a0 My wife tried this watch on, and it looked perfectly acceptable.\u00a0 It is only 10.5 mm high, so it hides well under long sleeves.\u00a0 The watch wears well is is fairly light on the nylon strap.<\/p>\n The case back is a hardlex, display type showing the brand new 7S26C.\u00a0 It seems a little better finished than the A and B version, and apparently, there are some other improvements<\/a> as well.\u00a0 It is a very tried and true design, a direct descent of the Seiko 5’s of 50 years ago<\/a>!\u00a0 It lacks hacking or hand-winding, but, if you are a classic 5 fan, they are part of the charm.\u00a0 The watch winds quickly via your body motions.\u00a0 This particular movement seems well adjusted from the factory, I have worn it more than a week and have not had to adjust the time yet, so it must be less than 5 seconds a day of variation.\u00a0 As with every Seiko, it is all stainless steel.\u00a0 No base metal here.<\/p>\n Last, but not least is the nylon, two ring, strap.\u00a0 It is very heavy nylon with two steel keepers.\u00a0 One is fixed, the other floats.\u00a0 The buckle is signed Seiko and it, and the keepers are all bead blasted to match the finish of the watch.\u00a0 It is comfortable to wear and should last for many years.<\/p>\n Probably the most remarkable thing about this watch is the price, less than $60, shipped, from Amazon.\u00a0 At this price point, it is just a remarkable deal to get a Seiko Automatic for about the same price (actually, less than) a Timex or Fossil, or other fashion watch brands.\u00a0 Seiko, unlike many others, is a true watch manufacture, with all in house movements and more than 100 years of watch making experience. \u00a0 As you can see above, even the presentation box is nice quality.\u00a0 No cheap, plastic box, but a good quality box and pillow. Try getting that with a $60 Timex.<\/p>\n This watch happens to be a replacement for my departed Timex field watch<\/a>.\u00a0 After its fourth battery change, the quartz module decided to strip some gears and not work any more. \u00a0\u00a0 It will be interesting to see what this watch looks like after 15 years of service, with no battery changes to wreck the seals and warp the movement.<\/p>\n Overall, this watch is a fantastic deal, looks great, and is a must buy for pilot watch lovers.\u00a0 It comes in black, blue, and green as well, so if you want more of an authentic Flieger, Type B look, the black one matches up pretty well.\u00a0 I am very pleasantly surprised by the accuracy so far, and I have already put it though its paces.\u00a0 Shovelling snow with it on, going sledding, and doing ordinary daily activities without missing a beat.\u00a0 If you need a practical watch that will far outlast the Chinese made specials, look no further than a Seiko 5.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Features: <\/p>\n Review Seiko 5 SNK803 Beige For years I have wanted this watch.\u00a0 It was almost my first automatic watch, it lost out to my green military style 5.\u00a0 It is a Flieger or pilot style watch.\u00a0 It is a wonderfully clean design and has been made by many manufactures for \u2026 Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nCase: 37.5mm diameter, stainless steel, 30m water resistance.
\nBack: Hardlex exhibition back, screw down.
\nCrystal: Hardlex, flat.
\nMovement: Automatic, 7S26C, Seiko in-house design. No handwind or hacking.
\nComplications: Day of week, Date
\nOther: Luminous hands and markers, Lumibrite.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>by <\/span><\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"