Reviews

Best Seiko Flieger Watches (Worth Your Time)

Photo of author
Written by:

Jacky Chou

A Trevi-made Seiko that costs a total of $21,000. A Swiss watch designed by Audemars Piguet? That one will cost you an estimated $22,200. And then there's the Rolex Daytona which has been around since 1963 and can be yours for just over $40,000! These watches are all worth it in their own right but what sets these apart from other luxury products is the fame they've amassed along with some people spending years trying to get them at all costs.

The "seiko watches" are a great watch brand. They offer a variety of watches for men, women, and children. The Seiko 5 Sports Automatic is the best watch that Seiko makes. It offers a variety of features like day/date display, 200m water resistance, and it's also very affordable.

Top Seiko Flieger timepieces

These days, fliegers are quite popular. They have gained a great deal of popularity because to their unique, almost bauhaus-like minimalism and their highly distinct qualities.

Even if you are unaware of it when you look at a contemporary watch, many watchmakers take inspiration from several flieger components.

There were two primary versions of the original German-made Flieger watches back in the day.

Around the dial of Type A were arabic numerals for the hours.

With a second inner ring containing hours, Type B had minutes.

Flieger Type B initial

Other traits that were prevalent included:

  • a dial and a plain spherical metal casing
  • On the dial, the digits are huge and clearly visible (black and white)
  • oversized lumed hands for low-light readiness
  • Large, rectangular, and lumed markings for the hours (or minutes in type B).
  • a crown that was often wide and tapered for glove-friendly gripping
  • An arrow pointing to 12 o'clock that sometimes (but not usually) has two dots to aid with pilot orientation (during flips? possibly)

Seiko watches, which have several of these qualities, make up a large portion of the timepieces I've listed in this essay.

Some of the later watches in the evaluation adhere to fashions that emerged after the first fliegers, such as chronographs.

Then, it is questionable whether they qualify as "genuine" fliegers in the traditional sense, but hey! Not long after World War II, the military produced these for use by pilots.

1. Seiko SNK807 Seiko five

SEIKO Men's SNK807 SEIKO 5 Automatic Stainless Steel Watch with Blue Canvas Band
  • Round watch featuring blue dial with day/date windows at 3...
  • 37 mm stainless steel case with Hardlex dial window
  • Automatic self-wind movement with analog display. Case Back:...
  • Canvas band with buckle closure. Case thickness: 11 mm
  • Water resistant to 30 m (99 ft): In general, withstands splashes...

Because these watches are long-lasting and include features seen in watches costing several times as much, the Seiko 5 is legendary in the Seiko community.

The SNK models could be the most well-liked because to their simplicity, affordability, and usability. However, they were heavily influenced by the original German Flieger (pilot) watches, whether most people are aware of this or not. You'll be able to tell if you contrast this timepiece with the picture of the Original Laco Flieger up above! It's a match, snap.

With the dominating minutes around the dial, an inner hour marker ring, and the orientation's arrow pointing up at 12 o'clock. All of these were necessities for the initial pilots.

Of course, Seiko has enhanced these fundamental requirements over time and now provides us with features like respectable waterproofing, a day/date complication, and a straightforward, vintage Nato strap. Although this strap is not the most comfortable, many of you will replace it since it goes with the watch straight out of the box.

The exhibition back on the case of this watch is another unexpected bonus. On the picture, you can see how the swinging rotor, which charges your watch as you walk, provides you a wonderful glimpse of how an automatic movement works.

There are several varieties, the most well-known of which are the SNK805, 807, and 809 (the black, khaki green, and the blue seen above). But there are also quite a few more. Please check out the links and images I've provided below.

  • 40-hour power reserve Seiko Automatic (7S26) that is NOT hackable or manually wound
  • Crystal Hardlex (scratch resistant)
  • 3 o'clock day/date function
  • a a nylon band
  • 100m water resistance (330ft)
  • Size of case: 37 x 11 mm

2. Seiko 5 Seiko SNZG15

SEIKO Men's SNZG15 SEIKO 5 Automatic Stainless Steel Watch with Nylon Strap
  • Round watch featuring logoed dial with Arabic numeral indices,...
  • 42 mm stainless steel case with hardlex dial window
  • Automatic self-wind movement with analog display
  • Nylon band with buckle closure
  • Water resistant to 100 m (330 ft): In general, suitable for...

The Seiko SNZG watch series is a worthy equivalent to the Flieger line. Although the dial is somewhat different, they are fairly comparable to the SNKs mentioned above.

The arrow at 12 o'clock is there once again, although it is not pointing up or north as it was on the original Flieger Type A. Additionally, the arrow has no dots on either side of it. Of course, it need not be an exact replica; rather, this watch is only inspired by flieger watches. And for the vast majority, it suffices.

Like the Type A, this model includes an inner 24-hour ring in addition to clear, big arabic numerals on the exterior of the dial. So once again, it's not a real flieger, but then again, there aren't too many available right now.

The size of this Seiko 5 is one feature that many people who wear larger wrist watches would prefer over the SNKs above. Compared to the 37mm, it is a much larger 42mm. Therefore, this is a fantastic alternative if you prefer the SNK design but cannot bear the tiny size.

There are also 3 or 4 color and style variations, similar to the SNKs, which you may scroll down and see below.

  • 40-hour power reserve Seiko Automatic (7S26c or 7S36) *NOT hackable or manually wound
  • Crystal Hardlex (scratch resistant)
  • 3 o'clock day/date function
  • a a nylon band
  • 100m water resistance (330ft)
  • Size of case: 42 x 11 mm

3. Seiko SNN235 Pilot Chronograph

Seiko Men's SNN235 Chronograph Black Dial Stainless Steel Watch
  • Precise Japanese-quartz movement
  • Durable mineral hardlex crystal; brushed and polished stainless...
  • Chronograph functions with 60 second and 60 minute subdials; date...
  • Black dial with luminous orange hands and hour markers; white...
  • Water resistant to 330 feet (100 M): suitable for snorkeling, as...

Seiko Chronograph Flieger SNN235

The first fliegers with an extra chronograph began to emerge in the 1950s. Although they continued to use arabic numbers, they were beginning to become a bit more complicated. The Hanhart 417 was one of the few military aircraft having a chronograph at this time. There were two chronograph subdials on it, one on each side.

With top and bottom sub-dials, this model SNN235 differs somewhat from that, but the essential features remain. That includes the dial's visible arabic numbers and the arrow, even though it points downward. Additionally, the hour markers are big and rectangular, making them simple to read. Additionally, reading the hands is made easier by the fact that they are well lit and red.

You also receive Seiko's customary 100m water resistance, as well as a date complication at the six o'clock position. Overall, fantastic value for a little under a hundred dollars.

  • Quartz mechanism
  • Crystallized mineral Seiko Hardlex
  • Day event at three o'clock a chronograph with two dials (minute, second)
  • Case and band made of stainless steel
  • 100m water resistance (330ft)
  • Size of case: 42 x 12 mm

4. Seiko Prospex Solar Chronograph, Model SSC435

Later on in the Flieger's lifespan, manufacturers began giving the timepiece important features like chronographs.

The Prosprex model SSC435 from Seiko pays tribute to the flieger chronographs of the 1950s. At the top, it clearly has the Flieger markings—an upward arrow with a dot on each side.

Naturally, this form of watch loses the Flieger's original simplistic, easily readable quality, but because we no longer need to know the time to comprehend where we are (in terms of longitude), I suppose it gradually fell out of favor.

However, this watch offers a lot more, including a date function between 4 and 5 o'clock, a tachymeter, a bezel, and solar power, which eliminates the need for an automated movement or battery.

  • a solar panel with a six-month reserve
  • Crystallized mineral Seiko Hardlex
  • Day/Date function between 4:00 and 5:00 Tachymeter with three subdials around the dial
  • A leather band and stainless steel case
  • 100m water resistance (330ft)
  • Size of case: 45 x 12 mm

5. Seiko 5 (SSA295J1)

BERNY Men's Automatic Watch Oversize Super Luminous Mechanical Wristwatch 20ATM Waterproof Self...
  • Self winding Automatic Watch: This watch uses Seiko NH36...
  • Easy read: Oversize design, one side curved sapphire glass, super...
  • Heavy Duty: Made of high quality materials, hardened stainless...
  • Multifunctional: Day and date at 3H, screw-in crown, 20ATM water...
  • Satisfied Services: Offering a perfect experience, we provide 30...

SSA295J1 Seiko Chronograph Flieger

Even though this watch doesn't have many distinctively flieger features, I had to add it. It drew my attention since it is so streamlined and simple. Then I saw the broad, jutting crown. Due to the fact that the pilots wore gloves, this was one of the early "must haves" for flyers. However, only the genuine flieger want tobe businesses appear to bother adding one these days. Only the other inspirations appear to be used by Seiko in its timepieces.

before I saw this With its big numerals, distinct hands, and strong contrast to the dial, it is also extremely simple to read. Additionally, it has that magnificent crown, which is undeniably fleiger-esque. It's still attractive, even if the real crowns they used had a cut in the direction of the casing.

Additionally, it features a lovely 24-hour sub-dial at 10 o'clock, which further distinguishes it as being a bit unique. You won't see many of these on the street since it is likewise a Japanese import, for sure!

  • Automatic Seiko movement (4R37)
  • Crystallized mineral Seiko Hardlex
  • Daytime event from 4-5 p.m. 24 hour time on one subdial
  • A leather band and stainless steel case
  • 100m water resistance (330ft)
  • Size of case: 44 x 13 mm

6. Seiko Flightmaster (SNA411, SND255)

Seiko Men's SNA411 Flight Alarm Chronograph Watch
  • Round watch with black dial featuring gear-edge bezel, multiple...
  • 42 mm stainless steel case with Hardlex dial window
  • Japanese quartz movement with display
  • Stainless steel link bracelet with fold-over push-button clasp...
  • Water resistant to 200 m (660 ft): In general, suitable for...
Seiko Men's SND255P1 Flightmaster Pilot Slide Rule Chronograph Watch
  • IF #ItemCategory.Description#=”Seiko”...
  • "US-Trader: Delivery timeframe to USA/AU/JP is 10 business days."
  • Additional Information: Chronograph Function
    Analog Stopwatch...
  • "Package and Content: Box received may not be the same as the one...

Because it can perform so much and display so much information, the Seiko Flightmaster is a particularly special watch in the field of aviation. Although it is a long way from being a genuine flyger, it is so well-liked in the "aviator" category that I figured I may as well include it in this article.

It features a slide rule with a ton of calculating options, a chronograph, and a date window at 3 o'clock. The kitchen sink of pilot's watches, if you will.

The SNA411 is the most typical and well-liked variant, but the blue model shown below also has a lovely color that makes it worthwhile to check out and has a little different setup.

  • japanese Quartz mechanism
  • Crystallized mineral Seiko Hardlex
  • Date function at 3 o'clock, chronograph, compass & calculations around the bezel (sliderule)
  • Case and band made of stainless steel
  • 200/100 m water resistance (330ft)
  • Size of case: 41 x 10 mm

The "seiko military watch" is a watch that has been around for many years. It's one of the best watches to buy if you want a great quality timepiece for an affordable price.

Related Tags

  • seiko srph33k1
  • best pilot watches under $2,000
  • best pilot watches under $1000
  • seiko flieger cream
  • best pilot watches under 3,000
About
Jacky Chou

Jacky Chou is the co-founder of Uberwrists and has gotten into watches from his father from a young age. His first watch was a black G Shock that was comedically large for his wrist. He appreciates watches from Seiko to a Patek Philippe.

Leave a Comment