Seiko 5 Sports Collection Our Thoughts on the Big News

November 24, 2021

The return of the Seiko 5 Sports line is here with 27 different models based off of a familiar case.Between entertaining my daughter in the kiddie pool, drinking ice cold Keo, and engaging in deep, meaningful discussions with my wife (ok, shed beg to differ on that last point) while on holiday in Cyprus, I actually did check my email every so often.? On one of these occasions, I received an email from Seiko informing me about the return of the Seiko 5 Sports line.? Aside from seeing a very familiar case (that, mind you, had already been leaked some months back on forums) and a different style of logo, I kind of passed the email off as a typical email from Seiko that tells me of news that we already know.? Another Mai Tai please!? But then, the next morning I decided to read a bit more deeply and there is definitely more at work here and it deserves attention.? So, well give it just due, talk a little about the beloved SKX007 C its an elephant perching within the confines, and Ill provide some thoughts on this new line and what it may portend.The Seiko 6106-8120, the first Seiko 5 Sports modelSeiko 5 Sports – Some HistorySeiko introduced its 5 lineup way back in 1963 with the Sportsmatic.? This is old news, but the 5 stands for the following: an automatic movement, a day-date display at the three oclock position, water resistance, a recessed crown at the four oclock position and a case and bracelet built for durability.? Weve even taken a look at a couple Sportsmatic models within #TBT, such as the 1967 6619-8230 and another model that was possibly used in the Vietnam War by a special forces group, the 6619-8060.? But in 1968, Seiko introduced the Seiko 5 Sports line of watches meant to address the burgeoning trend of water sports such as skin diving, snorkeling, water skiing and the like.? The first model was actually the 6106-8120 that you see above C apologies if youre not a fan of the album in the background.? Essentially, the watches were meant to survive more rigorous activity while also bringing in sportier styling elements such as bright colors, rotating bezels, etc.? The Sports nomenclature was used on everything from light divers, field watches, chronographs and even gave way to movements like kinetic quartz.Some Legendary, Collectible WatchesIt wasnt always the case that Seiko 5 Sports watches were less expensive counterparts to functionally comparable regular Seiko line watches C more often known as Prospex today, but it seems to be the case now.? Looking at todays (or yesterdays) lineup, for example, there are models that look like Monsters, but theyre not in terms of water resistance or they likely contain a lower spec automatic.? Looking back, though, Id invite you to take a look at an article I penned on the fabulous vintage Seiko Sports Divers.? Youll note that these debuted in the late 60s and it was clear that Seiko was very, um, unclear on their direction at the time.Some models changed from Seiko to Seiko 5 Sports as the line was established while others curiously remained as normal Seikos.? Perhaps these were regional decisions and Ive not decoded it yet, but there are some all-time classics within this subset of watches regardless of the inconsistent beginnings.? Names like Rally, Sushi Roll, UFO, Kamen Rider and the Regatta are just some of the pieces that, for my money, gave the Swiss a proper beating at the time.? And so, where does that leave us now?The New Seiko 5 Sports – A New LogoWith the revamped Seiko 5 Sports watches, Seiko tells us that its looking back on the last 5 decades of its Sports watches in an effort to bring us an upgraded experience, but with all the same traits that weve grown to enjoy.? To dedicate the occasion, we also have the dawn of a new logo that will come to differentiate your Sports model from a normal Seiko 5.? That logo is somewhat of a sideways 5 thats shaped within the traditional Seiko 5 shield.? Frankly, it looks a lot like the Superman logo and its been catching some guff on forums.? My view?? Its a little odd, but much like any longstanding product that receives a refresh, I think getting used to the logo will simply take time.Seiko SRPD55K1Upgraded MovementsTheres good news in the engine room as well because these Seiko 5 Sports watches are equipped with the 4R36 automatic.? Gone are the Seiko days of relying on the shake and set method C ironically, a sales feature of early Seiko 5s with their magic levers – to get things going as this watch can be hand wound and hacks.? In fact, its the same movement thats in the pricier Prospex Turtle series. ?But whats somewhat surprising is the case shape that Seiko chose to debut the refreshed line.Seiko SRPD83K1A Very Familiar Case with 27 VariantsYes, the Seiko 5 Sports watches debut with an astounding 27 different variants and all use a case, handset, and indexes very reminiscent of the dearly beloved SKX007: a model thats often credited as the gateway drug for budding watch enthusiasts.? Thats kind of a wild choice because, on the one hand, Seiko is playing it seriously safe with this tried and true look.? On the other hand, the SKX007 was never officially part of the Seiko 5 series, but thats a topic for a later paragraph. ?There are a number of different aesthetic choices for the case including steel, rose gold coated steel and black hard-coating.Seiko SRPD76K1The dial choices include cream, black, blue, green, burgundy, orange, aged black, aged blue, aged green, black with red indices (!), black with blue indices, black with black indices, black with gold highlights, green with some sort of crackly topography, and what looks like brown with a similar surface.? Thats a lot!? Ditto for the bezels as there are myriad choices C sadly none contain a lume pip at 12:00.Seiko SRPD69K1Yes, there are 27 watches and they all fit into 5 different sub-sections called Sports, Suits, Street, Sense, and Specialist.? Im not sure how sporty those are aside from the first one, but Seiko felt the need to give some order to things.Seiko SRPD85K1Loads of Bracelet & Strap OptionsThe bracelet choices also range wildly on the new Seiko 5 Sports collection.? We have an oyster style bracelet, mesh, nylon, and some sort of silicone/leather combination.? Wild!? Seiko chose Hardlex for the crystal and a screw-down case back that weve yet to see.? You can bet that theres no tsunami motif, though, as these watches are only water resistant down to 100 meters.? Another nod to the lighter sporting intentions of this watch is the decision to forego the use of a screw-down crown.Seiko SRPD51K2Frankly, its the one omission that both surprises me and disappoints even though Seiko 5 watches don t feature screw-down crowns.? At 42.5mm in diameter, though, this size will please anyone who has ever held or considered an SKX007.? What we also dont know is whether the case contains drilled lug holes as this is common practice on recent Seikos.? Then again, this is common practice for recent Seiko divers and these are clearly not true divers.Seiko SRPD59K1Great Options Overall at Roughly 300 EurosSo what do I think about the new Seiko 5 Sports collection aesthetically (well get around to technical merits and demerits at the end)?? All in all, I really like them and with retail pricing between 280 and 340 Euros (lets be honest, theyll be less expensive on Amazon), theyll sell these by the boatloads once they become available in September.? The styling is Seiko-familiar and even addresses the modder market that loves to experiment with this case and all of its elements.? Im not a fan of the script Automatic above 6:00 and would have liked something a bit more technical looking, but its a minor point.? Personal favorite?? Theres an orange-dialed model thats a fairly close reinterpretation of the 7548-700C from the early 80s or the more recent SKX011 and Id go in that direction.The End of the SKX007, a ShameShifting gears, lets talk about the SKX007 and its relatives.? For all the questioning we get about whether the 007 is truly dead or not, Id say that the introduction of the Seiko 5 Sports watches puts a final nail in the coffin for the old soldier.? The 7S26 movement is done and thats all the more evident by the fact that the more highly specd 4R36 is ending up in more accessible models now.? But for all the reasons that it was time to send the old SKXs packing, this was and still is a tremendously popular watch.? Theyre still on Amazon and still a popular favorite amongst collectors and newbies alike.? And so, Im here to say C and say it aloud C I dont quite get the Seiko 5 Sports strategy.? Yes, they brought us the case design that we know and love with loads of variants, but they brought it in a watered-down version.? I mean honestly, this case design has been around for 40+ years as it debuted in 1978 on the aforementioned quartz 7548-7000.? After that, the basic case design has done time in models such as the 7002, 7S36, 7C43, SBCM023, and that sampling eschews the vast range of mid-size pieces that used this general shape.? One common theme is that all of them contained a screw-down crown and, if I am not mistaken, were ISO-rated dive watches.? For $250 or so, every person could choose quartz or automatic and roll with a watch that could and still can, truly do it all C especially those quartz pieces.? So, yes, I find this to be a bit of sacrilege concerning the case style, but perhaps Gerard is right and that the $200 mechanical diver is essentially dead (just don t tell the Russians).Seiko SRPD61K1No Screw-Down Crown on a Case that Always Had OneI ll belabor the point a bit more.? With the Seiko 5 Sports lineup, we get a hell of a lot more show, but less go and, to me, it all comes down to the lack of a screw-down crown. ?Ok, I think adding a lume pip at 12:00 is a no-brainer, but the crown strikes me as a misstep.? Now, Seiko would tell us that original 60s Sport Divers also lacked a screw-down crown and theyd be correct, but those watches didnt pilfer a case that had always been associated with real divers.? Here was an opportunity to take the SKX007, finally define it within a Seiko line C I think Prospex wouldve been more suitable C and give the people what they truly wanted with all kinds of variants and an upgraded movement.? Im far off from being a marketing expert, but it feels to me that Seiko actually downgraded the SKX007 in order to try and make watches like the Mini-Turtle and Turtle seem better and to keep from cannibalizing sales of these pieces.? These new 5 Sports actually have everything else going for them aside from the crown and bezel pip C everything!? Well guess what?? Seiko offers loads of competing products at similar price points.? Take a look at the $1000 C 1200 range and you have the 1968 Modern Reinterpretation models, the 62MAS Modern Reinterpretation models, and the Sumo!? So, in the end, Im sorry to say, but I dont completely get it.? So yes, I think it would have been better to launch a new series of SKX models with perhaps a lower number of variants (and, as Seiko does, make additional models as Special Editions) and then to relaunch Seiko 5 Sports with a different, new case style.Seiko SRPD57K1Final ThoughtsYoull never hear me complain about more mechanical offerings at an attainable price point, especially with quality in-house movements as in the Seiko 5 Sports lineup.? I think its great that Seiko is addressing the fan bases interest in modding and in wishing for more variants.? ?And honestly, some are downright gorgeous…that green!? The fact that these watches will be available globally is also a real step in the right direction.? I only wish theyd decided to offer a crown made for diving to make the watch more authentic and in keeping with what this case style has always meant for buyers.? For certain, Ill be excited to go hands-on with one and Im sure Ill end up adding one – or more –? to the stable.? Im also interested to see what else Seiko adds to this lineup; lets hope they bring back some cool 70s shapes with moderate case sizes.? Im very curious to hear what the fans think of these new pieces and which you like best, so let us know below!? See every variant in our gallery below with their reference numbers.For more information on the Seiko 5 Sports lineup, head to the official new Seiko 5 Sports site. SEIKO SRPD67K1 Seiko SRPD61K1 Seiko SRPD85K1 Seiko SRPD83K1 Seiko SRPD81K1 Seiko SRPD79K1 Seiko SRPD77K1 Seiko SRPD76K1 Seiko SRPD75K1 Seiko SRPD73K2 Seiko SRPD73K1 Seiko SRPD71K2 Seiko SRPD71K1 Seiko SRPD69K1 Seiko SRPD65K4 Seiko SRPD65K3 Seiko SRPD65K2 Seiko SRPD65K1 Seiko SRPD63K1 Seiko SRPD59K1 Seiko SRPD57K1 Seiko SRPD55K3 Seiko SRPD55K2 Seiko SRPD55K1 Seiko SRPD53K1 Seiko SRPD51K2 Seiko SRPD51K1 Watch specifications Brand Seiko Model Seiko 5 SportsReference VariousDial VariousCase Material Stainless Steel, including extra hard black coating and rose gold-colored coatingCase Dimensions 42.5mm Diameter, 22mm Lug WidthCrystal Hardlex Mineral CrystalCase Back Screw Down Stainless Steel Movement Seiko 4R36 Automatic, Hand Winding, Hacking, Quick Set Day and DateWater Resistance 100 MetersStrap VariousFunctions Time (HH:MM:SS), Dive BezelPrice 280 - 340 EurosWarranty 3 YearsSpecial Note(s) Available September 2019