The Santos is one of those designs that never needs an introduction. Created over a century ago for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, it was one of the first wristwatches ever made for a man — and it's been turning heads ever since. Square case, exposed screws, integrated bracelet, unmistakable presence. There's nothing else quite like it.
What fewer people know is that the Seiko mod world has taken that silhouette and done something genuinely interesting with it — producing builds that carry the same architectural confidence at a fraction of the price, with genuine automatic movements and premium finishing that hold up in real life.
At Watches By Cody, three Santos builds stand apart from anything else currently available in the mod market. Not variations of the same watch with different dial colors — three distinct expressions of the Santos design, each with its own personality, its own aesthetic identity, and its own reason to exist.
Here they are.
1. Seiko Mod Santos Arabic Gray — $289
The One That Redefines the Santos Dial
The standard Santos dial is clean and minimal — stick indices, simple numerals, nothing that competes with the case for attention. The Arabic Gray version takes a different approach entirely.
Arabic numeral markers — bold, expressive, and immediately distinctive — replace the conventional layout, giving this Santos a character that reads as both vintage-inspired and completely contemporary. The gray dial grounds everything, providing a cooler, more understated backdrop that makes the Arabic numerals pop without the watch feeling loud. It's a combination that shouldn't work as well as it does, and yet on the wrist, it's one of the most compelling dial configurations in the entire collection.
The 38mm 316L stainless steel case carries the Santos's signature proportions cleanly — the octagonal bezel, the exposed screws, the integrated bracelet with butterfly clasp. Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment keeps the dial visible in any light. Tested waterproofing means it handles daily life without hesitation.
Underneath, the Seiko NH35 automatic movement winds itself with every movement of your wrist, keeping accurate time without batteries or fuss. It's the same proven caliber that powers some of the most trusted Seiko mods in the world — chosen here because reliability should be as much a part of the build as aesthetics.
This is the Santos for the person who wants something that looks like nothing else on anyone else's wrist. Because it isn't.
Why you won't find it anywhere else: The Arabic Gray dial configuration on a Santos silhouette is a rare combination. Most Santos mods play it safe with conventional layouts. This one doesn't — and it's better for it.
Specs at a glance:
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Case: 38mm / 12mm thickness, 316L stainless steel
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Movement: Seiko NH35 Automatic
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Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflective
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Bracelet: Adjustable 14.5cm – 22cm, butterfly clasp
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Waterproof: Tested & approved
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Price: $289
2. Seiko Mod Santos "9-5" White — $289
The Watch Built for the Life You Actually Live
The name says it all — and it says it with intention.
The "9-5" White is the Santos built for the person who wears a watch to work, through lunch, into the evening, and through the weekend without ever thinking about whether it's appropriate. The white dial is clean, professional, and completely at home in any setting from a Monday morning meeting to a Saturday dinner. It's a watch that transitions effortlessly because it never demands attention — it simply holds it.
White dials have a way of making a watch feel lighter and more versatile than darker alternatives. Against the Santos's square case and brushed stainless steel, it reads as crisp and modern — the kind of watch that looks like it was chosen deliberately, even when it's the one you just always reach for.
The 38mm case size is part of what makes this work so well as an everyday watch. It's not oversized. It doesn't push against the shirt cuff or announce itself from across the room. It simply sits on the wrist with confidence — present without being overwhelming, distinctive without being distracting.
The Seiko NH35 automatic movement, sapphire crystal, butterfly clasp, and tested waterproofing are consistent throughout the Santos lineup — because the foundation shouldn't change based on the colorway. What changes is the experience of wearing it, and the "9-5" White is built for the experience of wearing a watch through everything.
Why you won't find it anywhere else: Most Santos mods are built as statement pieces. The "9-5" White was built as a daily companion — and that specific intention, that focus on wearability across every context, is something rare in this market.
Specs at a glance:
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Case: 38mm / 12mm thickness, 316L stainless steel
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Movement: Seiko NH35 Automatic
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Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflective
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Bracelet: Adjustable 14.5cm – 22cm, butterfly clasp
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Waterproof: Tested & approved
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Price: $289
3. Seiko Mod Santos ADLC — $299
The Dark Horse
ADLC — Amorphous Diamond-Like Carbon — is a coating process borrowed from high-end Swiss watchmaking. It produces a deep, matte black finish that's harder than standard PVD coating, more resistant to scratching, and visually unlike anything else a watch can wear.
On the Santos silhouette, it transforms the design entirely. The warmth of polished steel disappears. In its place: something colder, more architectural, more severe — in the best possible sense. The exposed screws read differently against black. The integrated bracelet carries a different weight visually. The octagonal bezel becomes sharper, more defined. It's the same Santos, but it feels like a completely different object.
This is the watch for the person who looks at a conventional steel watch and wants something with more edge. Not more color, not more complication — more darkness. More intention. A watch that communicates a specific point of view and doesn't apologize for it.
The Seiko NH35 automatic movement, sapphire crystal, and butterfly clasp are consistent with the rest of the Santos lineup. At $299 — just $10 more than the Arabic Gray and "9-5" White — the ADLC coating represents a considerable upgrade in visual impact for minimal additional cost.
ADLC-finished watches at the Swiss end of the market carry significant premiums. Finding it on a hand-assembled 38mm Santos with a genuine automatic movement at under $300 is not something you'll find everywhere.
Why you won't find it anywhere else: ADLC finishing on a Seiko mod Santos at this price point is genuinely rare. Most mod builders don't go to this level of finishing. This one does.
Specs at a glance:
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Case: 38mm / 12mm thickness, 316L stainless steel, ADLC coating
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Movement: Seiko NH35 Automatic
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Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflective
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Bracelet: Adjustable 14.5cm – 22cm, butterfly clasp
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Waterproof: Tested & approved
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Price: $299
Three Santos, Three Identities
What makes these three builds interesting — and what separates them from most Santos mods on the market — is that they're not variations of the same watch. They're three completely different expressions of the same silhouette, each built for a different kind of person and a different kind of wearing life.
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Arabic Gray Santos — for the person who wants something distinctive and unhurried, a dial that rewards a closer look
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"9-5" White Santos — for the person who wants a watch that works as hard as they do, across every hour of the day
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ADLC Santos — for the person who wants something with genuine edge, a watch that looks unlike anything else in the room
All three share the same foundation: genuine Seiko NH35 automatic movement, 38mm 316L stainless steel case, sapphire crystal, butterfly clasp, tested waterproofing, 1-year warranty, and worldwide express shipping. The difference is entirely in character — and there's one here for every kind of wrist.
Choosing the right watch is ultimately about more than just specifications—it’s about finding a piece that fits seamlessly into your daily life. The best watches are the ones you don’t have to think twice about—reliable, versatile, and naturally aligned with your personal style.
At Watches By Cody, our goal is simple: to offer watches that combine timeless design, dependable performance, and real-world wearability—without the unnecessary markup often found in traditional luxury retail. We focus on pieces that look refined, feel right on the wrist, and hold up over time.
If you’re ready to find a watch that fits both your style and your lifestyle, explore our latest collection at Watches By Cody and discover the piece that works for you.
