Seiko SRPE67 Review (The Watch That Made Me "Rethink" My Watch Collecting Philosophy)
Back in November of 2022, I bought the Seiko SRPE55 as more of a cheaper, more subdued field style watch to take out on hikes in the woods instead of my SLA057. I instantly fell in love with how the size and case fit on my wrist and the overall styling. I soon learned that the SRPE67 existed, which is the EXACT same watch, but with a brushed bezel instead of the polished one. Upon learning this, I immediately sold the 55 and picked up the 67 as it was even more subdued and "toolish."
Since then, I've fallen in love with this little DressKX. The smaller 40mm size of the case wears SO well on my 6.5 inch wrist. In fact, I would say that it wears smaller than an "all dial" 40mm watch would suggest. By comparison, the Hamilton KFM is 38mm, but wears like a dinner plate on my wrist with long, jutting lugs. The DressKX is the opposite of that.
This has given me exactly what I was wanting. I love the dial design of the SKX, 5KX, etc. The SRPE67 really reminds me of something like a Tudor BB36, which I've tried on before and very much like. I have to say though, I much prefer the look and design of the Seiko case. It's one area Seiko seems to always excel. It's affordable enough to take out into the woods on a nato and not worry about banging around, and furthermore, I think it looks good in that environment whereas something like the SLA057 looks so shiny and blingy, it looks out of place.
I've enjoyed wearing this so much that I even took it on a two week trip to Puerto Rico and ended up wearing it as much as my SLA057. Ironically enough, it even came snorkeling with me more than the SLA did. Because it has 100m of WR, it was the perfect little companion for jungle and beach hikes and even for those times where I'm doing things like jumping off a pier and swimming with sea turtles!
The 4R36 movement has been a pretty consistent +20/+25 spd, which is within the stated spec. Is it the most accurate? Nah. But that honestly doesn't bother me, especially for how much I love the design, how comfortable it is on the wrist and how affordable it is. I picked mine up for $170 which I think is amazing value for just how much enjoyment I get out of it.
As a matter of fact, this little Seiko 5 started a complete shift in the way I enjoy watches. The more "simple" and "subdued" styling has started to appeal to me more and more. The SRPE67 is kind of the embodyment of what I'm wanting in a watch. A rugged, tool watch with a design I like and a case that wears like a dream on my wrist. Oh, and looks great on a variety of natos.
All of this for such (relatively) little money! As much as I loved my SLA057, I decided that it was a little TOO nice. Very shiny, very blingy. While gorgeous, I'm starting to value more simple, subdued designs and that can be had for a fraction of the money I had in something like the SLA057. I decided to sell it and take a tiny portion of the proceeds and spend on a couple of Seiko divers that gave me the same feel the SRPE67 does (reviews on those to come).
All that to say, the SRPE67 has very much disrupted my "watch life" as it were (in a very good way). For the prices these little DressKX's can be had, they are worth every single cent (and then some). There's really not much to complain about with this watch. Taking into account the price and how much I like the design and how it wears on my wrist, I don't really have any complaints. The movement would be the only thing I could nitpick. I'm used to wearing watches that are anywhere from 2-10 seconds off per day. This one is a solid 20 or more. But, when it comes down to it, that doesn't bother me, especially for the price.
Seiko SRPE67 Review (The Watch That Made Me "Rethink" My Watch Collecting Philosophy)
Yes
No
- Dial design
- Case size/design
- 100m WR
- Wearability
- Versatile (Strap Monster)
- Good Lume
- PRICE!
- Movement is not the most accurate
- Some may not like the Push/Pull crown
- Not a big fan of the blue/red text on the saturday and sunday date wheel
Current collection: Seiko SARB033, Seiko SBSA057, Seiko SZSB011
I also like me SRPE because it is not trying to be more than it is, and (depending on the specific model) is very affordable at the same time. On a side note, and to use the language of those who audit me, your "risk appetite" is higher than mine, I would never take anything without a screw down crown swimming.
I need one
I need one
Yes you do.
I also like me SRPE because it is not trying to be more than it is, and (depending on the specific model) is very affordable at the same time. On a side note, and to use the language of those who audit me, your "risk appetite" is higher than mine, I would never take anything without a screw down crown swimming.
I think watch nerds like ourselves get too wrapped around the axel about things like WR. A watch rated to 100m (even if it has a push/pull crown) is perfectly suited for swimming, snorkeling, etc. Even snorkeling, I think the deepest I went was probably 7 or 8 feet (at which point my ears feel like they're going to explode). If anything, the Seiko 5 was shouting at me to "go deeper." 😂 My body tapped out long before the Seiko would ever tap out.
I think watch nerds like ourselves get too wrapped around the axel about things like WR. A watch rated to 100m (even if it has a push/pull crown) is perfectly suited for swimming, snorkeling, etc. Even snorkeling, I think the deepest I went was probably 7 or 8 feet (at which point my ears feel like they're going to explode). If anything, the Seiko 5 was shouting at me to "go deeper." 😂 My body tapped out long before the Seiko would ever tap out.
Well, with me the reason is that I lost a watch rated to 50m due to a swim in a hotel pool. (And no, it was not a Seiko.)
Well, with me the reason is that I lost a watch rated to 50m due to a swim in a hotel pool. (And no, it was not a Seiko.)
Get a 100m watch. That's double the WR. 😀😜
I had the SRPE55. I loved that watch, still do. But I gave it to a buddy of mine because that watch didn't have a role in my collection. I typically wore other watches into the office and on weekends I found myself either wearing my G Shocks or my solar divers and it just wasn't getting enough wrist time. But I can't argue with anything you put here. It looked great on any kind of strap, wore smaller than the 40mm case size would suggest and was super fun to wear. I don't regret passing it along as my buddy now wears it to work every day (he's a bartender, and it's a great watch for that as it looks great but can get banged around a lot). But I do miss it from time to time.
Great Review and Awesome Watch! IMO Seiko makes a lot of watches & has been doing so for decades. Seiko can get it right at any price point. Yes, I hear about QC alot. I also see WC posts of watches in the plus $1,000, $2,000 and up with QC issues. This watch is just a gem - especially at $175.00! I look at this watch like I do my Z06. Other cars in the multiple six figures boast the same (many cases lower) performance numbers. My Z06 is overbuilt and the competition is underbuilt. This watch punches way above its weight class. Again, Seiko's been doing great work forever. I too have shifted to understated tool watches. Crime in Los Angeles is nuts. No matter what skewed data that's tossed out specifcally there are more reports of people wearing watches that are being robbed. Also, I have come to appreciate the build, value, toughness , and movement of a watch a lot more since wearing tool pieces. I personally do not swim, dive, surf , or snorkel with a watch rated for water resistance less than 100 meters. I don't do any of those activities with a watch that doesn't have a screw down crown- save G Shock and a Luminox that was gifted to me.
Get a 100m watch. That's double the WR. 😀😜
I don't think it's as much of a WR question, but whether the seals were correctly installed. I wouldn't mind taking my own mods swimming, as I know what the gaskets look like, and that they are properly engaged. (A pressure test of course also works.)
I am a long time Seiko fan and have been very critical of the brand for a few years now. Imo, this watch is an example of what they are still doing right. OP and I are definitely of similar mind in a few ways. Great write-up!
This is the Seiko that has been getting good wrist time for me in the last year. Cheers!
You are killing me with these reviews. I don’t even like the SKX (hate the handset) - but I read this and the next thing I know I am mumbling to myself ‘must buy Kentuckyman’s watch’. It’s like you are a ‘watch Svengali’. It’s those dang photos of yours. Seiko needs to get you on their payroll.
Built an orange version for myself with some old skx parts laying around. I wasn’t a fan of these dress kx watches when they first emerged but the more I see and hear about them I’m becoming a fan. Think I’d like to try the smaller 40mm version. Great pics and review, thank you
Yeah. I think it can be a mixed bag with these movements. It's well under the +45 / -35 seconds per day that Seiko rates it, so I'm alright with it. I've owned a few 6R35 references too and some I've owned have been super accurate at +2 spd and some have been +20. I just picked up the SRPD91 (5KX) 8 days ago and so far it's running about a minute fast since I set it, so that's running at about +7.5 spd. Pretty happy with that actually. When it comes to 4R35, 6R35, etc. I don't expect the world. Sometimes they end up being VERY good and other times not as stellar.
You are killing me with these reviews. I don’t even like the SKX (hate the handset) - but I read this and the next thing I know I am mumbling to myself ‘must buy Kentuckyman’s watch’. It’s like you are a ‘watch Svengali’. It’s those dang photos of yours. Seiko needs to get you on their payroll.
Ha! How could you not like those lovable hands? You might just have to try one out! 😉
Great review and pictures! I'm hoping they release a GMT DreesKX.
The only thing I can complain about this watch is it is a lack of originality.
The only thing I can complain about this watch is it is a lack of originality.
Because it's the SKX dial design?
Nice Review! I wore this as my daily for almost a year. Wore it while snuba diving. It held up better than me. Great watch, especially for the price. I think I would've kept it if it was a 36-38mm size. Since Seiko is releasing a 36mm version of the field watch, maybe they'll release a 36mm dressKX.
Nice Review! I wore this as my daily for almost a year. Wore it while snuba diving. It held up better than me. Great watch, especially for the price. I think I would've kept it if it was a 36-38mm size. Since Seiko is releasing a 36mm version of the field watch, maybe they'll release a 36mm dressKX.
What's wild about the size is, I had my hesitations as it was 40mm. The Hamilton KFM wore too big on my wrist (I think) and it was 38mm, but there's something about the case design that makes it seem smaller than an all dial 40mm. I swear it's 38mm with compact lugs, but my calipers keep telling me it's indeed 40mm. Haha.
What's wild about the size is, I had my hesitations as it was 40mm. The Hamilton KFM wore too big on my wrist (I think) and it was 38mm, but there's something about the case design that makes it seem smaller than an all dial 40mm. I swear it's 38mm with compact lugs, but my calipers keep telling me it's indeed 40mm. Haha.
Agreed. Lug to lug length makes a huge difference.
Because it's the SKX dial design?
I should precise it is not original considered that I always have every day watch in the same style so that's not what I'm searching. So it's only a personnal opinion, considered the state of my collection.
Great review - I have been thinking about the SRPE57 and this review sold me. What type of camera are you using for these pix? Great quality!
Hey is there a different reference number for the Kanji dates?
Great review - I have been thinking about the SRPE57 and this review sold me. What type of camera are you using for these pix? Great quality!
Thanks! I use the Fujifilm X100T mostly.
Hey is there a different reference number for the Kanji dates?
Yeah, technically, the one I have is a JDM version (Japanese Domestic Market) which feature Kanji and English dates. The reference for the JDM market edition is SBSA057.
Thanks for the link, this is a stunning watch for the price. Great detailed review, fantastic read thanks so much.
Hey, I love the strap in the first image! Could you please share where you got the strap from? Thanks!
Bro, these pics made me prowl for that watch and TODAY I finally managed to snatch one up on a Japanese site (I wanted that Kanji Date Wheel).
Can't wait for it to arrive and order ALL the straps for it :D
Got this watch the past week (because of your post, as mentioned above) and it's simply phenomenal.
I'm waiting for my Lincoln bracelet from Uncle Straps (the "President" one) and then I'm good to go. This watch looks so good on so many kinds of strap, it's simply unfair to other watches, if you ask me.
And on the plus side (literally) my 4R is running 2 to 3 seconds fast a day, which is also absolutely stunning. Let's see how it runs after I've worn it for some time but it is a looker either way.
Thank you for that post which made me get a watch I will keep in the collection!