Seiko has recently begun selling reissued models of their famous "Seiko 5" watches, many with exhibition backs. This 21 jewel automatic wristwatch became well known decades ago, and with the Seiko automatic divers watch, helped make the name Seiko an American icon beginning in the 1960's. The reputation hasn't changed; Seiko still stands for affordable, sturdy watches of good quality. Sadly, however, they make fewer automatics, focusing mostly on their quartz and "kinetic" ranges, as well as solar models no doubt intended to compete with Citizen's "eco-drive" solar models.
While the re-issue Seiko 5 is a decent watch, it is a reissue. It isn't original. It also uses a different mechanism, employing the Automatic 7S26 as opposed to the 6119 auto in my 1979 Seiko 5. As it's reissue is prompted by the response the original received, one could ask: Is the original not a "truer" Seiko 5? This is especially so when you consider that the movement used in the current models is actually developed from my S5's 6119 automatic movement.
This wristwatch is a grey dial Seiko 5, original, though not THE original, as it was made toward the later years. Manufacture date, according to the Seiko and Citizen Forum's database, is 1979. Stainless steel case. How does it compare to the new version?
First, the watch was a flea market find, pulled out of the junk bin of a dealer who didn't know what he had. That said, it has seen years of use -- as it was intended to. There was some grime built up on the angles of the case and around the bezel and lugs, and the crystal has a few scratches. I cleaned up the case but will polish out the crystal later. For now, let's just say that the watch has been worn as intended over the years -- these weren't meant to be babied -- and I am not the original owner. 
The crystal: This sets the watch apart from the newer models. Even those with the display backs employ mineral glass crystals. Mineral glass, as most watch enthusiasts know, is much more easily damaged by scratches and nicks than apphire crystal or even acrylic. Moreover, the mostly flat mineral crystals employed on new reissue "5"'s do not comform to it's vintage airs. The watch is an icon of yesterday, and watches from those years were known for having thick, domed acrylic crystals. Thankfully, this "5" is one of those. The crystal isn't as thick as that on my Zeno Explorer or even my Enicar, but it isn't flat like the new Seiko 5. And it has a pleasant curve.
Face: The face is grey, with raised silvered markers and hands. The hour and minute hands are pointed with luminous material on the inside rather than the ends. The silvered second hand has no lume. Around the dial, luminous dots appear at the end of each marker, outside the faint minute track. The Seiko and 5 logos are raised and silvered. Above the 6, the watch is marked Automatic, 21 jewels, in silver text. The day-date window is at the 3 position, outlined in thick silver, with a white on black numbered wheel for the date. It's really sharp!
Movement: Not much to say here. The movement is the 21 jewel automatic that goes by the designation number 6119 and appears to have been used in many Seiko 5's and some other watches. The case is somewhat more modern, being less rounded with well defined lugs, unlike the ovalized '60s shapes employed on other examples I have seen.
Case: All stainless steel with a screw-back. Small crown at 4 position partially hidden by the top of the case. Lug width is 20mm.
Caseback is marked the archaic "waterproof"!
