Seiko 5 Sports SRPG77K
If you have read any of my lengthy posts on @WatchCrunch, you'll know that I am always keen on a timepiece that exhibits two distinct features: value for money (i.e., a hefty discount on MSRP), and something a bit quirky/odd/uncommon.
So having tracked the price and availability over the last couple of weeks, and seeing them disappear from my preferred online dealer's site, I bit the bullet and grabbed a #seiko5 SRPG77 since the #brown colourway is essentially going at half the MSRP. Should be on the wrist by Tuesday.
Seiko 5 SPRG77
Now, "What is the SRPG77?" I hear you ask. Well, it's hard to say. Essentially, it is a Seiko 5, running a 4R36 movement, like every other modern Seiko 5. The difference is the case, which is #resin (which in horology terms is a nice way of saying #plastic). Other than that, it's a pretty standard offering:
The Seiko 5 Sports SRPG77K features a hard coated Resin case with a 39mm case size and a thickness of 12.4mm. The lug width for this series of the Resin Seiko 5 models is 18mm. The watch is fitted soft Silicone rubber strap with a stainless steel tang buckle. The glass is curved Hardlex. The hands and the markers are luminous and the crown is Stainless Steel.
The Seiko 5 sports Resin SRPG77 features the Seiko Automatic and Manual winding 24 Jewels movement calibre 4R36 with an approximate power reserve of 41 hours and a daily time tolerance of +45 / -35 seconds. This watch has a water resistance rating of 100m.
In Australia, the available colourways are in #black (SRPG79), brown (the aforementioned SRPG77), #green (SRPG73), #blue (SRPG75) and #white/cream (SRPG71) colourways, while in other parts of the Asia-pacific region, you can pick up versions in all black, blue, #teal (green), and #grey:
From Singapore retailer City Chain [Singapore Dollars].
You may have noticed from the image above that while the brown model is AUD$189.00, yet the white is AUD$229.00, and the blue was AUD$249.00...
this is a little aggravating given the three models available are all being sold at a hefty discount (at least in the case of the brown ,and the green which is sold out) and to get rid of what is presumably a "not-so-good" selling model. While you are paying full price in Singapore - at least the pricing seems fair...
Nevertheless. What is up with a #39mm plastic Seiko 5!? Is this Seiko attempting to take on the #moonswatch? If so, I think Seiko has failed here, and Jody at Just One More Watch agrees:
Still, at AUD$100.00 less than MSRP, a proven automatic movement, and technically my first "modern" version of a Seiko 5 (and a brown watch - something I have been Jonesing for well over a year) I couldn't 't say no. I know a few other Crunchers have mentioned they have picked up the brown, grey, and green models. It will be interesting to see what it is like in the flesh and on the wrist. I imagine a review will be forthcoming.
Raconteur, budding collector and man about town. I buy watches because they're shiny.
That's an interesting piece, and not seemingly available in my market.
I appreciate the BROWN of it, as I recently scratched that itch with another Seiko 5 - the srpd85. I added a brown silicon strap in place of brown nato.
Enjoy it!
I've seen that review. Let me know when you get one if you can hear the rotor moving in the case.
I have a SRPD93 but blue. I do like that brown colorway! Looking forward to your review!
Cheers!
Eh that YT channel is sensationalist click-bait. It is on my block list for nearly a year now.
I've seen these S5s at an AD. Low cost, in resin, maybe can beat them up more than the usual S5. Not as resilient as a G-Shock, but a nice mechanical beater alternative that can take more abuse without scars showing like they do on steel watches.
These resin models were limited-run models from Seiko, the single colored models were originally introduced for China market couple of years ago. They are part of an ocean plastic awareness which Seiko does with some organizations. Many Singapore grey market retailers sell market-specific Seiko exclusives and you barely get discounts on those (best place to get Zimbe limited editions which are actually low numbered limited editions Seiko sells).
These dual colored models were limited run release for the Oceania market last year. I'm pretty sure Seiko is not trying to take on Moonswatch by releasing it just for a specific market. And imo for around $200, it is still better value than the quartz Moonswatch. And Seiko makes some nice resin prospex watches for professional athletes so it is not like the pretentious bioceramic.
The clickbait title of the youtube watch reviews is getting out of hand recently. Everyone just slamming Rolex and Moonswatch to get to the algorithm.
These resin models were limited-run models from Seiko, the single colored models were originally introduced for China market couple of years ago. They are part of an ocean plastic awareness which Seiko does with some organizations. Many Singapore grey market retailers sell market-specific Seiko exclusives and you barely get discounts on those (best place to get Zimbe limited editions which are actually low numbered limited editions Seiko sells).
These dual colored models were limited run release for the Oceania market last year. I'm pretty sure Seiko is not trying to take on Moonswatch by releasing it just for a specific market. And imo for around $200, it is still better value than the quartz Moonswatch. And Seiko makes some nice resin prospex watches for professional athletes so it is not like the pretentious bioceramic.
The clickbait title of the youtube watch reviews is getting out of hand recently. Everyone just slamming Rolex and Moonswatch to get to the algorithm.
I had a feeling they were region-specific offerings with the mono-coloured ones getting a fair amount of play in #china etc. I didn't know they were tied to the ocean plastic awareness thing though - you'd think that #seiko would have made a bit more fanfare about that (although maybe there was the fear that it would take away from #savetheocean?).
Ah #singapore... when I want to drool over #zimbe or #thailand-exclusive models, which are always more interesting than AU/NZ exclusives (here's a #blue #turtle...here's a #green turtle...), I head to Singapore!
I read a post in reddit about the mono colored model about it being made from recycled ocean plastic. Seiko's marketing is odd, they add things and sometime never bother to mention it in the specs. They make quite nice sailcloth and nato style straps made from recycled ocean plastic which is included in the some of the save the ocean Prospex models, the latest was the SPB333 with the nice blue-white nato.
Zimbe editions always look great and interesting. Im still on the fence about picking up the new zimbe Tuna SRPJ55 from chrono24 Singapore dealer.