by Tyler Frederick
Confessions of a Seiko Fan
On the extensive list of things I love in this world, two relate to this article: Seiko and new releases from Seiko. While this isn’t technically a “new” release (this watch was released in December 2023), it still has plenty of buzz around it, specifically regarding its overall design aesthetic. I had the opportunity to get my hands on the Seiko SSK023K1, and the time I’ve spent with it has been beyond enjoyable, so let’s get into it.
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Key Features of the Seiko SKK023K1 GMT
In 2022, Seiko released three new SKX-styled GMTs (SSK001K1, SSK003K1 and SSK005K1), which took the watch world by storm, and the SSK023 is the follow-up. At first glance, you might think, “That looks oddly familiar,” and you’d be correct. The design language of the SSK023K1 is reminiscent of a specific Swiss-made tool watch. Still, the Seiko is much more bank account friendly, and your significant other will be less upset when you come home with this one to add to your ever-growing mountain of Seikos and tool watches; we’re all in this together.
The SSK023 is close to my ideal sizing, with a 39.4mm case diameter, 47.9mm lug-to-lug, and an overall thickness of 13.6mm. If you judge the watch strictly from the spec list, the case diameter is fantastic, but it’s a little on the long side in lug-to-lug and a tad on the thicker side at 13.6mm. However, on the wrist, it feels balanced, and the proportions are fantastic; it’s a watch that feels familiar and reliable, like home, and the addition of the five-link bracelet was an incredible choice, making an already comfortable watch even more so.
Aesthetically, the SSK023 doesn’t break any design barriers and plays it decently safe; Seiko decided on a design that people would love, and they were right—I’m one of those people. The case, bracelet and 24-hour fixed bezel surrounding the curved Hardlex crystal share a similar brushed finish, creating a consistent and clean look. The dial underneath is a central talking point when mentioning the Hardlex crystal–a highly legible black-grain textured dial featuring 12-hour and 24-hour time formats, a colour-matched date wheel at 3:00, a hint of orange on the second hand and a striking orange GMT hand. While the dial does look busy, it’s well-calculated and effortless to read, which is typical of Seiko.
The watch’s power source is the always reliable and accurate Seiko 4R34 movement, which allows hacking, both hand-winding, and automatic capabilities, a date and adjustable 24-hour GMT hand, and a power reserve of approximately 41 hours.
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SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 39.4mm Diameter 47.9mm Lug to Lug 13.6mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Display Case Back 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Cambered Hardlex Textured Grain Dial Applied Markers/Numerals Sword Handset LumiBrite |
| Movement | Seiko 4R34 GMT 24 Jewels 21 600bph 41-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Stainless Steel Five-Link Bracelet /w Three-fold Clasp |
Seiko SSK023K1 GMT
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Quibbles
I’ve always been a fan of Seiko and the watches they produce year after year. However, with the SSK023, a couple of things stand out that I think should be adjusted. The first pertains to the Hardlex crystal. I understand the use of Hardlex is easy on the budget. Still, when other budget brands are using sapphire–and producing even more wallet-friendly watches (sometimes with the same movement)–it’s hard to understand why Seiko persists with Hardlex. The second “issue” has to do with the proportions of the case. While it is comfortable and generally wears well, as mentioned previously, it is slightly long and little tall. The bezel and curved crystal play a large part, of course.
Final Thoughts
It’s safe to say Seiko released yet another fantastic watch at a great price that I think any collector would enjoy. The design is a pure tool watch, and the sizing is excellent for any wrist. I want to thank our friends at Gem Bijou for giving me the opportunity to check out the SSK023K1. For more information, or to see the watch for yourself, check out the brand website, or shop for it at Gem Bijou and use “C321” at checkout.
Pricing & Availability
The Seiko SSK023K1 retails for $575CAD/$435USD and is available worldwide.
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About the author
Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.
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