6 of the Best 38mm Seiko Watches: A Buying Guide

Men are naturally attracted to watches with bold and bulky designs. However, big dials and cases can appear unflattering if you have a small wrist size. 

As a result, we made a list of the 6 best 38mm watches that you can wear on either a formal or casual occasion.

Therefore, whether you are into a sporty, classic dress, or even robust timepieces, our top picks will cover each style of the best 38mm Seiko watches.

Quick links:

• Seiko SNKL23J1 Black Dial Stainless Steel Watch 
• Seiko Men’s SNK805 Seiko 5
• Seiko SNE215 Men Solar Stainless Steel
• Seiko SKX013K2 Dive Watch
• Seiko SNKL41K1 Year-Round Automatic Watch
• Grand Seiko GMT SBGM221

1. Seiko 5 SNKL23J1 Black Dial Stainless Steel Watch 

Why do we like it? – Minimalistic yet very classy look. 

Seiko 5 SNKL23J1 is another great watch from Japanese watchmaking giant Seiko. It delivers a power-packed performance featuring a silver-tone band, case, and black dial. 

The watch has a stainless steel case and bracelet and a fixed stainless steel bezel. This timepiece also has a great contrast color thanks to its black dial with luminous silver-tone hands and index hour markers. With the black dial, the silver minute hands stand out beautifully. 

It features an analog dial type with luminescent hands and markers. On the 3 o’clock position are displayed the date and the day of the week.

This Seiko analog watch provides 30 meters (100 feet) water resistance for occasional splashes and comes with a scratch-resistant Hardlex cover.

The watch has a round case shape with a transparent case back. As for the case size it is 38mm with 10mm case thickness making this timepiece very slim and suitable for men with small wrist sizes. 

Seiko 5 SNKL23J1 is a classic, casual watch style that goes perfectly with both sporty occasions and the more formal ones.

2. Seiko Men’s SNK805 Seiko 5

Why do we like it? – It does not look just like any other watch. The military-like band and sporty dial make this timepiece special. 

This beautiful timepiece is inspired by military design. With its army analog green dial, the stainless steel watch has a bold and busy look and only measures 37 mm in diameter and 11 mm in thickness.

So it appears that this watch is slimmer than expected, but there is a thin line between 38m and 37mm; therefore, we cannot miss mentioning this beautiful timepiece in our list!

There are Arabic numerals and minute numerals around the outer dial, while the inner circle has luminescent hands and an automatic movement. On the second hand, there is a red tip that makes hands easily recognizable.

Seiko 5’s band contains a buckle closure and is patterned after army green nylon. They used their signature Hardlex mineral on the dial cover for scratch- and scrape resistance. As for the case and stationary bezel, they used stainless steel. 

When it comes to day and date, they are displayed at the 3 o’clock position. This watch can also be water-resistant to 30 meters (100 feet); therefore, it can withstand water splashes. 

3. Seiko SNE215 Men Solar Stainless Steel

Why do we like it? – Another classy, slim men’s watch that never goes out of style!

A name like Solar doesn’t take much imagination; however, it has an eye-catching bracelet design that’s comfortable on the wrist. Provides easy reading, keeps water out very effectively, and offers excellent value for money. The Seiko Solar qualifies as an excellent buy due to its ability to withstand adverse conditions.

Seiko SNE215 watch has a stainless-steel bracelet and a 38mm round case that fits perfectly on slim wrists. As for almost every Seiko watch, this one, too, has a Hardlex crystal that protects the watch from scratches and everyday wear and tear. 

This timepiece is also water-resistant up to 100 meters (30 feet), making this watch an ideal companion when snorkeling or swimming. 

You’ll never have to worry about charging your watch frequently, thanks to its solar-powered nature. The Seiko SNE215 stainless steel solar watch has branding on the sunray dial and a date window at the 3 o’clock position. With luminous hands and markers and a black dial, this is one of the most minimalistic and classic watches from Seiko. 

It is very modest timepiece; there is nothing too overpowering, no crystals, mixed colors, or unusual hands. But, that is the whole point of this watch, and that is the main reason it is today on our list of the top 38mm Seiko watches. 

4. Seiko SKX013K2 Dive Watch

Why do we like it? – A sporty watch that easily captures an athlete’s eye with great water resistance.

Guys with smaller wrists have difficulty finding dive watches with the right dimensions. Divers watches remain firmly rooted in the idea that bigger is better.

Regardless of price or size, Seiko always has the answer to common dive watch dilemmas!

The Seiko SKX013K2 is a mid-sized dive watch with a case diameter of 37 mm and a thickness of 11.5 mm. While its stainless steel case fits very well, the dial also features the familiar day and date combination at 3 o’clock. Dial covers are made from Hardlex, better known as a scratch-resistant mineral from Seiko.

The round black analog dial has white luminescent hands and geometric indices and is equipped with a 21-jewel automatic movement. 

It also features a matching bracelet-style band with a deployment safety clasp. Since this is a dive watch, it’s water-resistant to 200 meters (660 feet) which is pretty great. 

5. Seiko SNKL41K1 Year-Round Automatic Watch

Why do we like it? – Great choice for starting your watch collection or for buying as a gift. Very simple, very classy, and affordable, so it’s hard to make a mistake. 

While the SEIKO SNKL41K1 watch is on the budget side, its details have been designed with extreme care. With its slim and elegant size of 38mm dial, the watch comes with contoured edges and satin brushing on the lugs that look stunning.

The polished hour indices and luminescent dots on the white silverish dial add to its elegance. You can subject it to occasional splashes when wearing the watch every day, as it remains water-resistant up to 30 meters (100 feet).

Thickness of the watch’s is only 10mm; therefore, this timepiece falls under the slim Seiko watches. The SEIKO SNKL41K1 represents an automatic watch with a day and a date function at three o’clock. 

It has a white dial and is covered with a high-quality hardlex, while the strap is made of stainless steel. 

This Seiko watch also has a see-through case, so you can admire the movement. Some will prefer this feature, while someone might not. 

6. Grand Seiko GMT SBGM221

Why do we like it? – The watch has a flawless, vintage design with great features. 

And our sixth 38mm Seiko watch is the Grand Seiko GMT SBGM221. We wanted to save the best for last. But, even before we move on to its specification, be aware that this watch is totally different from the others mentioned above, both design and price-wise. 

Grand Seiko is well known for a few hallmarks, such as its minute attention to detail, its unmatched finishing prowess, and its mastery of GMT complications. 

And all these three features are included in this amazing watch. With a 3-day power reserve, the SBGM221 combines the latest hairspring technology. Using MEMS technology, this dial provides high accuracy and stability while worn. It watch represents pure classic elegance with an ivory dial complementing the blue steel 24-hour hand.

The case diameter of this watch is 39.5mm, which is a little bit bigger than our 38mm expectation, but with this watch, we can make some compromises. In terms of case thickness , it is 13.7mm, which is also a bit bigger, but it is still something we can deal with it.

The watchband is brown leather with an ivory dial and stainless steel bezel while the dial window is covered with anti-reflective sapphire, which exudes elegance. There is a manual winding capacity on the movement, and the calendar date is situated at three o’clock.

The overall look of this watch is just beautiful, and it is one of our favorite slim Seiko watches. 

Summary

Big and robust watches are definitely a thing of the past. Even people with bigger wrists opt for slim watches because they are more elegant, classy, and never run out of style. 

Luckily, the Seiko brand is never failing us. They have a wide collection of slim timepieces, including the ones around 38mm Seiko watches. The top 6 watches mentioned above have captured our attention with a case diameter difference of a millimeter or two. With Seiko’s compatibility, style, and design, you can never make a wrong call.