![]() ![]() ![]() What’s worse, the resemblance is probably unintentional. Some have already pointed out that the Seiko 5 Sports bears a striking resemblance to the Tudor Black Bay 36 and 41, watches that, in turn, are some funky fusion of a Submariner and Explorer designed to have the most appeal to the most people. Like someone fed data to an algorithm (or, just a large corporation), and out popped this watch, perfectly designed to be inoffensive and have broad appeal. Here’s where the earlier criticisms of the watch industry come in: When viewed like this, the Seiko 5 starts to seem like an amalgamation of Seiko’s greatest hits. If you’re a newcomer to watches, wondering if this Seiko 5 should be your first mechanical or “real” watch, let me answer with fervor: Yes. It’s how so many discover watches and mutate to full-on watch-idiot-savant status. But, these complaints largely miss the point: This is a watch for the masses, with features newcomers need and details enthusiasts will love.įor the watch industry, the most important watch in the entire game is the Seiko 5. Sure, there are some details to quibble with: The oyster-style bracelet, with just two micro-adjustments, seems like an afterthought. Especially important: It pops on Instagram, with the look of a watch multiple times its $275 price tag. The easiest way to find a model of the new Seiko 5 Sports SRPE line is to check Amazon : the most popular are the SRPE53 (blue dial on bracelet) SRPE55 (black dial on bracelet) and SRPE51 (grey dial on bracelet) Think differentĪt first glance, the new Seiko 5 Sports is perfect: the dimensions are right in a goldilocks range the dial is austere but exquisitely executed the smooth bezel is attractive without being garish. But the new line also comes with grey, blue, and green dial variants there’s also a NATO option instead of the bracelet. Here, I’ll be featuring the Seiko SRPE55, the black dial version of the new Seiko 5 Sports with bracelet. The prominent polished bezel steps down to lightly brushed lugs flowing from the bottom right lug is a highly polished bottom crown guard, adding a certain elegance to a feature that’s otherwise pure tool watch. The stainless steel case is solidly built, with a mixture of brushed and polished surfaces that add interest and depth. Movement: Seiko 4R36 automatic | 24 jewels, 40-hour power reserve Let’s just get the specs out of the way, since they’re pretty much perfect:ĭimensions: 40mm diameter x 20mm lug width x 11.5mm thickness (44mm lug-to-lug) Naturally, I was thrilled when Seiko announced the newest additions to the Seiko 5 Sports line, sans rotating bezel. As a guy with a professed love affair with both the Tudor Black Bay 36 and Rolex Explorer reference 14270, I’d be the first to welcome a true entry-level Seiko sports watch. I surmised that Seiko would continue to move its new Seiko 5 Sports line more towards sports watch and away from traditional dive watch (it’s in the very name, after all!) - more Rolex Explorer and less Submariner. Meanwhile, SKX devotees were enraged that Seiko had taken their dive watches away, swapping them out for some poor excuse with a display case back, no screw-down crown, and a mere 100 meters of water resistance.įor us at home playing armchair corporate strategist, it all seemed to make sense: take away the budget SKX and force us to pony up for something from the more expensive Prospex line if we wanted a true diver. Last year when Seiko released its new Seiko 5 Sports line, I practically begged it to release a smaller version with no diving bezel. Nowadays, much of the complaining in the watch industry points to Instagram feeds that feature the same few watches that all look vaguely like a lug nut, consumers who pay ridiculous markups for those lug nuts, and stodgy brands content making lug nuts. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |