Television presenter James May spotted wearing a Seiko

James May was photographed wearing a Seiko 5 SNXF01K while on location in Mongolia, almost certainly during production work for one of his travel-focused television projects. The setting — remote, rugged, and unforgiving — turned out to be entirely appropriate for the watch on his wrist.

The Seiko 5 SNXF01K is built around the calibre 7S26, a 21-jewel automatic movement beating at 21,600 vph with a power reserve of approximately 40 hours. It offers day-date display, no hacking seconds, and no manual winding — functional limitations that purists occasionally grumble about, but which have proven entirely irrelevant to the millions of owners who simply wear and rely on it daily. The stainless steel case measures 37mm with a black dial and an integrated bracelet, and the SNXF01K variant features an Arabic numeral layout that gives it a slightly military, utilitarian character compared to other references in the 5 lineup.

The Seiko 5 range traces its origins to 1963, built around five core principles: automatic movement, day-date display, water resistance, recessed crown at 4 o'clock, and a durable case and bracelet. The SNXF01K sits firmly within that tradition. Among collectors, it occupies an interesting niche — too inexpensive to be seriously traded, yet respected as a gateway mechanical watch and a legitimate daily wearer that requires no apology.

James May has long projected an image built on mechanical credibility rather than status signalling. A television presenter who genuinely understands how engines, instruments, and devices work, May wearing a sub-$100 Seiko in one of the world's most remote landscapes reads less as a stunt and more as a straightforward personal choice. It fits.

On the grey market, the SNXF01K trades close to or slightly below its original retail price, reflecting both its wide availability and the fact that buyers seek it for use rather than speculation. For anyone looking for a proven automatic at minimal cost, the Seiko 5 SNXF01K remains one of the most rational purchases in watchmaking.