Seiko 5 Sports x Rowing Blazers Review

tudorable

1 month ago

Designed by Rowing Blazers Creative Director Jack Carlson and vintage watch expert Eric Wind of Wind Vintage, this limited edition is a bit more expensive than your typical Seiko 5 Sports so lets see if it’s worth extra money.

CASE:

The case is Seiko’s smaller 40mm “DressKX” case which I prefer due to my slimmer wrists. The finishing is a nice mix of brushing and polishing. I appreciate the engraved R.B. signed crown and the display caseback with their skeleton logo. I’m a sucker for domed crystals that create distortion so this was a nice upgrade from the flat hardlex Seiko usually uses.

DIAL:

The flat blue dial is the star of the show. It changes shades depending on the lighting giving it depth and richness. I love the three dimensional wedge shaped indices that slope inwards. It reminds me of vintage Seikos from the 70s and 80s. The framed black kanji day/date wheel is so cool and the red striped seconds hand is a fun quirk that adds a pop of color.

BRACELET:

The watch comes with both a steel bracelet and nato strap. The bracelet is just your typical Seiko oyster style which is why I chose to put it on a jubilee bracelet from Long Island Watch. The nato is nice but I could not pull off it’s bold red and yellow colors.

MOVEMENT:

The movement is just your typical Seiko 4R36. Nothing to write home about but smooth winding, minimal rotor noise, and most importantly reliable.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Overall I think this limited edition is worth the extra money. The many details and unique design elements makes this Seiko feel special. The dial is so fun and interesting to look at, I just never get bored of it. It’s a great addition to the collection when I want to wear something playful and casual. Sometimes I take this hobby to seriously and this piece reminds me to relax and have fun.