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Whether you are full I realized it at the time, and you almost certainly saw it Seiko 5 Sports He watches. This collection of watches has been around for decades and is not only broad in scope, covering everything from dive watches to dress watches, but it has also become a model for the watch world when it comes to offering value.
In short, WIRED is long overdue in properly recognizing the 5 Sports collection, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to get your hands on one of the most diverse, respected and most importantly, often affordable collections of watches.
Be sure to check out our other watch buying guides, including Best cheap watches under $1000 and Best smart watches.
What is Seiko 5 Sports, and why is it so good?
Seiko has been making wristwatches for over 100 years, but the modern Seiko 5 Sports collection traces its roots back to 1963 and the release of Seiko Sportsmatic 5which was then improved until the first watch bearing the name Seiko 5 Sports was released in 1968.
The number 5 in the name comes directly from the five core design and manufacturing principles of the 1968: automatic movement, day/date window, outstanding levels of water resistance, a hollow crown at 4 o’clock, and rugged durability (from the case, bracelet, and Seiko’s own Hardlex glass). All of this still applies to the majority of today’s five-sport models.
Watch enthusiasts love history, and the Seiko brand and its 5 Sports line have it in large quantities, but the collection also attracts people for its value. The most expensive current Seiko 5 Sports models cost $500, but the majority cost around $350, making them surprisingly affordable considering the brand name and heritage, along with the quality and features offered.
Understanding the Seiko 5 Sports Collection
There have been hundreds of 5 Sport models over the years (even fans make their own). Wall stickers You can print them out and hang them up), and Seiko marketed them in different ways, making them difficult to keep track of. However, in 2019, Seiko has tweaked its extensive and somewhat complex Seiko 5 Sports range, simplifying it (somewhat) by grouping the models into three ranges: the SKX Series, SNXS Series, and Field Series.
Now, don’t think that this rebranding will help you quickly find and select the perfect Seiko 5 Sports watch, because there are still dozens of models in every segment – and that’s before you head outside of Seiko’s own store, where you’ll find an array of new old stock models, discontinued models, and even limited editions for sale.
Yes, the world of Seiko 5 watches will make your head spin, so where do you start? We are here to help. We’ve got 10 watches for you, five of which you can easily find through Seiko’s online store or other outlets, including Amazon, plus five more that will take a little more work to find but are really worth it.
Best Seiko 5 Sports Watches to Buy
Courtesy of Seiko
Part of the SKX series, Sarbad55 It is a modern symbol. Why? The reason comes from where the series got its name. Seiko’s SKX007 (and the more colorful SKX009) was an ISO-certified dive watch that gained a legion of fans due to its serious design, durability, reliability, and affordability. It shared many of the core principles of the Seiko 5, but it didn’t carry the Seiko 5 name.
It was discontinued just before the Seiko 5 Sports rebranding in 2019, but has continued (in spirit, at least) in the SRPD55, just without the robust ISO-certified water resistance to 200 metres, making do with 100 meters instead. We like the no-nonsense black dial model in classic diving style, the 42.5mm case, the Hardlex mineral crystal, and the choice of a metal or nylon strap.
Flip the watch over and you’ll find a display caseback displaying the Seiko 4R36 automatic movement, known for its reliability, and returns a power reserve of around 40 hours. You’ll find it inside most of the watches on this list.
The SRPD55 is as close to the current SKX007 as you can get, and considering the quality, reliability and minimalist style, it’s a great buy at around $350. A great everyday watch, and probably the perfect first automatic watch too.
Courtesy of Seiko
the SSK005 It’s near the top of the SKX line, and although the price is at the high end of what you’d pay for a 5-sport, you get a lot for it. The SSK005 is a GMT watch, which means it has a 24-hour hand to tell the time in a second time zone, but that’s not the only reason it’s on this list.
It’s important to note the model number here, as it links to the Seiko 5 GMT with a striking orange dial and black bezel, giving the date-only dial a sporty, eye-catching style of its own.