Seiko reinterprets the legendary Seiko 5 Sports model introduced in 1968 with a limited edition version.
Seiko, Japan's gift to the world of watchmaking, is crowning the 55th anniversary of the legendary model Seiko 5 Sports, which rewrote the sports watch concept, with a revival model.
Seiko 5 Sports was introduced in 1968, and with its contemporary design and fiercely competitive price, it upset the balance in the sports watch segment. The collection's origins date back to 1963 with Seiko and the Sportsmatic 5, Japan's first automatic day-date display, which adopted five key features that would characterize the Seiko 5 collection. Inheriting these five features, which can be summarized as an automatic movement, a single day-date display at 3 o'clock, water resistance, a recessed crown at 4 o'clock, a solid steel case, and a bracelet or strap, the 1968 Seiko 5 Sports also included innovative solutions such as the new mainspring and shockproof system used in Sportsmatic and the Magic Lever (1959) to was designed to increase winding efficiency and increase power reserve time.
The new model, designed to crown the 55th anniversary of the cult model family, also includes solutions containing advanced technology suitable for today's requirements, while remaining true to the visual details of the concept.
The new model comes in a stainless steel case with a diameter of 39mm and a thickness of 12.15mm. The case, which promises a comfortable experience on the wrist with its 43.1mm lug-to-lug distance, consists of glossy and matte surfaces. The sporty case draws attention with its barrel form, just like the model introduced in 1968. The case, which houses scratch-resistant Hardlex crystal and a rotatable bezel, is resistant to 100 meters of water pressure.
Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Limited Edition (SRPK17)'s loyalty to the original model continues on the dial. The black dial, framed by a notched rotating bezel with silver markings and a luminous pearl at 12, feature a silver peripheral scale and baton-form components filled with Lumibrite. The day and date window uses a frame very similar to the original, while the lollipop central seconds hand stands out with its red finish. The only feature that differs from the original version is the words 10 BAR on the lower half of the dial and the SPORTS word in blue.
Caliber 4R36, one of Seiko's new-generation entry-level automatics, gives life to the new model. The movement, which oscillates at a frequency of 3Hz (21,600vph), offers 41 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
The Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Limited Edition (SRPK17) comes on a metal bracelet, similar in appearance to the one used on the original model, but more modern and solid. The new model is limited to 15,555 units.
