Watch enthusiasts will be pleased to see that the new Seiko GMT line bears a strong resemblance to the beloved SKX. Drawing comparisons for its iconic case shape and steel watch bracelet, this new time-travelling Seiko gives us a modern look at that discontinued line.
Though this collection has gotten attention for its retro look, they’re also some of Seiko most affordable (and stylish) GMT watches. That makes your choice of these three Seiko watches perfect to keep on your wrist when you’re out exploring the world. Even better, their 100m water resistance and brand new automatic movement have a classically sporty appeal.
The Seiko 5 GMT range comes in three dial and bezel colours, a black and grey Seiko SSK001K, a black and blue Seiko SSK003K, and a vibrant orange Seiko SSK005K. If you’ve ever been tempted by a second-hand SKX, you’ll have to consider one of these powerful modern automatic watches.
Overview:
- Seiko GMT Black and Grey SSK001K
- Seiko GMT Blue Dial SSK003K
- Seiko GMT Orange SSK005K
- GMT Line Specifications
- Final Verdict
Seiko GMT Black and Grey SSK001K
Dressed in a black dial, the Seiko 5 SSK001K exudes class with its stainless steel case and SKX-like ‘jubilee’ bracelet. When you first hold this watch, you’ll notice right away how shiny it is thanks to its high polished finish.
The unique combination of black and grey on the bezel gives this Seiko GMT a dark, handsome look that sets it apart from the other two in this new line. Speaking of, the red GMT hand cuts nicely into the moody tone to offer a splash of colour.
GMT watch technology can be super helpful if you need to keep track of several time zones at once, say when you holiday. The rotating bezel on this piece is marked to 24-hours, just like the other two models, which is what the GMT hand points to. You’ll have to do some adjustments when you travel to get it right, but when it’s set up it’s great.
Unlike other Seiko 5 watches, this timepiece does not display the day of the week. It does, however, magnify the date window through its signature hardlex glass. While this isn’t a favourite feature for many watch lovers, it fits well with this particular watch.
Seiko GMT Blue Dial SSK003K
While the differences might at first seem subtle, this timepiece has a very different look on the wrist to the black model Seiko GMT.
Rather than a flat black surface, the SSK003K goes for a striking sunray texture with a deep blue tone. The red GMT hand still stands out boldly against the colour, and works to contrast against the stainless steel tones too.
The rotating 24-hour bezel is displayed in a strong combination of blue and black. Like the other two Seiko GMT watches this bezel features a grooved edge that, along with the jubilee bracelet, gives this SKX dead ringer a textured appeal.
We didn’t mention that the SSK001K has an exhibition case back, but this blue watch has one too. It’s nice to see the 4R34 movement in action, which has been crafted by Seiko specifically for the new GMT range.
Seiko GMT Orange SSK005K
It goes without saying that this Seiko GMT is going to catch some glances. Yes, the orange sunray dial is striking, but it’s played off perfectly in this sporty SKX-like frame.
Seiko have opted for a darker ochre colour rather than a full-on orange, which is a great pick to match the all-black bezel and steel case. White round indexes break up some of the flair, while gold highlights on the hands and bezel offer something different to the other Seiko GMTs.
Colour aside, this Seiko watch is typically practical. The GMT range has a strong water resistance, automatic movement with 41-hour power reserve, and of course the signature dual timekeeping.
We commend anyone who has the confidence to pull this timepiece off, because this Seiko GMT looks great when you own the look.
GMT Line Specifications
All three Seiko GMT watches come with the same new automatic movement, along with a set of identical specs. Here’s a list of features to expect:
- Case size: 41.5mm diameter x 46mm length x 13.6 height
- Automatic movement with 41hr reserve
- GMT timekeeping
- Stainless steel case & bracelet
- 10 Bar water resistance
- Hardlex crystal
- LumiBrite hands
- See-through & screw case back
- Three-fold clasp
Final Verdict
These three new additions to the Seiko 5 Sports collection bring back some of the magic of the original SKX watches. All the while, they add a useful GMT feature that is usually reserved for watches upwards of $1000 in price.
Each Seiko GMT has its own charm, so there’s plenty of variety in this range to choose from. Likewise, they’re durable enough to take just about anywhere.
If you’re planning to go travelling and need a world-time or GMT watch, we certainly recommend these Seiko watches for the price. Even if you don’t plan to travel with one of these, you’ll get a lot of daily use with their stylish look.
