A cushion case on a sixties-era dive watch with a friction-fit bezel. No, it's not a Vostok, it's the Seiko SRPK17 1968 reissue review.

Seiko's SRPK17 may have been the easiest purchase decision I've made in a very long time.

The Seiko SRPK17 is a limited edition watch that was released in 2023 to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Seiko 5 Sports line. It's a recreation of the 61-5D, the original Seiko 5 Sports watch from 1968, with a few minor updates to make it more modern and comfortable.

The Seiko SRPK17 is a slightly larger and more modern diver's watch than the Seiko 61-5D. It has a 39.5mm case diameter, a 47.7mm lug-to-lug distance, and a Hardlex crystal. It is water resistant to 100 meters and has a day/date window at the 3 o'clock position. The SRPK17 is powered by Seiko's 4R36 automatic movement, which has a 41-hour power reserve.

The Seiko 61-5D had a 38mm case diameter, a 46mm lug-to-lug distance, and an acrylic crystal. It was water resistant to 70 meters and only had a date window at the 3 o'clock position. The 61-5D was powered by Seiko's 6119 automatic movement, which had a 45-hour power reserve.

The first thing you notice about the SRPK17 is its retro design. The dial is simple and clean, with a matte black finish. The dial also features a blue "Sports" logo and a black day/date window. The minute track is painted on, bold, and easily legible. The hour markers are white and rectangular and very well lumed. The faceted hour and minute hands, and red lollipop central seconds hand are very clear and wonderfully lumed. The overall look is very classic and timeless.

The case is polished on the sides and brushed on the top and bottom which is worth noting due to its size.

The SRPK17 has a 39.5mm case diameter and a 47.7mm lug-to-lug distance. It is 12.5mm thick which is a bit smaller than many modern diver's watches. However, this makes it very comfortable on my 7.5-inch wrist.

The SRPK17 comes on a stainless steel bracelet. The bracelet is well-made and comfortable to wear but a bit of a pain to size. I prefer to wear it on a brown leather rally strap or a black tropic strap.

Overall, the Seiko SRPK17 55th Anniversary Limited Edition is a fantastic watch. It is well-made, reliable, and stylish with a retro flair. It is also a great value for the price. If you are looking for a retro-inspired diver's watch, the SRPK17 is definitely worth considering.