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Nixon Time Teller Custom Build vs Seiko 5 Sports SRPD51

The Time Teller and the Seiko 5 Sports SRPD51 are both 100 m stainless steel watches, but they suit different wrists and habits. The Time Teller is a slim 37 mm quartz piece with a hardened mineral crystal and a quick-release bracelet; owners praise how light and unobtrusive it wears, and the 4.7 rating across a very large number of reviews backs that up. The SRPD51 is a 42.5 mm automatic with a day/date, LumiBrite, a rotating bezel and an exhibition back, and it is the one to pick if you want mechanical character and a bigger presence. On build, the Seiko's screw-down case back and automatic movement are the more substantial package; the Nixon wins on slimness, comfort and customization.

  • Choose the Time Teller if you want a thin, light everyday watch that fits small wrists and can be built to your own dial and band combination.
  • Choose the Seiko SRPD51 if you want an automatic movement, a day/date, strong lume and a rotating bezel in a larger, heavier watch.

Prices

  • Nixon Time Teller Custom Build: $70.00 at eBay (last seen Nov 8)
  • Seiko 5 Sports SRPD51: $280.00 at Time Square Clock Shop (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Nixon Time Teller Custom Build is $210.00 cheaper than the Seiko 5 Sports SRPD51 at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 9)
Time Teller
Time Teller - Custom Build

Nixon Time Teller Custom Build

Time Teller - Custom Build

4.7(94,575 ratings)
$70.00at eBayChecked Nov 8
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • Slim 9 mm case slips under a cuff and never catches
  • 37 mm size suits smaller wrists
  • Quick-release bracelet makes band swaps easy
  • Custom build options and engraving
  • 100 m water resistance for swimming and showers
Cons
  • Quartz movement has no mechanical appeal
  • No date, no lume and no rotating bezel
  • Hardened mineral crystal scratches more easily than sapphire
  • Time-only layout offers less function
Seiko
SRPD51

Seiko 5 Sports SRPD51

SRPD51

4.6(5 ratings)
$280.00at Time Square Clock ShopChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit Time Square Clock Shop
Pros
  • Automatic movement with manual winding and a 41-hour reserve
  • Day and date are genuinely useful daily
  • LumiBrite stays readable in the dark
  • Rotating bezel for timing
  • Exhibition back shows the movement
Cons
  • 13.4 mm thick and 170 g, heavy on smaller wrists
  • 42.5 mm case may overhang a narrow wrist
  • Hardlex crystal, not sapphire
  • No customization options

What separates them

Nixon Time Teller Custom BuildSeiko 5 Sports SRPD51
MovementJapanese quartz, Miyota 2035, three handsAutomatic 4R36 with manual winding, 24 jewels, about 41 hours reserve
Case size and thickness37 mm wide, 9 mm thick42.5 mm wide, 13.4 mm thick, 46 mm lug to lug
CrystalHardened mineralHardlex
ComplicationsTime onlyDay and date at 3 o'clock, unidirectional rotating bezel
LumeNo lume listedLumiBrite hands and markers
Bracelet20 mm five-link steel with quick release and locking clasp22 mm steel with deployment clasp
Case backStandard closed backScrew-down exhibition window
CustomizationBuild your own case, dial, chrono hand and band; engravableFixed factory configuration

Price history

$280.00$70.00
Nov 8Nov 10
  • Nixon Time Teller Custom Build: lowest $70.00 on Nov 8 at eBay; $75.00 on Nov 10.
  • Seiko 5 Sports SRPD51: lowest $280.00 on Nov 9 at Island Watch; $280.00 on Nov 10.

Prices at every store

Nixon Time Teller Custom Build

  • eBayNew

    In stock

    $70.00Checked Nov 8
    Visit eBay
  • ZumiezNew

    In stock

    $74.99Free shippingChecked Nov 8
    Visit Zumiez
  • Nordstrom RackNew

    In stock

    $89.97Free shippingChecked Nov 8
    Visit Nordstrom Rack
  • WhatnotNew

    Availability unknown

    $75.00Checked 7 h ago
    Visit Whatnot

Also available at

  • NIXONCheck price at NIXON

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 9 stores and price history →

Seiko 5 Sports SRPD51

  • Island WatchNew

    In stock

    $280.00Free shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit Island Watch
  • Time Square Clock ShopNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $280.00Checked Nov 9
    Visit Time Square Clock Shop
  • Paradise JewelryNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $280.00Checked Nov 9
    Visit Paradise Jewelry
  • Chrono24.comNew

    In stock

    $285.00+ $34.00 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Chrono24.com

Also available at

  • ELI ADAMS JEWELERSCheck price at ELI ADAMS JEWELERS
  • Seiko USACheck price at Seiko USA
  • ShopSeikoCheck price at ShopSeiko
All 15 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecNixon Time Teller Custom BuildSeiko 5 Sports SRPD51
Case thickness9mm13.4mm
Case materialStainless SteelStainless steel
Movement typeQuartz AnalogAutomatic with manual winding
MovementJapanese quartz 3-hand; Miyota 2035Seiko 24-Jewel Automatic (self-winding and hand…
WarrantyNixon offers a limited warranty.2 Years
Case size37mm—
Crystal materialHardened Mineral—
Water rating100 Meter / 10 ATM—
Lug measurement20mm—
Band materialStainless Steel—
Band connectionQuick Release—
Band typeFree Swing—
Show all 33 specsShow fewer specs
SpecNixon Time Teller Custom BuildSeiko 5 Sports SRPD51
Band taper20-18mm tapered custom 5-link stainless steel b…—
Watch Size37mm—
Watch Case MaterialStainless Steel—
Watch Case Thickness9mm—
Watch Crystal MaterialHardened Mineral—
Watch Movement TypeQuartz Analog—
Use CaseEveryday—
Calibre Number—4R36
Power Reserve—Approx. 41 hours
Jewels

What reviewers say

Nixon Time Teller Custom Build

  • 4.7 / 594,575 ratings

Owners rate the Time Teller highly, praising its slim profile, clean dial and the fun of customizing it. Complaints center on the mineral crystal and the bracelet feel rather than the movement.

What people mention
  • Case sizePraisedOwners like the 37mm case and 9mm thickness for fitting small wrists and sliding under sleeves.
  • CrystalCriticisedSome owners report the hardened mineral crystal scratching with daily wear.
  • BraceletMixedThe quick-release 5-link bracelet is easy to swap, but some find it rattly and light.
  • CustomizationPraisedBuyers enjoy choosing case, dial, hands and band to make the watch their own.

Seiko 5 Sports SRPD51

Owners treat the SRPD51 as a solid entry-level automatic diver. They praise the blue sunray dial, the lume and the hacking, hand-winding movement, and many wear it daily for years. Complaints center on the Hardlex crystal, the weight and size, and the modest bracelet.

What people mention
  • DialPraisedOwners say the blue sunray dial shifts with the light and looks richer than the watch's class suggests.
  • LumePraisedLumiBrite hands and markers stay readable for hours in the dark.
  • CrystalCriticisedThe Hardlex crystal is called out for scratching and for lacking the sapphire found on some rivals.
  • Size and weightMixedSome like the substantial feel, while others find the 42.5 mm case and 170 g too big and heavy.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a small wrist?
The Time Teller. At 37 mm wide and 9 mm thick it sits flat and stays out of the way. The SRPD51 is 42.5 mm with a 46 mm lug-to-lug and weighs 170 g, so it wears much larger.
Which keeps better time?
The Time Teller's quartz movement is more accurate day to day and needs only a battery change. The SRPD51 is a mechanical automatic rated within normal mechanical tolerances and runs down after about 41 hours off the wrist.
Is the Seiko worth stepping up to?
If you want an automatic movement, a day/date, lume and a bezel, yes. If you want a thin, light, customizable watch, the Time Teller is the better fit and there is no reason to step up.
Can I swim with either?
Yes. Both are rated 100 m (10 bar), which covers swimming and showering. Neither is a dive watch for deep diving.
Which lasts longer?
Both are stainless steel with mineral-family crystals. The Seiko's automatic movement can be serviced and has no battery, while the Nixon's quartz needs periodic battery changes; neither crystal resists scratches like sapphire.
Does the Time Teller come with a date?
No. It is a three-hand time-only watch. The SRPD51 adds a day and date window at 3 o'clock.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best watches
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24
Case Diameter—42.5mm
Lug-to-lug—46.0mm
Crystal—Hardlex
Distance between lugs—22
Water Resistance—10 bar
Weight—170.0
Case—Stainless Steel
Case Lug to Lug—46mm
Case Back—Exhibition window, screw-in back
Band—Stainless steel bracelet, deployant clasp.
Band Width—22mm