To mark the Seiko 5 Sports collection turning 55 years old, the Japanese watchmaker has launched four new editions of the robust sports watch with wonderful retro-inspired dials and a decade-accurate cushion-shaped case. The series includes a single Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Limited Edition (SRPK17K1) which recreates the original 5 Sports watch from 1968 and a trio of non-limited designs (SRPK09K1, SRPK11K1, SRPK13K1) inspired by a 1969 collection.
Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Limited Edition (SRPK17K1)
One look at the new Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary SRPK17K1 watch, and you’ll quickly notice it’s not like the modern-day Seiko 5 Sports watches we’ve come to expect. That’s because for this 15,555-piece limited edition, the brand has brought make the same case shape, bracelet and bezel as the original 5 Sports watch from 1968. We have to applaud Seiko here, because when comparing this new reference to its 1960’s predecessor, we are unable to see much, if any difference. It presents the same robust, brushed-finished cushion-shaped case with a spot-on 39.5mm diameter and a thickness of 12.5mm. There’s also the unusual half-moon scalloped detailing on the case at 12 and 6 o’clock as well as a tucked in screw in crown at the 4 o’clock position.
The bracelet of the Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary SRPK17K1 Limited Edition, while upgraded with a more solid stainless steel construction, also maintains the aesthetics of its predecessor with a resolutely vintage horizontal link architecture. The notched rotating bezel up top also remains faithful, crafted from black aluminium with a white printed 60 minute scale and a luminous pearl pip at noon. The bezel sits beside curved Hardlex crystal glass which protects the authentic retro black dial. Once again, the display maintains all the same design details as the 1968 model including a silver peripheral track, bar-shaped indexes and baton hands coated in Lumibrite. They’ve even included the original Seiko 5 logo at 12 o’clock and fashioned the day and date window in the same style. The seconds hand stands out the most in red with a lollipop, Lumibrite tip alongside lettering for “Sports” in blue above 6 o’clock. The only noticeable difference between the dial of the new Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary SRPK17K1 watch and its forerunner is the marking for the water resistant rating which is now upgraded to 100 metres compared to 70.
We already know the Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary SRPK17K1 Limited Edition is going to be a huge success, not only for being a spot-on recreation for but for its retail price of only £350. Helping keep this price low is Seiko’s entry-level Calibre 4R36 automatic winding movement. Entry-level as it may be, it still warrants an impressive 41-hour power reserve, frequency of 21,600vph and a total of 24 jewels. The movement is kept hidden from view behind a screwed down case back which notes its limited edition status out of 15,555 pieces. To mark its commemorative launch, the watch is delivered in a special box suitably adorned in colours and stylings worthy of the 1960’s.
The Seiko 5 Sports Retro Colour Collection (SRPK09K1, SRPK11K1, SRPK13K1)
Launched alongside the limited edition above, Seiko is also celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Seiko 5 Sports watch with a trio of non-limited edition models with bold, retro-styled dials and the classic SKX case. The latter includes a 42.5mm diameter, thickness of 13.4mm and contemporary angled lugs and sharp case sides with brushed and polished finishing. The cases have the same crown with crown guards at 4 o’clock, three-row link stainless steel bracelets and a 100 metre water resistance.
The three Seiko 5 Sports Retro Colour watches stand out for their different dial colours, bezels and flanges. The first is the Seiko 5 Sports Retro Colour Collection ‘New Rally Diver’ SRPK09K1 watch which elects a crisp silver dial, a matching grey flange and an unusual checkboard-style unidirectional rotating bezel in silver and black. In contrast, the Seiko 5 Sports Retro Colour ‘New Double Hurricane’ SRPK11K1 watch keeps its bezel simple in black with a white printed 60 minute scale to give the bright, orange-coloured dial all the attention. The flange on this model has a similar checkerboard pattern to the silver-dialled model’s bezel, swapping between segments of orange and black.
Finally, the Seiko 5 Sports Retro Colour ‘New Regatta Timer’ SRPK13K1 watch nominates a black dial with a black bezel with red and silver markings and a colourful sloped flange in blue and green. All three have the same baton indexes and hour and minute hands set with Lumibrite, a bright orange seconds hand and a blacked-out day and date window at 3 o’clock. Powering the time, day and date functionality of the Seiko 5 Sports Retro Colour watches is the Calibre 4R36 automatic winding movement with the same 41 hour power reserve, 3Hz frequency and 25 jewels as the limited edition model above. This time, the movement is displayed through an exhibition case back.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Retro Colour watch collection and shop the 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.
