Seiko 5 Sports “Street Style” Concrete Grey 40 Ref. SBSA129

Seiko 5 Sports has never failed to deliver the highest levels of reliability and durability for more than half a decade. As a result, this brand has been recognised all around the globe for its incredibly robust mechanical watches. Introducing the Seiko 5 Sports, a collection that lives out the same ethos while pushing you beyond the norm to find your own style with its handsome timepieces that cater to every preference. Check out the refreshing new look of its recent launch, the Seiko 5 Sports “Street Style” Concrete Grey 40 Ref. SBSA129.

Powered by a 4R36 calibre, this timepiece has an automatic movement with manual winding capacity and is crafted with 24 jewels. To increase the precision of time-setting, this movement takes after the Swiss ETA 2824-2 with a second hand stop function. Furthermore, protected by a flat Hardlex crystal, this watch stands out with its excellent functionality and accuracy.

Be pleasantly surprised by the slim 40mm case of the “Street Style” Concrete Grey 40 Ref. SBSA129 which has a thickness of only 11.5mm, 2mm thinner than past “Diver” Seiko 5 models. As such, the slight cut-ins where the watch case meets the wrist are greatly dramatized due to its significantly slimmer profile.

Taking after the rustic look of well-used metals, finishing is meticulously executed with an entirely bead blasted finish for a tough utilitarian appeal, making the watch appear as if it lived through a lifetime of adventures. To complement the grey color theme, the watch is supplied with a sporty 20mm grey nylon strap offering a lightweight and comfortable fit on the wrist. One of the subtle but significant upgrades which predecessors such as the SKX007 were lacking in, is the addition of drilled lug holes, allowing straps to be conveniently swapped out to your favorite choice of straps with ease.

What sets this watch apart is its lack of a dive bezel which usually characterises Seiko 5 timepieces, gracing the “Street Style” Concrete Grey 40 Ref. SBSA129 with a stylish minimalistic look. Its slim bezel-less case results in a perfectly-fitting watch, without the bulkiness of a typical diver. Despite not having a bezel, this watch does not compromise on the depth of its design by retaining a heavy chamfered rehaut, the trademark of a Seiko 5 timepiece.

Even at this affordable price point, Seiko delivered a mesmerising textured dial exhibiting a strong yet understated character that stands out from the rest of the crowd. The Seiko 5 Sports “Street Style” Concrete Grey 40 Ref. SBSA129 flaunts an immersive muted grey concrete-textured dial which combines multiple irregular craters and brush strokes, resulting in a rich, bold dial. Indices and hands are coated with Seiko’s proprietary Lumibrite luminous paint, widely recognized to glow like a torch in the dark. Protecting the dial is Seiko’s proprietary Hardlex crystal with anti-reflective coating.

With a neat day and date English-Kanji window at 3 o’clock, this modern Seiko 5 timepiece boasts excellent readability courtesy of its simple design while still maintaining a tool watch look. What’s more? Admire the see-through screwed-down case back of the “Street Style” Concrete Grey 40 Ref. SBSA129 and its 4 o’clock push-pull crown that allow for a 100m water resistance.

Despite taking after previous Seiko 5 Sports watches fitted with gleaming bezels, the “Street Style” Concrete Grey 40 Ref. SBSA129 is a watch that defies the norms of the typical diver. Marrying an elegant dress watch design and a robust sports build, this timepiece goes bezel-less to bare the essence of its timeless style. This watch is also the result of the renowned Japanese watchmaker’s careful consideration of customer feedback and desire for a more everyday timepiece that does not necessarily have to serve as a dive watch. The new Seiko 5 “Street Style” Concrete Grey 40 Ref. SBSA129, your reliable diving companion that steals the spotlight from the beauty of the ocean with its ritzy design.