Seiko Recraft SNKP23 Review & Complete Guide
There are a lot of vintage-inspired watches out there. The great thing about vintage-inspired watches, or straight-up reissues is that they are based on an already proven concept. Reissues are directly based on a particular model which (usually) has proven to become very popular amongst watch enthusiasts and collectors. With that said, brands know that if they succeed in capturing these appreciated design traits and packaging it well in a modern twist, it will be a surefire success.
A vintage-inspired watch is a bit broader. These watches seek inspiration from vintage timepiece in their design, which may be focused on one specific watch, or several watches from the same era, and combines the best of these watches into a modern remake.
As the same suggests, the Seiko Recraft is a timepiece that has recrafted past tradition of Seiko and combines it with modern design features and technology. Seiko’s Recraft collection includes watches that are made in a retro-modern style for the 21st century. The Seiko Recraft SNKP23 is one of those timepieces, and it is the timepiece we are going to focus on in this article.
Seiko Recraft SNKP23 Review
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The Seiko Recraft SNKP23 is from the very first sight a timepiece with a vintage-inspired funky design. Everything from case shape to color use, bracelet, and dial design have a very evident vintage/retro-inspired look.
The Seiko Recraft SNKP23 is not your ordinary timepiece. It is a watch that is different from most automatic watches on the market. It’s different and bold and a timepiece for someone who is looking for a watch that stands out from the crowd and offers something most modern timepieces don’t.
In this article, we are reviewing and looking closer at the Seiko Recraft SNKP23.
Seiko Recraft SNKP23 Case
The SNKP23 has an interesting (and unusual) 316L stainless steel case design, shaped almost like a square or rectangular pillow. Due to its unusual case shape, it is difficult to give an exact measurement since it all depends on how you measure. Plus, due to its unusual design, it wears differently from watches with a more traditional case shape. However, the official measurements for this watch are a diameter of 39.5mm and a lug-to-lug of 45.5mm. It has a thickness of 13mm and a lug width of 22mm.
The case has a unique and appealing combination of brushed and polished elements that really enhance the feeling of quality of this watch. The ”bezel” is brushed and the sides of the case are polished. What contributes to the funky case design is its lug design, where the lugs are seamlessly integrated into the case. Oftentimes, the top of the lugs are polished and the sides are polished to create a nice contrast, but not on the SNKP23. Instead, the whole visible outer part of the bezel is polished, including the lugs. This is also angled, which naturally makes the case appear bigger on the wrist since it is not only the lugs that point out from the case (as is usually the case, no pun intended).
With that said, due to the polishing, the lugs seamlessly integrate with the case.
The lugs point down just so slightly which allows the case to ”hug” the wrist and sit more stable.
Sitting on top of the case is a square-shaped Hardlex crustal. This is not as hard as sapphire crystal, but Seiko’s proprietary crystal has still proven to be much more resistant to scratches than regular mineral glass. The crystal is slightly raised from the case and does not sit completely flush. This is a common design element of vintage watches, but although a nice feature, it means the crystal is more exposed, and at a greater risk of attracting scratches and dents.
If we turn the watch around, we’ll find that this watch is equipped with a screw-down see-through case back. This is of course an appreciated feature amongst watch enthusiasts as it reminds us of the mechanical piece of craftsmanship and engineering that goes into a mechanical movement.
Positioned at 3 o’clock, we have the crown. The crown is recessed halfway into the case which protects it slightly. This is great seeing the watch does not have crown guards. The crown is a push-pull which of course isn’t the best for water resistance, but have in mind this is not a diver’s watch.
In fact, this watch offers a water resistance of 50 meters. It can handle water splashes but it is not suitable for diving. Seiko has other watches for that.
Seiko Recraft SNKP23 Movement
The Seiko Recraft SNKP23 is equipped with a mechanical automatic Seiko 7S26C caliber.
This movement is not the most accurate nor beautiful, but what it is is a sturdy workhorse that will run for decades without a need for service. With that said, through the see-through case back, the movement is not Patek Philippe standard by any means (bear in mind the price of this watch), but it’s still an appreciated choice by Seiko amongst watch nerds, including ourselves.
The movement beats with a frequency of 21,600 BPH and has 21 jewels. The watch has a power reserve of 41 hours. The downside of this movement is that it does not have hacking seconds or manual winding function, but having in mind the price of this watch and also the practical benefits of its long-lasting and durable build-quality, these are downsides we can overlook.
The Seiko 7S26C caliber operates with a specified accuracy of -15 to 25 seconds. Many owners have, however, reported much better accuracy, and it is also possible to regulate it for better accuracy should you wish.
Seiko Recraft SNKP23 Dial
Apart from the case, the dial is what truly makes this watch unique. It has a very evident vintage look and appeals to it. The center of the dial has a very striking blue sunburst finish which fades to a darker tone towards the outer edge. The watch also has an ”outer dial” which is contrasted with a raised additional plate. The outer chapter ring dial is made in polished black which is both a nice contrast in terms of color but also in finish.
The dial plate has printed seconds markers from the very edge and on each five-minute marking broad, applied metal markers. The applied markers, additional plate, and center dial really give the whole dial a great depth with lots of appealing and intricate details.
The dial printing is kept at a minimum and only includes the word ”AUTOMATIC” and the Seiko logo. Positioned at 3 o’clock, we have the day and date window with a metal frame around it. Instead of being rectangular-shaped which is usually the case for Seiko’s Day+Date watches, this frame is slightly curved and has a polished finish.
The watch has simple rectangular-shaped polished metal hour and minute hands with applied Lumibrite. The seconds hand is made in a contrasting orange color which adds to the funky retro look of this watch. The catch is that only the hands have lume on this watch which can make it somewhat difficult to read in the dark. The ”first” dial has white dots at each 5-minute marking, but these are only painted and not luminous.
Overall, Seiko really succeeds with the dial as it is very evidently a retro-inspired design with lots of quirky design features.
Seiko Recraft SNKP23 Bracelet
Moving on to the bracelet, this watch is fitted on a stainless steel bracelet with a funky retro design. It is also available on a leather strap.
The bracelet is mostly polished and has an integrated design. The bracelet design works well with this watch but it is different. For a watch in this price range, don’t expect the most sturdy bracelet. It does have some rattle and does not feel 100% solid, but it works and is relatively comfortable. The watch also looks nice on NATO or leather straps, and here, there are endless opportunities.
Conclusion
The Seiko Recraft SNKP23 is a fun and unique watch for someone who is looking for something different. As we would expect, it is well-made, robust, and sturdy, but naturally has some compromises in terms of build quality, which is nothing ordinary and definitely something we can live with at this price point.
But seeing it is packed with retro-inspired design elements – from the dial to the case and the bracelet, it’s certainly not a watch for everyone.
All in all, in terms of function, reliability, and finish, it’s definitely a watch that offers great value for money.
Specifications
- Lug-to-lug: 45.5mm
- Diameter: 39.5mm
- Thickness: 13mm
- Power reserve: 41 hours
- Jewels: 21
- Frequency: 21,600 bph
- Caliber: Seiko 7S26C caliber. Automatic.
- Lug width: 22mm
The Seiko Recraft SNKP23 is available to order on Amazon.
