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Seiko unveiled the brand new SRPL83, SRPL85, SRPL87, and SRPL89 only some weeks in the past. The brand new quartet is a part of the Seiko 5 Sports activities lineup, extra particularly, the so-called “SKX sequence.” However with that classification comes some psychological gymnastics. When Seiko launched the 5 Sports activities line in 2019, the model was adamant that the newly launched watches weren’t a follow-up to the favored SKX007, SKX009, and so forth, regardless of their visible similarities. A fast have a look at the specs additionally confirmed that. However six years on, the model has taken the legacy of the SKX as inspiration to create a line of watches that followers of the traditional divers would possibly discover complicated. I took the brand new watches for a spin to get some perspective.
Let me begin by correcting myself. Within the introduction article that I wrote for these watches, I advised that the Nineteen Nineties Seiko 7002 diver was the inspiration for the 4 new fashions. Nonetheless, our common reader Fredrik77 identified that the dials had been modeled after the Seiko SKX399 “Filipino.” It’s a very uncommon reference throughout the SKX household. The SKX399 (black) and SKX401 (blue/pink) had been launched in a small variety of Southeast Asian nations, together with the Philippines, therefore the nickname. It might make sense for Seiko to have chosen these references as they join on to the present SKX sequence throughout the Seiko 5 Sports activities assortment. The dials of the SKX399 and the 7002 have the identical normal model however embrace small variations within the 12 o’clock marker and day/date show versus solely a date show on the 7002.
The story of the Seiko 5 Sports activities SRPL83, SRPL85, SRPL87, and SRPL89
With that out of the best way (and because of Fredrik for pointing it out), it’s even simpler to place these watches into context. Or is it? The feedback part of the introduction article made it clear that even six years after the introduction, there are nonetheless many sturdy opinions on the Seiko 5 Sports activities assortment. Specifically, the current-day SKX sequence is all the time topic to a lot debate, typically specializing in two factors — specs and worth for cash.
First, these SKX-inspired fashions are usually not correct dive watches like their predecessors had been. Seiko made this clear from the beginning, but the purpose retains arising. I perceive all of it too nicely. For those who draw inspiration from one in all your most well-known dive watches that was discontinued proper across the time the Seiko 5 Sports activities assortment was launched, you allow the door open for SKX followers to maintain dwelling on that.
With an SKX-style case that’s solely water-proof to 100 meters and a push-pull crown, it’ll by no means be the identical as the favored watches it takes after. As Mike defined six years in the past, retaining the 200m depth score and screw-down crown would have made many SKX followers happier.
A wider perspective
However I’m keen to see this within the better context of the Seiko catalog. As a model, Seiko has the Prospex assortment for its dive watches, whereas the Seiko 5 Sports activities assortment is a sequence of informal and inexpensive watches. Inside it, there may be the SKX sequence, the Subject Sequence, and the just lately added SNXS sequence. These three cowl a large palette of obtainable design choices that provide one thing for individuals on the lookout for an inexpensive Seiko watch.
Seiko typically makes use of the SKX canvas to carry again well-known Seiko 5 Sports activities classics from the previous. Moreover, now we have seen new variations just like the good SKX-based GMTs. As well as, the SKX sequence has seen a string of funky collaborations with well-known sports activities stars, manga and anime franchises, and clothes manufacturers.
We have now written about fairly a couple of of them, and I drastically take pleasure in some watches within the SKX sequence. The 2-tone US-exclusive SSK021 GMT remains to be a magnificence. Moreover, I might nonetheless love so as to add one of many Seiko 5 Sports activities × Rowing Blazers fashions to my assortment.
Placing the SRPL83, SRPL85, SRPL87, and SRPL89 in Seiko 5 Sports activities context
The broader context now determines how I have a look at the SKX sequence throughout the Seiko 5 Sports activities assortment. I actually don’t see it as a sequence of dive or wannabe dive watches. However I perceive the SKX followers’ challenge with the fashions that particularly mimic one in all their favourite inexpensive Seiko divers.
With each Seiko 5 Sports activities launch impressed by one other SKX mannequin from the previous, you will notice the identical criticism. Not solely is it an awesome testomony to the passionate emotions SKX followers have for the legendary sequence, however it’ll additionally all the time relate to a debatable selection made by Seiko, irrespective of the better context of the Seiko 5 Sports activities assortment.
I really feel much less strongly in regards to the challenge as a result of I’ve by no means been an enormous SKX fan. I’ve all the time discovered that Seiko had a lot better-designed choices in its assortment. Granted, these may need been barely costlier, however I’m greater than keen to pay a bit further for appears to be like. In any case, you may’t get peace of thoughts from a price ticket alone. Quite, it stems from a watch you’ll love sporting each day, with an applicable value to match.
Stiffer competitors at a low value level
This brings me to the second level of criticism — the value and relative worth for cash. It may be a prolonged dialogue about Seiko and the trade. I gained’t get into that as a result of it’s all about what you might be keen to spend on a watch. Certain, the SKX was extra inexpensive and supplied higher specs. However now we have moved on from that, and steeper costs are a truth of life. It’s not one thing I essentially agree with, however what are you able to do about it?
You’ll be able to’t do something in regards to the price ticket per se, however the choices at a lower cost level have change into way more in depth. The variety of microbrands providing inexpensive dive watches with nice specs has elevated tremendously. On prime of that, Citizen has been doing an awesome job of releasing very succesful and inexpensive dive watches. So there are nice choices in case you are on the lookout for a reliable, inexpensive diver for an inexpensive value.
Sporting the Seiko 5 Sports activities SRPL83, SRPL85, SRPL87, and SRPL89
However in case you are on the lookout for enjoyable and fairly succesful Seiko 5 Sports activities watches impressed by uncommon SKX classics, that is nonetheless an awesome sequence. I’ve come to understand the Seiko 5 Sports activities assortment as a enjoyable line of watches that provides an awesome selection. As I discussed, it has led to a love for a handful of fashions I might be pleased so as to add to my assortment. Whereas these 4 new fashions are usually not essentially on that checklist, they’re releases that also have that gateway potential that the unique SKX sequence additionally had. These watches are nice, inexpensive choices for individuals simply entering into watches.
On prime of that, their 42.5 × 46 × 13.9mm instances put on like a appeal. In case you have ever tried any SKX-inspired Seiko 5 Sports activities fashions, you’ll know that they aren’t the slimmest watches however are nonetheless very charming. That appeal is enhanced by the story behind them. I consider they could possibly be the right method for brand new watch lovers to find the wealthy historical past of Seiko divers. It may additionally cause them to uncover the unique watches that these SRPL83, SRPL85, SRPL87, and SRPL89 take after. I see that as an awesome facet of the Seiko 5 Sports activities fashions that pay homage to the model’s classics.
Closing ideas on the brand new Seiko 5 Sports activities SRPL83, SRPL85, SRPL87, and SRPL89
The place does that depart the die-hard SKX followers? The sober conclusion is that these watches are most likely not for you. Seiko has made no secret of that from the start. As I mentioned, although, I agree with SKX followers that utilizing the design canvas of the legendary sequence of dive watches with out a comparable set of specs raises an eyebrow each time. The most effective various for these individuals is to benefit from the traditional Seiko SKX fashions. Although discontinued, they’re typically straightforward to seek out, and the costs are nonetheless greater than cheap.
General, I perceive and recognize Seiko’s catalog as it’s. The model affords an amazing number of watches at totally different value factors. I might simply checklist 10–15 fashions from Seiko’s numerous collections that I might take pleasure in sporting each day. However the actuality is that I might be trying on the Prospex assortment for a Seiko dive watch, not the Seiko 5 Sports activities line. Whereas the appears to be like of the SKX sequence may be tempting, I do know that’s not the place to search for a dive watch, and Seiko has additionally made that very clear.
Sure, seeing homages to well-respected Seiko dive classics exterior the Prospex assortment will all the time really feel considerably awkward. Then once more, are you able to blame Seiko for utilizing such an immediately recognizable canvas for this sequence? The industrial success of the Seiko 5 Sports activities assortment speaks for itself, and I don’t see the recognition ending anytime quickly.
It is a preferred-position put up. Study extra.
