It comes as no surprise that Seiko 5 watches come with an incredible value proposition and are arguably praised as being one of the most affordable automatic watches available on the market. More than 50 years ago, Seiko unveiled their first Seiko 5, the “Sportsmatic 5” in 1963 which brought specifications and innovations to the watch industry that rivals many of their Swiss counterparts, this also marked Japan’s first ever mechanical watch with a day-date complication. The number ‘5’ represents five core attributes that a Seiko 5 watch has to possess: A self-winding automatic movement, water resistance capabilities, a day-date complication, a recessed crown at the 4 o’clock position, and a durable case.
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Seiko 5 Sports “Street Style” Concrete Grey Ref. SBSA127
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In 2019, Seiko revitalized and relaunched their Seiko 5 Sports collection adding an astounding 27 new watches to the collection that was essentially based on the extremely iconic Seiko SKX007, the quintessential beater dive watch for many watch enthusiasts that was recently discontinued since its production in 1996. The latest generation of Seiko 5 Sports watches brought an array of vivid colours and youthful designs carrying the upgraded caliber 4R36 as well as the new Seiko 5 logo.
Joining the many exciting variations of the revamped Seiko 5 Sports line of watches is the Seiko 5 Sports “Street Style” Concrete Grey Ref. SBSA127, retaining the classic case and handsets from the famed SKX007 while bringing contemporary upgrades with a refreshing new appearance that will not fail to impress.
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4R36 automatic caliber
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The case dimensions remain unchanged from its predecessor with a 42.5mm case diameter and a thickness of 13.4mm. The watch wears notably more compact than its diameter suggests due to the stubby lugs measuring a mere 46mm from lug to lug, allowing for a comfortable fit for a wide range of wrist sizes. Even though this new line up drops the ISO certification and 200m of water resistance present in its predecessor, the watch still holds a water resistance of 100m which still provides ample protection against splashes.
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 22mm grey nylon strap offering a lightweight and comfortable fit on the wrist. One of the subtle but significant upgrades from the SKX007 is the addition of drilled lug holes, allowing straps to be conveniently swapped out to your favorite choice of straps with ease.
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Seiko's satin brush and high polished finishing on the case
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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 Ref. SBSA127 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.
The overall aesthetic of the Seiko 5 Sports “Street Style” Concrete Grey Ref. SBSA127 unequivocally leans toward a sportier appeal that is fit for an everyday casual look. Nevertheless, the foundation elements of a dive watch still stand with a 120-click unidirectional rotating diving bezel. The bezel is fitted with a deep grey aluminium insert with a 60-minute graduation scale for measurement of elapsed time underwater. Overall, all the elements of this piece perfectly complement each other with a grey bezel insert that matches beautifully with the textured dial dial.
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Seiko's proprietary LumiBrite
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The Seiko 5 Sports “Street Style” Concrete Grey Ref. SBSA127 runs on the ever reliable Seiko’s in-house caliber 4R36 automatic movement. This long awaited upgrade features hacking and hand-winding capabilities, which were much desired by many Seiko fanatics as the Seiko SKX007 utilized the caliber 7S26 which were lacking in these aspects. The 24 jewel movement has a beat rate of 21,600 beats per hour with a power reserve of about 40 hours. Additionally, the movement houses a date and day calendar at the 3 o’clock position with a choice of either English or Japanese Kanji characters.
The revamp of the Seiko 5 line up definitely brings excitement for those who are yearning for an affordable, fully in-house automatic watch with a wide variety of designs to choose from. The combination of a classic Seiko diver design, traditional watchmaking heritage and a stylish appeal makes the Seiko 5 Sports “Street Style” Concrete Grey Ref. SBSA127 a wonderful daily companion that matches your own unique style. The legacy of the famed SKX007 is preserved in this new Seiko 5 line up, upholding more than 50 years of exceptional quality - A perfect value-driven choice for new or seasoned Seiko enthusiasts.
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