Seiko 5 Sports history
Seiko has always created collections of watches with a specific goal in mind, clearly defining the requirements of its buyers and meeting them as best as possible. Often the name of the watch gives a hint to the idea behind the line. In 1963, the Seiko 5 line was introduced. The watches were aimed at the young audience who wanted a stylish, quality watch. The Seiko 5 was an immediate success.
Each Seiko 5 had five features: an automatic movement, a day/date window, significant water resistance for sporting activities, a crown at four o'clock, and a durable case and bracelet (or strap). Many of these features seem almost self-evident today (except perhaps the crown at four o'clock), but that's because watches like the Seiko 5 have helped make these features the benchmark worldwide.
Seiko managed to produce a watch that met all the above criteria, at a price that was acceptable to younger people. The Seiko 5 watches were designed with accessibility in mind; marketing and communications appealed directly to the audience that needed a watch like the Seiko 5: the youth of the 1960s.
The new Seiko 5 Sport collection
A quick jump forward in time: 2019 saw the return of the legendary Seiko 5 Sports line, positioned in much the same way as when it was first introduced.
The focus of the Seiko 5 collection used to be mainly in emerging Asian markets, but this changed in 2019 with the rebranding and the launch of 27 new models. And that is good news for the European market, because the Seiko 5 models are ideally based on Seiko's core values: high quality and manufactured in such a way that they are affordable for a wider audience.
Take for example the new SRPD55K1, the most traditional design of the bunch. If it looks familiar to the Seiko enthusiast, that's because it has a similar design to the critically acclaimed SKX007.
The “automatic” text appears to be borrowed from another fan favorite, the pre-Prospex era Seiko “Sumo”. You get all the features of the best Seiko dive watches at a price significantly lower than the models that inspired the Seiko 5 line.
There are also disadvantages, because with only 100 meters of water resistance, it is not a professional diving watch. But that's what the Prospex collection is for. The new Seiko 5 line has a respectable 100 meters of water resistance. Enough for a nice swim, but not for deep-sea diving. But we dare to say with certainty that 100 meters is sufficient to cope with the water activities that the majority of new Seiko 5 customers will practice.
Five series within the Sport 5 line
The new Seiko 5 line-up is divided into five categories and each category puts its own spin on the original Singular Seiko 5 model: sports, suits, specialist, street and sense.
The Sports line will be very familiar to fans of the brand. Each model can be traced back to a different popular watch from Seiko's history, which is a really fun game to play. The SRPD57K1, for example, features the same gold-plated and black motif that recently came back into fashion with the SRP775 and even that is a reference to the 6215, Seiko's 300 meter diver from 1968. For the enthusiast it is great fun to learn the history of to connect the different Seikos with each other.
The Street Style collection contains black models whose image may suggest that they are less clear. But once on the wrist this turns out not to be so bad. The watches are supplied on a black NATO strap, which gives a cool look; clearly a sign that Seiko has paid attention to the type of strap that many Seiko customers normally trade in.
At first glance, the Sense collection seems atypical for Seiko. But it does have the guiding principle of the Seiko 5 history: it is clearly designed for a youthful audience. There is a rock-like texture present on the dial, which gives the watch a unique look.
Seiko Sport for every budget
Releasing 27 new Seiko Sport models at once has been an important move for Seiko. Around 2019, Seiko had gradually worked its way up to an increasingly higher market segment worldwide, with increasingly expensive models and new technologies. In addition, the highest segment was also served with the introduction of Grand Seiko in the Netherlands. As a result, the rest of the Seiko collection followed this price increase. But with the introduction of the new Seiko Sport 5 collection, affordable Seiko models immediately became available to a young audience. As a jeweler, we are very happy with this, because we can provide every Seiko customer with a beautiful watch. At any price.
Seiko Sport 5 watches at the Juwelier van Zeeland
Are you looking for a specific Seiko Sport 5 model and don't see it in our webshop? No problem, because Van der Kooij Edelsmeden is the official dealer of Seiko and can supply almost all models to you without any problems. Please contact us for this. We can then order the model for you free of charge, so that you can try it on in our jewelry store in Vlissingen.
Warranty and Service for Seiko Sport 5 watches
When you decide to buy a Seiko Sport 5 watch from Van der Kooij Edelsmeden, you are automatically assured of lifelong service and expert advice.
Seiko's two-year manufacturer's warranty entitles you to free repairs for any problems with the movement, case or metal strap. We take care of the handling with Seiko, so you don't have to worry about anything.