Review: Seiko 5 'field mechanical / fleiger' SRPJ89K1

Good backdrop, bath towel. Matches the strap.
The green dial only hints it’s green which is classy.

A very nicely brushed / polished movement -unlike
those 7s26, back in the 90s.

My first Seiko was a '5'. I never respected it much but at 250RM back when I was in my 20s, it was a steal for an automatic. Today, a Seiko field mechanical will set you back circa 1kRM or about $220.

Yea, it does a lot more than the legendary fives of the 90s. My model has drilled lugs and a display back for the cleanly finished 4r36 movement. It also comes with swim-proof WR (100m).

Of course, you also get hand-winding which is silky smooth and a slightly domed crystal which is a good thing because you're spending 4 times as much for it in 2024.

I asked my AD why green dial was 100RM more than the cream and he just shrugged. Coulda saved 100RM but I decided to go 'collectible' as with everything odd-colored. Plus he's been giving me discounts for many years now.

Lume shot -quite legible.

The dial is lumed with dots at the markers which favor the minute track rather than the hour track. I guess it is what field watches do -my very first one. Hands are tasteful broadsword with a little curve towards the tips, generously lumed. Only issue is that the hour and minute hand are essentially the same shape.

The crown is push-pull and bigger than the one on my original five. I think it looks good, against the 36mm diameter case which is a standard-looking affair. It doesn't look expensive, nor cheap.

Came on a nice leather strap which I switched out for a NATO using just a paperclip end. No sense ruining the premium leather, getting it wet which all field watches eventually will experience. Brings back the wistful memories of wearing my smallish, budget, first automatic, albeit with a lot more charm and classiness. I think Seiko have done a good job for a fair price with the J89K. I can see this might be my final watch unless I get rich anytime soon which is still remotely possible. But I would still wear it as a beater or in rough parts of the city.

I saved 100% of the cost of the watch over 4 months. But soon will be letting go of my Prospex and Promaster, and my Orient Tristar, all of which I no longer wear. May also sell my Swatch Sistem51 and Q&Q moonphase. This after my father's heart surgery, when he and Mom will be less hard on me and my hobby / habit.

Yes, I think this humble watch will…  be… IT.

OOTB accuracy seems to be excellent only that the beat error is about 4 times higher than in a luxury watch (so they say).