Description

Seiko 5 Sports Black Dial Black Nylon Strap Automatic Men’s Watch SRPD83K1 RRP £280

The Case:

The 43mm gun metal grey case of this Seiko 5 Sports SRPD83K1 model is made from polished stainless steel, which offers the wearer unparalleled levels of anti-corrosiveness, as well as ensuring greater shine longevity. Hardlex glass has also been used in order to provide further protection. There is also a non-screw down crown present besides the 4 o’clock marker, the crown guard has a brushed finish, which creates a subtle, yet satisfying, contrast between it and the rest of the polished case.

Similarly, the black 120 click uni directional bezel is made from stainless steel too. The black back drop of the bezel accentuates the powerful red increments that form a track around it. The outer edge of the bezel has been knurled which allows for easy grip of the bezel when rotating it. The case back is transparent, which allows the wearer to view the inner mechanisms of the timepiece.

The Strap:

The black strap of the watch is made nylon, it augments maximum wearer comfort due to the fact it is softer and more flexible than many other strap types. Moreover, it completes the colour scheme of the watch and draws greater attention to the splashes red on the dial and bezel. The strap fastens using a standard buckle, that has been embossed with the Seiko logo.

The Dial:

The black dial of the watch functions as the perfect canvas for rubescent red indices and hands that provided the timepiece with its distinctive looks. The hands and indices are luminescent which allows for visibility in areas of low light. The hour hand comes in a cathedral style, whereas the minute hand comes in an arrow style, both of which have understated black stainless steel trim. Notably, the seconds hand comes in a deep redcolour, which makes it standout against the black dial and helps complete the red on black colour scheme. The second indices are positioned within the chapter ring which is another subdued, but pleasing, touch. A day date window replaces the 3 o’clock marker, this can be displayed in either English or French. The new Seiko 5 Sport logo is present beneath the 12 o’clock marker, whilst ‘automatic’ is displayed above the 6 o’clock mark.

Key Features:

The Functions:

The Seiko 5 Sports range boast Seiko’s new upgraded 4R36 automatic. It is the same movement that is found in more expensive Seiko models, such as the ‘Turtle’ that belongs to the Prospex range. The movement consists of 24 jewels and it operates at 21,600 beats per hour, this ensures the watch has 40 hours of power reserve. It includes Seiko Diashock, which essentially protects the inner mechanisms from any damage the watch may sustain if it were to be dropped or knocked. It is expected to either gain or loose between +45 / -35 seconds per day. Finally, this watch has a water resistance of 100 metres, making it suitable for swimming and snorkelling.

The Family: Seiko 5 Sports

The Seiko 5 Sports has set the standard in affordable, rugged and stylish watches since 1963. Designed to be simple but serious, the Seiko 5 is so-called due to its five key attributes: automatic winding, displaying the day and date in a single window, water resistance, a recessed crown at the 4 o’clock position and a durable metal bracelet. Released in order to meet the demands of the revolutionary baby-boomer generation, the Seiko 5 collection is just as popular to this day, proof that expert craftsmanship and elegant design will never go out of fashion.

The Brand: Seiko

Seiko’s story began in 1881 with the opening of a clock shop in Tokyo, it’s owner was Kintaro Hattori. Eleven years after the opening of his shop, Hattori opened a clock factory with ten employees and it was in 1895 that they began to produce pocket watches. Soon followed by alarm clocks in 1899, and then table clocks in 1902. Then in 1913 Hattori began working on his first wristwatch. The in 1924, 43 years after the initial opening, the brand Seiko was born with the creation of the first Seiko wristwatch.

Seiko established itself throughout the 20th century as being a driving force in the advancements that took place in the watching world. For example, in 1956, Seiko were the producers of the first winding wristwatch made in Japan. Then in 1964, Seiko became the official timer for the Tokyo Olympics. And then most notably Seiko unveiled the first quartz wristwatch, the Astron, in 1969. Marking the beginning of the quartz revolution. Or equally impressive the creation of the world’s first TV watch in 1982. And even more relevant today, with our abhorrent use of non-renewable energy sources, Seiko’s Kinetic. This watch had the ability to generate its own power from the movement of the wearer.

Ceaseless determination to innovate in every aspect of the watchmaker’s art is what defines Seiko’s 135-year history. By embracing this ethos, Seiko has been responsible for a string of industry-leading advances in the technology of time. Notably, the creation of the world’s first quartz watch in 1969. The listed technological developments serve as evidence to illustrate the revolutionary impact which Seiko has had on the watchmaking world. They are also markably unique in that they manufacture every aspect of every watch in-house.

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