The Best Field Watches from Seiko: 2024 Reviews & Buyer's Guide

Written by – Updated on February 29, 2024

An outdoor watch is timeless, reliable, and versatile.

You could say the same thing about Seiko.

This 139-year-old company has a cult following because it promises excellent quality for a great price.

Seiko field watches are just as good as the other watches they make.

Read on to find out about the top outdoor watches from Seiko.

Seiko Men's SNZG15 Seiko 5 Automatic Stainless Steel with Nylon Strap: Top Overall Pick

The Seiko Men's SNZG15 Seiko 5 is a sports watch with a military look and feel. Because the SNZG models are part of the Seiko 5 line, it has all the quality features that make Seiko a beloved brand.

The SNZG15 Seiko 5 sports a black dial with Arabic numerals and luminous hands with a day/date window. All of these are enclosed in a 42mm stainless steel case with a scratch-resistant Hardlex crystal window.

Inside, you'll find Seiko's 7s26 automatic movement made in-house. The SNZG15 shows off the inside of the watch with a transparent, Hardlex crystal case-back.

The SNZG15 has a water resistance of up to 100m, which makes it good enough to wear swimming.

We love the larger, 42mm face of the SNZG15, which is bigger than most field timepieces tend to be. It also has a low profile and is very lightweight.

You'll forget that you're even wearing a wristwatch with how discreet the SNZG15 is!

Benefits

  • Water-resistant to 100m
  • Day/date window is easy to read
  • Comfortable nylon strap
  • Durable stainless steel case

Drawbacks

  • Setting the date isn't intuitive

Seiko Men's SNE331 Sport Solar Black Stainless Steel with Beige Nylon Band: Value Pick

The SNE331 comes with a black dial with large, stencil-like Arabic numerals in 3-hour intervals, large, bold lines for the minute marker, and a day/date display.

These are all inside a 43-mm stainless steel case with a scratch-resistant Hardlex dial window.

Seiko's SNE331 is equipped with V158 solar-powered quartz and has a 10-month power reserve once fully charged. Because the SNE331 is powered by quartz, the second hand will keep ticking, unlike the sweep of an automatic.

The SNE331 is water-resistant to 100m, making it versatile for use in heavy rain or while the sun shines.

We recommend the SNE331 for anyone who likes the military wristwatch look in a convenient and reliable form factor.

Benefits

  • Water-resistant to 100m
  • Easy to read day/date display
  • 10-month reserve when fully charged
  • Comfortable nylon band
  • Durable stainless steel case

Drawbacks

  • Quartz is less reliable

Seiko Men's SNK809 Seiko 5 Automatic Stainless Steel with Black Canvas Strap: Budget Pick

The SNK is the field wristwatch line of Seiko 5. With the SNK Seiko 5, you get an automatic under USD100 with the durability and reliability of more expensive watches.

The SNK809 has a black dial with Arabic numerals for hours on the inner dial and minutes, in increments of five, in the outer dial.

The hour and minute hands are luminescent and hold their glow for a sufficiently long time. The SNK809 also has a day/date display.

Inside, you'll find the Seiko 5 Caliber 7S26 automatic movement with 40 hours of reserve power. The performance of these is just as reliable and accurate as others in the Seiko 5 collection.

All of the components are housed inside a stainless steel case and a scratch-resistant Hardlex crystal.

The SNK809 is comfortable to wear and really discreet. While it's only water-resistant to 30m, it can last a whole summer day full of sweat and still function well.

We love how affordable the SNK is. It's cheap, but not cheaply made. It is one of the highest-quality watches you can get at this price point.

The nylon band of the SNK is very comfortable. Along with the small form factor, the nylon band makes the SNK easy to wear all day.

Usually, the sub-USD100 market is saturated with fashion quartz-movement watches that look good but are neither durable nor accurate. You don't get those qualities with the SNK809.

The SNK is easily the top choice for anyone wanting to get into collecting watches without breaking the bank.

NanaDC Badass Rating: 3/5

  • Seiko's blasting cases and their proprietary Horlicks mineral crystal ensure the durability and wear resistance of the SNK 809.
  • The SNK 809's historical size, 18mm lugs, and skinny profile make it a comfortable and practical choice for an automatic watch.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 3/5

  • The impressive sword hands and reverse lollipop seconds hand on the SNK 809 contribute to its masculine and aggressive feel and make it a unique watch to own.
  • The red accents on the SNK 809's dial and the applied Seiko five logo at noon make the watch stand out and add a pop of color to the overall design.

Benefits

  • Water-resistant to 100m
  • 40-hour power reserve
  • Scratch-resistant Hardlex crystal
  • Easy to read day/date display
  • Comfortable nylon band

Drawbacks

  • 30m water resistance isn't ideal

Worst Seiko Field Wristwatch - Seiko 5 Sports Field SRPG27

The Seiko 5 Sports Field SRPG27 has been a topic of discussion among watch enthusiasts, and while many appreciate its value, a few aspects have drawn criticism:

Seiko 5 Sports Field SRPG27 in silver wristband.
  • Questionable Crystal Quality: Some users express dissatisfaction with the Hardlex mineral crystal. They note it's not as scratch-resistant as sapphire, leading to readability issues over time due to scratches​​.
  • Accuracy Concerns: The 4R36 caliber's accuracy is rated at +45/-35 seconds per day. While this is within mechanical watch norms, it's a point of contention for those accustomed to more precise timepieces​​.
  • Comparative Inferiority: There's a sentiment that Seiko's movements, including the 4R36, inherently lag behind Swiss movements in terms of power reserve and accuracy, reflecting a broader perception of Seiko as underperforming compared to Swiss brands​​.

What Is A Field Timepiece?

A field timepiece is used by military men to tell the time discreetly. This is why most dials are colored black.

Field chronometers came about at the time of the World Wars. At that time, it was Hamilton outdoor watches, which became popular in the United States.

But other manufacturers followed suit. Seiko makes some of the most amazing outdoor watches that are equally reliable [R].

Though military-style timepieces are no longer exclusively for the military, lots of watch users choose the style for its durability and versatility.

Are Seiko Watches Good?

Seiko has been making timepieces since 1881 [R], so it's no surprise that they have perfected their watchmaking.

And unlike most brands these days, even some luxury ones, Seiko manufactures all their parts in-house. This is a great proposition for people looking for great money-value options.

Watch enthusiasts love Seiko because it makes automatic movement timepieces accessible to anyone for under $100.

Wrap Up

Seiko makes quality timepieces for a fraction of what you'd get from Swiss or other luxury brands. For the price of a fashion wristwatch, you get a well-crafted and designed watch that is perfect for any use.

You can take your pick from any of the Seiko field wristwatches we recommended, and you won't be disappointed.