In praise of Seiko 5 Sports
This is a post in praise of Seiko's 5 sports line.
After watching several positive reviews on youtube and blog posts, I've decided to pull the trigger and buy myself a Seiko 5 Sport.
I already own a Seiko speedtimer, one of my favourite watches in my beginner collection, hence I wasn't sure about buying another "affordable" seiko.
Yet the evidence on the quality of the S5 was too overwhelmingly positive to be ignored.
That, plus an Amazon giftcard, helped me made up my mind, hence I finally bought myself a SRPE57K1.
My perceived quality of the watch is quite high. It doesn't look or feel like a budget watch at all. It is automatic, with a decent power reserve and accuracy for the price. Also has some enjoyable details, like the weekend days turning red (yes, the weekend!).
In social situations it performed well. I went to a work meeting and some senior people were dressing heavy hitters like Zenith or Rolex. Upon looking at my watch they asked me wheter I paid it 1K (the price was around 2 hundred bucks).
I generally don't care about validation in that sense (you either have the money or you don't), yet I take this comment as a confirmation of perceived quality which for me is a plus.
This experience convinced me even more about my philosophy about watch collecting: focus on value, not status.
Seiko 5 Sports is definitely a value watch. With soaring watch prices focusing on perceived value might be a good way to go.
The only drawback, I have to admit, is the bracelet. It is ok, and well made for the price range, yet when shaking the whirst it might feel a bit cluncky.
On the plus side the Sport 5 line indeed great, hence I may consider buying more watches in this line (hello SNKL23!).
Cheers!
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Good philosophy. I ordered the SRPE63 blue dial on strap version from Long Island Watch that should arrive Monday. I got it on strap because I prefer the brushed case, and will first try it on a navy blue silicone band.
Congratulations. If your get a Seiko 5 dressKX then pickup lot of straps cause this watch looks absolutely good in everything.
The SNKL23 is absolute beauty from the older Seiko 5 line. Have one myself.
Seiko offers excellent pieces at great prices. I have two and love them.
SRPD53K1 for me today. A great watch that opened the floodgates of mechanic watchmaking and horology in general. Fun, versatile, from the office to the fitness studio to dinner with friends, it does it all.
The bracelet is sure meh, but it’s a clear invitation to venture out of the bracelet zone and experiment with different straps.
However, this is my latest weekend with it, as I’ll be trading it for a Seiko Turtle PADI next Monday. Will never be forgotten though.
Lovely reading! Congrats on buying a great watch from a well known brand with a long and rich history!🙌🏻😁
The long Island watch company uses Seiko movements to make a better Seiko with the extra parts Seiko corp. should have put in for comparable money. Sapphire and decent bracelet to start with.
Good philosophy. I ordered the SRPE63 blue dial on strap version from Long Island Watch that should arrive Monday. I got it on strap because I prefer the brushed case, and will first try it on a navy blue silicone band.
This is great info! As you found out the SRPE series comes in five colors with a polished bezel when purchased on a bracelet as opposed to a brushed bezel when purchased on the strap. Many others prefer the brushed bezel too and since the bracelet isn't that great anyway they end up buying an aftermarket Strapcode or Uncle bracelet (formerly Uncle Seiko). I put my brushed bezel SRPE63 "Silver Shadow" on an Uncle Jubilee bracelet and now it gets a ton of wrist time.