In Japan, no doubt more than anywhere else in the world, tradition is of crucial importance, whether in terms of culture, the art of living or values. Among these is respect for the past. At Seiko, a watchmaker founded in 1881 in Tokyo, this revered “olden days” takes the form of various watch collections. In the sports field, one of its major references is called Seiko 5 Sports.
Seiko 5 Sports Limited Edition 55th Anniversary Watch. 15,555 copies. Stainless steel case. Diameter 39.5mm. Caliber 4R36 automatic movement. Power reserve 41 hours. Curved Hardlex glass. Screwed bottom. Water resistance 100m. Metal bracelet with folding clasp. Available from July. €410. © DR
The Seiko 5 Sports collection was launched in 1968, and its performance in precision, reliability and sturdiness, combined with the remarkable durability of its mechanical movement, helped popularize it across the planet. In 2019 the range was updated, but while the look has evolved, the fundamental spirit has remained unchanged. Seiko has thus achieved the synthesis of the past and the present to win over new enthusiasts who love both watchmaking aesthetics and ease of use.
The design of the case of the Seiko 5 Sports Limited Edition 55th Anniversary watch, the discreet presence of the crown and the care given to the finishes pay a fine tribute to the roots of the collection. © DR
Today is the time for Seiko to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the 5 Sports collection. First of all by recreating in limited edition the original watch which is still highly sought after on the vintage market. Powered by the automatic caliber 4R36, this elegant commemorative piece features a 39.5 mm diameter steel case, dial and graduated bezel perfectly faithful to the 1968 Seiko 5 Sports. Design, graphics, display, the smallest element is consistent. Even the historic Seiko 5 Sports logo is carried over identically. In a nod to modernity and current requirements in terms of readability, hands and indexes benefit from a LumiBrite coating ensuring perfect visibility in the dark. For its part, the new very chic steel bracelet obviously evoking the one that accompanied the Seiko 5 Sports of the 1960s offers good comfort on the wrist.
Seiko SKX Sports Style watches. Stainless steel case. Diameter 42.5mm. Caliber 4R36 automatic movement. Power reserve 41 hours. Unidirectional rotating bezel. Curved Hardlex glass, transparent back. Crown guard at 4 o’clock. Water resistance 100m. Metal bracelet with folding clasp. Available from September. €350. © DR
To celebrate this anniversary with brilliance, the Japanese house also decided to launch three other SKX Sports Style watches, following on from the Seiko 5 Sports models that appeared in 1969. Already that year, the collection was enriched variations offering more variety in terms of appearance and colours. “The new special edition watches feature the colors of three particularly popular historic watches on their dials, silver, black and orange,” the brand explains. To go into more detail, these very affordable pieces have a bezel insert that reproduces the design of the 1969 collection associated with the famous SKX case whose emblematic shape is characterized by a crown guard positioned at 4 o’clock. The presence of a 4R36 automatic movement and a three-link steel bracelet complete the description of these three SKX Sports Style watches that pay homage to the past to better appreciate the present. A beautiful Japanese tradition…
