2023 marks the 55th anniversary of the beloved Seiko 5 Sports series, and the company is celebrating with four new watches that pay tribute to the early days of the collection. One is a limited-edition faithful re-issue of the original Seiko 5 Sports from 1968, while the other three SKX Sports Style watches channel the designs and colorways of models that joined the lineup in 1969.
As you can see from the below pictures comparing then and now, the Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Limited Edition SRPK17 takes us back to the origins with a re-creation of the maiden Seiko 5 Sports watch from 1968. The commemorative version features a 39.5mm tonneau-shaped steel case (12.5mm-thick), complete with semi-circular scalloped edges at the top and bottom. Like the first, this new re-issue includes a black rotating bezel with a 60-minute scale and luminous pearl. The case is water resistant to 100 meters, and tucked into it is the familiar recessed crown at 4 o’clock.
Look closer at the dial of the SRPK17, and you’ll see that the original Seiko 5 Sports logo has been revived at the 12 o’clock position especially for the 55th anniversary, while the word “SPORTS” is inscribed in blue at 6 o’clock. There’s the customary framed day and date display at 3 o’clock, and the black dial is framed by a silver minutes track and punctuated with a red lollipop seconds hand.
A new bracelet was made for the Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Limited Edition SRPK17, featuring the same vintage design as the original yet built more solidly to meet today’s expectations. The bracelet includes a three-fold clasp with a push button release. Seiko didn’t just recreate the watch from 55 years ago, but also the red box with the original logo that accompanies it.
The other watches that are part of the 55th birthday celebrations are a trio of SKX Sports Style watches, inspired by three colorways and bezel designs from the 1969 Seiko 5 Sports collection but combined with the famed SKX case. There’s the SRPK09 with a silver dial and black and white bezel, the SRPK11 with an orange dial and black bezel, and the SRPK13 in black with silver, red, blue, and green details. All three watches include 42.5mm steel cases (13.4mm-thick), unidirectional rotating bezels, the signature crown at 4 o’clock shielded by prominent crown guards, and three-link steel bracelets. The bracelets are furnished with three-fold clasps with secure locks and push-button releases.
All four of these 55-anniversary Seiko 5 Sports watches run on the Caliber 4R36 automatic movement with 41 hours of power reserve and a frequency of 21,600 beats per hour. The SRPK17 has a screw-down closed caseback, while the three others offer a view of the movement via their display casebacks. Furthermore, all the watches feature curved Hardlex crystals and Lumibrite luminescence.
Limited to 15,555 pieces, the Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Limited Edition SRPK17 is priced at €410 Euros and will be available at select Seiko boutiques and retailers in July 2023. The SRPK09, SRPK11, and SRPK13 will retail for €350 Euros and will be available in September 2023. For more information on the Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Limited Edition and the SKX Sports Style watches, please visit the brand’s website.
