Side by side

Seiko 5 Sports SKX seriesvsZelos Helmsman 3

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

5 Sports SKX series
Seiko5 Sports SKX series
MSRP $315
Helmsman 3
ZelosHelmsman 3
MSRP $529

At a glance

13 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
5 Sports SKX series28mm
Helmsman 340mm
Power Reserve
5 Sports SKX series40h
Helmsman 340h
Water Resistance
5 Sports SKX series100m
Helmsman 3200m
MSRP
5 Sports SKX series$315
Helmsman 3$529

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
Sport
Diver
Diameter
28mm
40mm
Thickness
11.2mm
11.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
33.1mm
40mm
Lug Width
14mm
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel
Water Resistance
100m
200m

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
Crystal
Hardlex
Domed Sapphire
Dial Color
Black
SS - Frost
Lume
LumiBrite on hands and index(es)
None

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
2R06
Miyota 9015
Jewels
21
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$315
$529

Follow this matchup

Get a note when Seiko 5 Sports SKX series vs Zelos Helmsman 3 gets more votes, a community discussion, or a price drop. No account needed.

What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Seiko 5 Sports SKX series

Owners widely praise the Seiko 5 Sports SKX series for its iconic dive watch design, robust build, and excellent value, with many appreciating its timeless styling and tool-like character. The movement, while basic, is noted as offering hacking and hand-winding capabilities, and accuracy varies, with many owners reporting +/-5 to 10 seconds per day despite the movement's potential for +/-40 seconds. Some owners find the original SKX models heavier and bulkier than newer iterations, while others critique the lack of a screw-down crown and ISO rating on the newer Seiko 5 Sports SKX series, deeming it less of a serious tool watch. Overall, owners rate the Seiko 5 Sports SKX series highly for its enduring design and value proposition as a robust, everyday watch.

Zelos Helmsman 3

Owners widely praise the Zelos Helmsman 3 for its exceptional finishing and polishing on the titanium case, with some noting it feels nicer than previous models. The unique Titanium Crystalline Dial and Damascus Titanium dial are frequently highlighted as aesthetically pleasing and head-turning features, especially considering the price point. The brushed beads of rice bracelet is described as fitting well, and the on-the-fly clasp is considered amazing. Lume is also noted as great, with lumed crowns being a positive observation. However, some owners report the watch can feel top-heavy with sharp edges, making it uncertain as a daily driver for some. The meteorite bezel is seen by one owner as not adding significant value, and the stock strap's keepers and stitching were considered to detract from the watch's appearance.

Keep exploring

More watches worth a look

Matched to the watches above on size, movement, style and price — microbrands first. Open any one to dig in.

Adjacent matchups

People also compared

Comparisons nearby in the catalog — alternatives to the watches above paired against the matchup.