Measuring to 36mm in diameter, the new Seiko 5 Sports Midfield watch collection answers our prayers for a more compact field watch for the 5 Sports line. References SRPJ81K1, SRPJ83K1 and SRPJ85K1 elect the same fixed bezel, matte dials and military-inspired aesthetics as the previous 5 Sports Field watches but with a smaller case for smaller wrists.
Back in 2021, Japanese watchmaker Seiko adapted their popular 5 Sports model into a “field” watch, a design inspired by models once issued for military forces. The line was suitably named the Seiko 5 Sports Field collection as it swapped out the divers bezel with a smooth, fixed one and the colourful, sports-like dials with a matte, neutral-coloured displays paired with large Arabic numerals and 24 hour scales. At 39.4mm, they were a little large for some wrists and for us at least, we think a field watch should be compact as standard. Well, it seems Seiko heard our call and have launched the new Seiko 5 Sports Midfield watch collection with three references coming in 3mm smaller.
The dimensions of the new Seiko 5 Sports Midfield watches feel pretty spot on if you ask us, there’s the new diameter of 36.4mm with a height of 12.5mm and a 44.4mm lug width. The overall styling of the case is much the same as before, engineered from 316L stainless steel with matte, bead-blasted finishing, an unprotected flat knurled crown at 3 o’clock and curved Hardlex crystal glass up top. The case back is screwed down and features its own insert of Hardlex crystal so you can admire the automatic winding movement working inside. Each Seiko 5 Sports Midfield watch also promises a water resistant rating of 100 metres.
There’s nothing crazily new for the displays of the new Seiko 5 Sports Midfield watches. They remain typical field watch dials with matte finishes which up close reveal a subtle texture, large applied Arabic numerals for the traditional 1-12 scale and a second set of numerals underneath for a 24 hour scale. The numerals and markers join the central hour and minute hands by glowing in the dark, applied with Seiko’s luminous material Lumibrite. The hands are sword-shaped and circle the dial alongside a slender seconds hand with its own red luminous arrow-shaped tip. The dials also present a day and date window at 3 o’clock.
Each of the three Seiko 5 Sports Midfield watches are given their own nickname to differentiate between them. The first is the Seiko 5 Sports Midfield ‘In The Metal’ watch under reference SRPJ81K1 which elects a classic black display, greyed out hands and numerals and a three-row link stainless steel bracelet. Next is the Seiko 5 Sports Midfield ‘Desert Kit’ watch under reference SRPJ83K1 which as its nickname suggests offers a desert-inspired sand-coloured dial with black hardware and a sand-coloured textile strap. Finally, the Seiko 5 Sports Midfield ‘Green Zone’ watch under reference SRPJ85K1 offers another matte black dial but one with a beige coloured numerals and hands. It secures to the wrist by a dark green textile strap.
Inside the Seiko 5 Midfield watches is the same movement that powers the entire Seiko 5 Sports line. The Calibre 4R36 is one of Seiko’s entry-level movements which in turn helps keep the price of these watches impressively low. While entry-level, it is still a Seiko movement after all so specs are decent with a 41 hour power reserve, frequency of 21,600vph and an accuracy rating of +45 / -35 seconds per day.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Seiko 5 Sports Midfield watch collection and shop the three new designs for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 36.4mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Hardlex crystal
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Calibre 4R36 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date
- Power Reserve: 41 hours
- Jewels: 24
- Frequency: 21,600vph
- Dial: Grained matte in black or sand, Lumibrite hands and numerals
- Strap: Steel bracelet or textile
- RRP: £260
- Reference: SRPJ81K1, SRPJ83K1, SRPJ85K1
