The New & Improved Seiko 5 Sports SNXS Series (SRPK87, SRPK89, SRPK91)

Launched in 1963, the Seiko Sportsmatic 5 was Seiko’s and Japan’s first automatic day-date watch. With its solid water and shock-resistant stainless case and bracelet, practical functions, automatic movement and accessible price, the Seiko 5 became an instant best-seller among young people. Following Seiko’s participation in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, exports of the Seiko 5 in 1966 reportedly exceeded the total number of automatic watches produced in Switzerland. Evolving over the years, the popularity of the iconic Seiko 5 has never waned and is still positioned as an unbeatable, affordable daily beater. Following a major overhaul of the Seiko 5 in 2019, the latest news is that the SNXS, a sub-collection in the Seiko 5 universe designed as a compact everyday model, has been updated – and there’s more to it than meets the eye. Here are the new SRPK87, SRPK89 and SRPK91.

The three new Seiko 5 Sports SNXS Series (ever wondered why people give Seiko watches nicknames?) retain the compact diameter of this sub-family with their 37.4mm diameter and the signature crown embedded in the case at 4 o’clock. The case height is 12.5mm, and the lug-to-lug is 44.7mm. The curved, streamlined case construction with its brightly polished fixed bezel is retained, but instead of the former polished case middle, this area is brushed, a practical consideration to avoid scratches.

A noticeable improvement is the increase in water-resistance from 30m to 100m. To address one of the most frequent complaints regarding the bracelet’s quality, the new references feature a redesigned bracelet with a triple-folding clasp and a push-button release.

Available with ivory, black or navy blue dials, all three references share a bright orange central seconds hand, a feature inherited from many Seiko 5 watches of the 1970s. The sunburst finish of the dials changes colour according to the light, and the applied baton indices and multi-faceted hour and minute hands are treated with beige-toned Lumibrite, giving the watch an ever-so-slight retro vibe. Another attractive feature is the contrasting colour of the minutes track on the flange, marking a departure from the monochrome dials of earlier models. The date window retains its classic position at 3 o’clock and features a dark background. However, the ‘Automatic’ mention on the dial is now depicted in cursive letters, and the Seiko 5 logo corresponds to the 2019 upgrade. Like other entry-level Seiko watches, the dial is protected by a curved Hardlex mineral crystal.

Perhaps the most significant upgrade concerns the movement. The in-house automatic 7S26 movement powering former editions has been replaced with the 4R36, which delivers a similar power reserve of 41 hours but comes with some desirable features. Seiko released this movement circa 2011 and is considered to be an upgrade from the popular 7S36 movement, offering the stop-seconds (hacking) function and hand-winding functionality. No pictures are available at the moment, but the movement is visible through the see-through caseback.

The three new references (SRPK87, SRPK89, SRPK91) will be available in May 2024 and retail for EUR 400. For more information, please visit Seikowatches.com.