Again and again, Seiko 5s proved to the world that we don't have to spend over half a grand in order to put a classy piece on our wrist. The Seiko 7019-5100 is no exception.







Looking like a Patek nautilus homage while retaining iconic Seiko features, the Seiko 7019-5100 is a striking piece for under a 100USD.

Driven by the 7S26 Seiko movement, you can expect this incredible workhorse to run for years without even spending a dime on servicing. However, precise accuracy is not within its capabilities. Based on daily wear, we found that it gained a couple of seconds in two weeks. If you are a little confused about the Seiko movements, you can find a post where I will describe the merits of each type of movement in this blog as well.

Three unique features on this vintage piece has got to be its iconic case and lug shape and also its small protected crown.

First, I will elaborate more on the lug and the bracelet. The OEM bracelet of the watch was not adjustable (or at least I do not know how. If you watch enthusiast know how, please let me know! I will really appreciate it!).


The lug is U shaped which is really unconventional and something you do not see in modern Seikos. As a result, I needed to custom make a leather strap to fit such a lug.



Since the watch was for my girl, we chose a purple strap with white stitches. I am very pleased with the final product which I thought went really well together. The leather used was hermes epsom  which is meant to be tough and water resistant as well.



The cushioned like case shape gave a very vintage feel and it complimented the black dial with silver markers which gave a very classy look to the piece. Personally, I feel that the small crown which was neatly tucked inside the stainless steel case was a clear indication that this is a vintage piece. Externally, this watch looks crown-less and classy. However, it can be a pain when you need to actually pull out the tiny crown to adjust the date and the time. It can be agonizing when you adjust the time on the watch with large fingers.



Overall, this watch's value proposition is off the charts if I tell you that you can get the same model off eBay for a little over 30USD. It is a fantastic piece to add to your casual weekend watch collection. I am sure it is pretty rare now and hard to find online though. Good luck if you decide to hunt for one!

On side note, this watch is priceless to the owner because it signifies her youthfulness which she once possess and still possess.