Rebirth of cool: The New Seiko 5 Sports line

Seiko 5 line was first time introduced in 1963, aiming active, young people. As with each Seiko line, this one also has a story. The whole line promises five features:

1. serious water resistance
2. a durable case and strap on the outside
3. automatic movement inside
4. crown at 4 o'clock
5. day/date display on its dial

Since the whole line was aimed to young people, Seiko 5 Sports collection managed to have it all for a price accessible to its target group. The first Seiko 5 Sports watch was called Sportmatic. This was the first Seiko's automatic watch that had day/date window.

2019 edition of Seiko 5 Sports line

The same story continues in the present days, with whole new Seiko 5 Sport collection. At the very first sight, new Seiko 5 lug width is 22mm, follow the strength of its original case, with diameter of 42.5 mm and height of 12.44 mm. These pieces seemingly look like tool watches because of their case size, but are rather made to be practical in day to day use. There's nothing extreme in this line as with some other series, such as Prospex or Astron, except that some of these models are extremely stylish. Yet, each of them has Seiko's craftsmanship packed in their case, so you won't be short on reliability and performance.The New Seiko 5 line holds five different styles of watches, all starting with a "S":

1. Sense
2. Specialist
3. Sports
4. Street
5. Suits

having 19 unique models and including 27 different watches in its collection. All of the models are water resistant up to 100 m and have caliber 4R36 with 24 jewels beating inside at 3 Hz. That means 41-hour power reserve. The new line is celebrating diversity in terms of fusions of colors, textures and materials used. Some of these remarkably look like some famous models from Seiko's rich history, but then again, as they pay homage to their predecessors, they disrupt the old concepts and adapt to the new individuality that future brings. The best proof is a modern Seiko 5 logo, along with simplified design of the dial.

Sense

When it comes to models in this line, Sense series may have been made for those with tangible sense of style. This category has only two models: SRPD77K1 and SRPD85K1 (both shown below).

As you can see, both have textured dial and nylon watch bands that fit into their color theme. On top of that, the distinctive second hands give them super-stylish touch with their complementary coloring and lollipop shaped counterweights.

Specialist

When it comes to Specialist style, it is represented with three models: SRPD55K2 (with Japanese model marked as: SBSA027), SRPD76K1 (Japanese model marked: SBSA028) and SRPD65K3.

All three watches have black bezels and dials, as well as black/brown Croco straps made of silicone. Case finish is what visibly sets them apart.

Street

Street style includes also three models: SRPD81K1, SRPD83K1 and SRPD79K1 (Japanese model marked: SBSA025). All three models feature black nylon watch bands, black bezel and dial. What separates the black one, SRPD79K1, from the rest two models is that it's incredibly cool by being all super black, while others have red and blue marks, respectively.

Suits

This style covers 6 different models, but includes 9 watches into its collection. Models SRPD75K1 (SBSA019 being Japanese model), SRPD69K1 and SRPD67K1 have only one version in these theme and can be seen below. All three models include mesh watch bands, but have differently colored bezels and dials.

Besides being represented in the Specialist style, model SRPD65K2 has another variant here, with black silicone watch strap, pictured below.

Then there are two models that have two variants in this style: SRPD71K1 and SRPD73K1. Variants with mesh bands are coming with brushed case versions and vintage color touches on their dials (shown below).

Their Japanese models are marked as SBSA017 and SBSA015, respectively. Variants with silicone watch straps also come in blue SRPD71K2 and black SRPD73K2 versions, as pictured below.

Sports

The last (but far from the least!) style owns 8 models (12 watches) in its collection. The first three models that have only one version here, with brushed case and stainless steel watch strap, and those are: SRPD53K1 (SBSA003) with Pepsi bezel and blue dial, SRPD57K1 (SBSA007) with black bezel and dial and SRPD59K1 (SBSA009) with black bezel and orange dial.

Then there are greenish models SRPD61K1 (SBSA011) and SRPD63K1 (SBSA013), also with brushed cases and stainless steel watch bracelets.

Models SRPD51K1 (SBSA001) and SRPD55K1 (SBSA005) come in two versions each. There are versions with brushed case and stainless steel straps, as the models above:

and then we have smooth case versions with nylon SRPD51K2 straps:

which leaves us to the last model in this style, SRPD65 again. Here it stands in two versions, one with stainless steel SRPD65K1 (PVD) and another with nylon SRPD65K4 strap. Both cases are smooth and covered with PVD coating.

All Models

More info

To keep up with standards and yet stay in the affordable price range, the cases and some other parts are made in China, not Japan. Additionally, the crystal isn't made of sapphire, but rather of Hardlex. The Sports 5 line will be sold only through official Seiko distributors in order to gain better control of the market. Hopefully, this will help in control of both quality and prices, that range from $315-380. Just to make things clear - don't expect features of these watches to compete with professional divers like Prospex series. These things are not comparable, as well as their prices because they don't aim the same market. Yet, when it comes to their looks, watches from new Seiko 5 Sports series are surely worth every single dime. As a matter of fact, it is quite hard to pick just one watch from the line. So the main question is: Which ones are yours?

Shop Replacement watch bands for New Seiko 5 Sports SRPB

 Written by M.H. , Photo by Toni & shopping.yahoo.co.jp

References:
Seiko 5 Sports
Introducing The New Seiko 5 Sports Watches
Introducing The 2019 Seiko 5 – New and Revamped
Introducing the New Seiko 5 Sports Collection
Designed anew for the next generation, Seiko 5 Sports is re-born.
2019 Seiko 5 Sports Collection
The Affordable, Mechanical Seiko 5 Watch Is Back