Whether or not you totally realized it on the time, you’ve virtually definitely seen a Seiko 5 Sports activities watch. This vary of timepieces has been round for many years and isn’t solely intensive, overlaying the whole lot from dive watches to decorate watches, it has additionally develop into a mannequin for the watch world relating to delivering worth.
Briefly, it’s lengthy overdue WIRED bought correctly acquainted with the 5 Sports activities lineup, so that you don’t miss out on what is without doubt one of the most diverse, well-respected, and, crucially, usually most moderately priced watch collections.
You should definitely take a look at our different watch shopping for guides, together with the Finest Low cost Watches Beneath $1,000 and the Finest Smartwatches.
What Is the Seiko 5 Sports activities, and Why Is It So Good?
Seiko has been making wristwatches for greater than 100 years, however the trendy Seiko 5 Sports activities vary traces its roots to 1963 and the discharge of the Seiko Sportsmatic 5, which was then refined and improved till the primary watch to put on the Seiko 5 Sports activities title was launched in 1968.
The 5 within the title comes straight from the 1968 mannequin’s 5 core design and manufacturing rules: an computerized motion, a day/date window, spectacular water-resistance ranges, a recessed crown at 4 o’clock, and stable sturdiness (from the case, bracelet, and Seiko’s proprietary Hardlex glass). All these nonetheless apply to nearly all of 5 Sports activities fashions as we speak.
Watch followers love historical past, and Seiko the model and its 5 Sports activities line have it in spades, however the vary additionally attracts individuals due to its worth. The most costly present Seiko 5 Sports activities fashions price $500, however the majority price round $350, making them surprisingly reasonably priced contemplating the model title and its heritage, together with the standard and options provided.
Understanding the Seiko 5 Sports activities Vary
There have been a whole bunch of 5 Sports activities fashions through the years (followers even make wall posters you possibly can print and hold), and Seiko has marketed them in numerous methods, making it arduous to maintain monitor. In 2019, nonetheless, Seiko gave the huge, somewhat difficult Seiko 5 Sports activities vary a makeover, (considerably) simplifying it by grouping fashions into three ranges: the SKX sequence, the SNXS sequence, and the Subject sequence.
Now, don’t assume this rebranding will assist you rapidly discover and select your supreme Seiko 5 Sports activities watch, as a result of there are nonetheless dozens of fashions in every phase—and that’s earlier than heading outdoors Seiko’s personal retailer, the place you’ll discover a host of new-old inventory fashions, discontinued fashions, and even restricted editions on the market.
Sure, the world of Seiko 5 watches will make your head spin, so the place do you begin? We’re right here to assist. We’ve bought 10 watches for you, 5 of which you’ll simply discover via Seiko’s on-line retailer or different retailers, together with Amazon, plus 5 extra which can want a bit extra work to search out however are actually value it.
The Finest Seiko 5 Sports activities Watches to Purchase
A part of the SKX sequence, the SRPD55 is a contemporary icon. Why? The explanation comes from the place the sequence will get its title. Seiko’s SKX007 (and the extra colourful SKX009) was an ISO-certified dive watch that gained a legion of followers because of its no-nonsense design, sturdiness, reliability, and affordable worth. It shared lots of the Seiko 5’s core rules, however didn’t put on the Seiko 5 title.
It was discontinued simply earlier than the Seiko 5 Sports activities rebrand in 2019, however has lived on (in spirit, not less than) within the SRPD55, simply with out the hardcore ISO-certified 200-meter water resistance, making do with 100 meters as an alternative. We love the no-nonsense black-dial mannequin with its basic dive fashion, 42.5mm case, Hardlex mineral crystal, and selection of a metallic bracelet or nylon strap.
Flip the watch over and there’s an exhibition case again exhibiting the Seiko 4R36 computerized motion, which is thought for its reliability, and returns an influence reserve of round 40 hours. You’ll discover it inside most watches on this listing.
The SRPD55 is as near a present SKX007 as you will get, and, contemplating the standard, reliability, and understated fashion, it’s a unbelievable purchase for round $350. An amazing on a regular basis watch, and maybe the perfect first computerized, too.
Courtesy of Seiko
The SSK005 sits near the highest of the SKX line, and though the value is on the excessive finish of what you’ll ever pay for a 5 Sports activities, you’re getting quite a bit for it. The SSK005 is a GMT watch, that means it has a 24-hour hand to inform the time in a second time zone, however that’s not the one purpose it’s on this listing.
It’s necessary to notice the mannequin quantity right here, as a result of it pertains to the Seiko 5 GMT with an incredible orange dial and black bezel, giving the date-only dial a sporty, eye-catching fashion all of its personal.
