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Seiko Solar SNE325 Review & Complete Guide
When it comes to affordable watches, Seiko is often a go-to choice for many. And this is not surprising considering the fact that Seiko’s watches punch well above their own weight and offer great value for money.
If you are looking for something bold, sporty, and unique, Seiko may just have the watch for you, and it is called Solar SNE325.
The watch has a very unique design and works just as much as a piece of wrist decoration as it does as a watch. What’s more, the SNE325 incorporates very clever technology.
Seiko SNE325 review
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The Seiko SNE325 with its bold design is certainly not for everyone. Its design stands out from the crowd due to its all-black look, as well as its sporty integrated bracelet design with visible screws. If you’re looking for something minimalistic and classic, this is not it.
In this article, we are going to review and look closer at the Seiko SNE325.
Seiko SNE325 case
The first you’ll probably notice when looking at this watch is its unique case shape and its bracelet integration which continues from the case and changes its look and shape.
The watch has a 41mm case and weighs 138 grams. Most of that weight is not due to the bracelet but rather because of the solid build structure of the case. With that said, it’s not a watch that flies under the radar, whether for yourself or others. The case has a dark gunmetal finish which means the steel is essentially black. This has a huge impact on the look of the watch and its overall sportiness.
It has a case thickness of 10 millimeters so, despite its rather bulky case design, it sits relatively slimmed on the wrist. What is so interesting about this timepiece is that it proves that despite having a bold design, watches can be surprisingly versatile.
If we turn the watch around, we find a solid steel screw-down case back. The bezel is polished to create a dressier look, and the lugs are satin-finished. The sides of the case are also polished.
Positioned at 3 o’clock is a slightly recessed crown.
The watch has a water resistance of 100 meters/330 feet. This is enough for swimming and showering but not ideal for diving.
Seiko SNE325 dial
The dial is also a striking element of this watch. It is completely black but also plays with textures which means that it doesn’t appear completely black. Due to the waved sunburst texture on the dial, it reflects the light beautifully and creates a rich depth which makes it so much more appealing to look at.
The dial has relatively large applied metal markers and dauphine-style shaped hands. The downside of this watch is that it isn’t very legible. Most parts of the dial are black, and the metal hands do not create a very good contrast. With the hands painted white, the legibility would have been so much better, but we’re not sure if the watch would have looked good.
The watch keeps the dial printing at a minimum and only has an applied Seiko logo at 12 o’clock, with ”Solar” and ”100m” printed beneath the center of the hands.
Positioned at 3 o’clock on the dial, we have the date window with a metal frame around it. Instead of the more common black printed on a white background, this watch has silver printed on a white background which blends into the dial seamlessly.
Sitting on top of the case is a Hardlex crystal. Not as hard as sapphire crystal but more scratch-resistant than regular mineral glass. This is ok for a watch in this price range.
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Seiko SNE325 bracelet
The bracelet is naturally an important part of this watch’s identity. With most other Seiko watches, it is common for owners to swap the bracelet for a strap or bracelet of their choice. But obviously, with this watch, it’s not quite that simple.
Just like the case, the bracelet has a dark gunmetal color. It has satin-finished links, except for two polished small links on each side of the middle link. The bracelet is attached with 2 screws on each side, and in terms of integration, it looks like the bracelet is a part of the case – as should be with an integrated link watch.
Movement
Now here comes the really interesting part about this watch. This watch is part of Seiko’s Solar collection, which means its battery is solar-driven and the energy for the watch is generated by the light.
The watch uses the Seiko caliber V157 which is a Japanese Quartz solar movement. The battery is not only charged by direct sunlight but also by ambient light. When fully charged, it lasts 10 months. This clever technology removes the need for replacing batteries which is both more convenient and better for the environment.
The light is caught via the dial and then converted into energy for the movement.
Specifications
- Power reserve: 10 months
- Diameter: 41mm
- Thickness: 10mm
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Crystal: Hardlex
Conclusion
The Seiko SNE325 is a unique and different watch both in terms of design and technology. Its clever solar-powered movement is an interesting piece of innovation that is extremely practical. The gunmetal-colored case and bracelet add to the sportiness of the watch and its integrated bracelet together with the bold case make this a very interesting timepiece. Surprisingly, the watch is extremely versatile and is still rather discreet thanks to its all-black look. With that said, it can work just as well with smoking as with more casual clothing.
The Seiko SNE325 is a watch for someone who wants something unique and different that stands out from the crowd, at an affordable price yet with great build quality. The main downside is the watch’s legibility due to the all-black dial and the chrome hands.
The Seiko Solar SNE325 is available to order on Amazon.
