Seiko 5 is a line of watches that is synonymous with entry into the watch hobby. There are many automatic watches that are reliable, affordable, and durable. They epitomize what makes Seiko one of the most important watchmakers in the world, and have long been the default choice for entry-level mechanical watches. My first mechanical watch was a Seiko 5 SNZG11. I recently had it restored.
seiko 5 gateway drug
My first foray into the world of mechanical watches was the Seiko 5 SNZG11. I received a watch from my father as a present. I still remember the joy and amazement I felt when I looked behind the display case and saw the mechanical rotor wobbling and bringing the Seiko 7S26 caliber to life. I previously featured this Seiko 5 in its unrestored condition at Fratello.
Up until that point (2013), I had no interest in watches at all. My grandfather, who was born in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, owned and loved IWC watches (his Caliber 89 belonged to my mother). Before I left Sydney for a new job as a reporter in Asia, my father gave me a Seiko mechanical watch as a watch companion. That watch was this Seiko 5 SNZG11 (J1).
Seiko for life’s adventures
On the flight to Bangkok (and Chiang Mai), I remember eyeing this blue dial watch with Arabic numerals and sporty lettering. There was something reassuring about the metal weight of the watch. I also remember hearing the sound of the winding rotor shaking. It was the first time I had ever seen, heard, and experienced a mechanical watch movement literally in motion. It was curiosity!
This watch accompanied me on an incredibly adventurous time working as a journalist in Southeast Asia and also spent a short time in China. I wore the watch every day of what ended up being a year-long adventure. My Seiko 5 was an unobtrusive, unflashy watch that gave me time when I needed it.
valuable companion
I’ve found the Seiko 5 to be very useful in my daily work. Its mechanical caliber was a useful feature for long-distance travel, as the kinetic energy of arm movements was enough to keep the watch running. 100 meters of water resistance is also welcome if you cross an unexpected river while chasing a story or accessing a humid area, such as one without electricity or covered in moisture. It was a function that
The Seiko 5 would continue to accompany me on extremely difficult and sometimes dangerous journeys. It never wobbled or failed until the last month of my journey. They faced difficult conditions, including harsh climate.
unlucky river crossing
It was one day in October that my Seiko 5 almost completely broke. As part of my reporting in a remote area deep in the mountains, I was crossing a river surrounded by dense forest on both sides. We had to cross several rivers, which was physically demanding, but the first two were uneventful. However, the third river crossing was not so smooth.
It wasn’t the biggest river we had to cross that day, but it was the most tricky. It was shallower than the previous two rivers, and the current was faster and more powerful. We were crossing a point where the river narrowed, essentially making the water flow even faster. The river bed below the surface was particularly rocky and unstable. All my attention was taken up by it and the screams of one of the guides were drowned out over the sound of rushing water before it was too late. I saw an orange blob out of the corner of my eye. I didn’t pay much attention to it, mistaking it for a large easily available fruit.
emergency strip
Then, when I realized it, it was covered in big red ants. I was bitten and it hurt a lot. Soon our team had to strip me naked. I ran into a swarm of leaf-cutter ants. Leafcutter ant bites are not very strong, but they are incredibly painful due to the presence of formic acid, a natural insecticide that ants use to protect themselves.
Within perhaps 20 seconds I was undressed, but in the commotion and rush of events I managed to swing my arms hard at a rock jutting out of the river bed. The bottom of the Seiko 5 case was nearly flattened by the impact, leaving a large dent. The clock was still ticking, but much time had passed. When I returned to base, I placed the Seiko in a drawer with the intention of having it repaired on my next mission in Bangkok. Unfortunately, for various reasons, I wasn’t able to work on it.
work required
A few months ago, I finally did something I should have done years ago and sent my Seiko to a professional watch shop for an overhaul. This came with instructions to keep all the dents and scratches intact.
The watch was left alone for several months. There aren’t many watch shops in the area where I live, so this watch shop is very busy. Thankfully, when I finally got the call that the watch was ready to be sent back, I was told that everything was going well. Some parts were damaged by the collision with rocks and had to be replaced. However, the watchmaker said the clock has come back to life and now keeps time better than before.
summary
Well, the Seiko 5 is back in my hands, and it’s actually keeping an incredible time (it’s now even more regulated than when it left the factory). It’s a watch that has incredible sentimental value to me, so I plan to wear it more often.
Fratelli, what about you? Is there a particularly sentimental watch in your collection? We’d love to read some of those stories in the comments section.