This is it! A reboot of the Seiko 5 Sports collection.
Fifty years down the line, to add to that. Yeah, you read that right. The refreshed Seiko 5 Sports collection can trace its roots back to the 60s – 1968 to be exact. Wait, I know what you’re thinking at this point. “Wasn’t the Seiko 5 introduced in 1963?” That’s when the Seiko 5 Sportsmatic was introduced so yes, you are correct. The 5 Sports line, however, was launched years later.
It was widely believed that the reason behind the move to introduce the ‘5 Sports’ line was to cope with the increasing demand of watches designed for water sports. Hence, the ‘Sports’ tag. Now, I’m confident that many fans of the Seiko 5 will know the reason behind the fabled number. Just in case you don’t, here’s what it stood for:-
- Automatic winding
- Day-date display
- Water resistance
- Recessed crown at 4 o’clock
- “Durable” case and bracelet/strap
However, it should be said that there are sources still in the midst of debating what the five criteria truly are. For instance, certain quarters mention the Diashock system as one of the five elements. Whatever they may be, it’s safe to call the Seiko 5 a true cult classic. Sports nomenclature or not, the Seiko 5 is arguably every watch geek’s gateway drug. The one that got them hooked before we moved on to heavier stuff.
Well, I mention move on but I’m sure we’re all still capable of enjoying it regardless of the state of our collection. And enjoy I will because the new 5 Sports are pretty amazing. Honestly, I don’t agree with a few variants but no one can fault Seiko for taking the risk and trying something a little more adventurous. The previous 5 Sports didn’t spark the level of ‘WANT’ in me that these new ones do.
“… and why is that? What’s the big difference?”
Well, for starters, the revamped models appear to have a cleaner dial. It’s not as text-heavy as its predecessors. As for the new 5 logo, well, that’s a controversial one, eh? While some people are buying into it, a quick check on forums would reveal that it still has its fair share of haters. Personally, I’m on the fence. I reckon it’s a tad odd right now but I suspect many of us would get used to it in time.
Aside from that, the case, hands, indexes and bezel design are within striking distance to another one of my all-time favs, the SKX007. Yeah, if that wasn’t obvious enough, it’s clear now that Seiko is really drawing the curtains on one of its most decorated divers. For what it’s worth, it was a good run, no one can deny that but the 007 is getting a bit long in the tooth so this move shouldn’t surprise anyone. So, final nail in the coffin, then? Depends on who you ask, really. This is because many outlets have reported that the SXK007 has indeed been discontinued but there’s no official word from Seiko. The fact that you can still find brand new units on sale doesn’t help clear the air either.
In any case, since we’re already talking about the SKX007 and how it relates to the new Seiko 5 Sports collection, let’s see where the upgrades and downgrades differences lie…
“Beginning with the 4R36 movement, of course!”
While certain older Seiko 5 Sports models already employ this calibre, if we’re pitching it against the 007, this is a clear upgrade. The 4R36 has more or less the same power reserve as the 7S26 with figures quoted at 41 hours but it does offer the benefits of hacking and hand-winding this time. The 24-jeweled movement beats at a rate of 3 Hz which is the same as the 23-jeweled 7S26. However, we do lose the Magic Lever winding capabilities of the 7S.
Elsewhere, the new models gain an exhibition caseback as opposed to the 007. Another plus is the addition of drilled lugs so those addicted to strap-swapping are gonna’ have a field day. However, those intending to use the 5 Sports for… well, sports, take note. The new models are NOT equipped with a lumed pip on the bezel and screw-down crown. Also, the water resistance is rated at 100 m. For comparison, the SKX007 has those two exclusions and a 200 m water resistance rating.
However, you do get applied hour markers on the new 5 Sports. With the 007, they were printed. So, while the differences aren’t exactly going to be a deal breaker for all but the most hardcore of owners, it’s clear to see that Seiko has traded a bit of ‘go’ for more ‘show’ in the case of the new models.
“So, is it technically better than the 007, then?”
Again, this all depends on who you are as a potential owner. For me? I’d take hacking, hand-winding and an exhibition caseback any day over an official ISO certification which the 007 has. Yes, clearly I’m more of a poser. While the technical specifications are a tad different, aesthetically, these new 5 Sports are very, very close to the SKX, as mentioned. Case size for all variants measure in at 42.5 mm (the same as the 007) with a lug width of 22 mm (again, the same). Elsewhere, a 120-click unidirectional bezel is also to be found.
As expected, you still get a Hardlex crystal and copious amounts of LumiBrite on the hands and indexes (but not even on a small pip, Seiko?!). Yes, I’m still a bit salty on that omission. What I’m not salty about, however, are the inclusion of so many different flavours! Now, the new collection is divided into, yeah, you guessed it, five subdivisions. The entire collection consists of the Sports Style, the Suits Style, the Specialist Style, the Street Style and finally, the Sense Style division.
All in all, a total of 27 variants are available globally. However, Thong Sia has decided to bring in only a total of 16 variants. So, without further ado, here are the models that go on sale in Malaysia!
Seiko 5 Sports err… Sports Style
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD51K1
- RM1,120
- Stainless steel case
- Stainless steel bracelet with triple-fold clasp and push-button release
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD53K1
- RM1,120
- Stainless steel case
- Stainless steel bracelet with triple-fold clasp and push-button release
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD51K2
- RM1,120
- Stainless steel case
- Nylon NATO strap
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55K1
- RM1,120
- Stainless steel case
- Stainless steel bracelet with triple-fold clasp and push-button release
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD57K1
- RM1,120
- Stainless steel case
- Stainless steel bracelet with triple-fold clasp and push-button release
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD59K1
- RM1,120
- Stainless steel case
- Stainless steel bracelet with triple-fold clasp and push-button release
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD61K1
- RM1,120
- Stainless steel case
- Stainless steel bracelet with triple-fold clasp and push-button release
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD63K1
- RM1,155
- Stainless steel case
- Stainless steel bracelet with triple-fold clasp and push-button release
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD65K1
- RM1,390
- Stainless steel case with black “hard coating”
- Black stainless steel bracelet with triple-fold clasp and push-button release
Seiko 5 Suits Style
Seiko 5 Suits SRPD65K2
- RM1,275
- Stainless steel case with “hard coating”
- Black silicone strap
Seiko 5 Suits SRPD69K1
- RM1,390
- Stainless steel case
- Stainless steel mesh bracelet
Seiko 5 Suits SRPD71K2
- RM1,120
- Stainless steel case
- Black silicone strap
Seiko 5 Suits SRPD73K1
- RM1,390
- Stainless steel case
- Stainless steel mesh bracelet
Seiko 5 Specialist Style
Seiko 5 Specialist SRPD76K1
- RM1,390
- Stainless steel case with rose gold PVD coating
- Silicone-leather combination strap
Seiko 5 Sense Style
Seiko 5 Sense SRPD77K1
- RM1,275
- Stainless steel case with “hard coating”
- Dark green nylon NATO strap
Seiko 5 Sense SRPD85K1
- RM1,275
- Stainless steel case with “hard coating”
- Dark brown nylon NATO strap
Seiko 5 Street Style
Yeah… No. According to Thong Sia, the entire Street Style lineup won’t go on sale in Malaysia for reasons unknown to mankind. However, they were on display at the launch event so I’m gonna’ assume they might introduce it quietly in the future? This is just me, though. Who knows…
For more on the Street Style line, you can always swing by the official Seiko portal here.
“So… Buy?”
If I didn’t have a sports watch in the stable and I wanted one? It’s a strong candidate, yes. With that said, do remember that it isn’t a bona fide beater in the same vein as the Seiko SKX007. For a good 90% of us who don’t dive regularly but want the aesthetics of a dive watch, the new Seiko 5 Sports collection is a rather strong place to start looking. Doesn’t hurt that there are so many variants to choose from in the first place.
If I had a tad more confidence, I’m all for the SRPD77K1. In reality though, if it were my money, I’ll have the SRPD53K1 ‘Pepsi’, please…
