Seiko Borrows a Page from Rolex for Its Most Affordable Everyday Watch Line

Comparing any Seiko to a Rolex Oyster Perpetual is going to be a bit of a stretch, but here goes.

The OP is Rolex’s entry-level automatic everyday watch, and the brand makes a version for practically everyone, with five different case sizes on offer in 41mm, 36mm, 34mm, 31mm and 28mm.

Seiko’s entry-level automatic everyday watch is the 5 Sports SNXS Series, which debuted last year and is based on the classic affordable SNXS that was discontinued in 2019 when Seiko began revamping its Seiko 5 line.

Seiko

The watch has a C-shaped 37.4mm case in stainless steel with a recessed 4:00 crown, and it features a similar dial to the Rolex OP with baton hands and indices while adding a day-date window at 3:00. At 37mm, the SNXS Series is already pretty wearable, but now Seiko has followed Rolex’s lead and expanded the line with a more diminutive version.

Shrink it, don’t pink it

Comparable in size and spirit to the 31mm Oyster Perpetual is the new Seiko 5 Sports “Hebitama” SNXS, which measures just 32mm across the case. Like Rolex with its smaller OPs, Seiko is marketing the Hebitema as a ladies’ watch, but that shouldn’t stop anyone who wants to wear one from doing so. It’s 2025; if you want to wear a 32mm watch, wear a 32mm watch.

Seiko

Despite its small size, the new SNXS is essentially the same watch as the larger version — there’s none of the watering down of specs that we sometimes see with watches aimed at women. The watch retains the “Hebitama” helmet-shaped case, the OP-esque dial design is the same (with Lumibrite still illuminating the hands and indices) and the water-resistance rating remains a solid 100m.

Since the new watch is still a Seiko 5, it is by definition also an automatic. And although its smaller case means it has a different movement than what you’ll find in the 37mm SNXS, the performance is nearly identical. The watch’s Seiko Caliber 2R06 has both hacking and hand-winding, like the Cal. 4R36 in the bigger watch, and its 40-hour power reserve is just one hour shorter.

Seiko

The biggest change in the new SNXS, outside of the smaller case, is the bracelet. It’s not just smaller; it’s a brand-new design. While still a three-row affair, the links are flatter than on the bracelet of the 37mm watch, and the center links are now polished with the outer links remaining brushed. This “dressy Oyster” look is very Rolex-coded and mimics the Oyster bracelet option on the OP’s more famous sibling, the Datejust.

Pricing and availability

At launch, there are three versions of the Seiko 5 Sports “Hebitama” SNXS, all in stainless steel and featuring sunray dials adorned with gilt hands and indices. SRE021K1 “Denim Blue” features a dark blue dial, SRE023K1 “Double Cream” has a champagne dial and SRE024K1 “Mixed Metal” has a white dial and a two-tone case and bracelet.

Seiko

As is often the case with new Seiko releases, the watches aren’t yet listed on Seiko’s U.S. website but are live in several foreign markets, including the UK, where the Denim Blue and Double Cream are both priced at £310 and the Mixed Metal is listed at £340, which is the same price as the 37mm SNXS.

Given that the 37mm watch retails for $415 in the U.S., I assume the Mixed Metal will be priced the same stateside. What’s more, the non two-tone versions share a price with other watches on Seiko’s UK boutique that sell for $375 on this side of the pond, so I assume that’s the price we’ll end up with for the Denim Blue and Double Cream.

All three watches will be available in December.

Seiko

Seiko 5 Sports “Hebitama” SNXS

Specs

Case Size	32mm
Movement	Seiko Cal. 2R06 automatic
Water Resistance	100m

• Learn More

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

Related Topics