A Look at the Seiko 5 Sports SKX GMT Watches
Wednesday - 29 June 2022
Seiko has released three new Seiko 5 Sports SKX watches from the 5 Sports collection. Meet the new Seiko 5 Sports “Mikan Orange”, “Blueberry” and “Black Grape” watches.
You could certainly argue that the new Seiko 5 Sports Style GMT model is the best summer watch of 2022. Now that the seasons have finally changed and we’re spending more time in the great outdoors, many have a watch in mind to accompany them. What’s more, it’s a time when we tend to travel more, so the need for a stylish GMT watch becomes ever more apparent. Every sports watch should tick a list of credentials. What appeals more to someone differs from one individual to the next, however, robustness, water-resistance and style are a few important things to consider. But if you don’t fancy having to decipher which watch on the market offers you the most for your money, you could just opt for the Seiko 5 Sports Style GMT watch. Above all, the watch offers an appealing price tag, looks good and is fully equipped for outdoor exploration. The three new Seiko 5 Sports Style GMT watches go by the references SSK001K1, SSK003K1 and SSK005K1. Let’s meet them…
First of all, five pillars make up the backbone of the initial Seiko 5 watch collection. These cover the following: 1) a robust case, 2) a reliable in-house movement, 3) a day-date complication, 4) a recessed crown, and 5) a minimum water-resistance of 30 meters. The collection has been going for the past 55 years and over that time, there have been various movements introduced into the range as well as different design elements. Since being revamped in 2019, the Seiko 5 watch collection, which acquired the new name, Seiko 5 Sports, couldn’t be any more geared for outdoor adventure and exploration. These inexpensive high-performance sports watches are perfect for recreational diving, swimming, dry land sports, water sports and generally look cool on the wrist.
Implemented with the SKX design, the new Seiko 5 Sports collection is home to a series of sports watches that all share a similar DNA in tribute to the 1990s models, which were released with improved mechanical efficiency, luminous markers for easier readability, and a stylish 5-link beads-of-rice stainless steel bracelet. Even though the watches from the SKX line offer different dial colours, different bezels and different functions, they were all powered by the same 4R movement.
The new Seiko 5 Sports Style GMT watch
The three new releases under the Seiko 5 Sports Style GMT name are a mechanical evolution of their ancestors. Their asymmetrical stainless steel cases and classic day/date function, combined with a practical GMT feature, prove to strike the perfect balance between simple and functional. The models all offer a diameter of 42.5mm and a height of 13.6mm. They’ve all been developed from stainless steel and promise a comfortable case shape for the wrist. What’s more, they all feature a screw-down crown located at 4 o’clock.
A 100-meter water resistance is more than sufficient so long as you don’t want to go diving, whilst a Hardlex top on each watch serves to protect the dial from damage. The reference SSK001K1 is a black dial version evoking a classic look and is named the ‘Black Grape’ GMT SKX Re-Interpretation, whilst the reference SSK003K1 has a sporty blue dial and is named the Seiko 5 Sports ‘Blueberry’ GMT SKX Re-Interpretation watch. The reference SSK005K1 has a vibrant orange-coloured dial that is sure to get noticed on the wrist and is named the Seiko 5 Sports ‘Mikan Orange’ GMT SKX Re-Interpretation. Coated in Hardlex and offering the 24-hour markers clearly in Arabic numerals that work in conjunction with the second time zone hand, each bezel will, no doubt, stand the test of time. The Hardlex material will protect the colour and details of the bezel thanks to its resistant properties. Interestingly, the 24-hour scale is printed on the inner face and the inserts are bi-colour to differentiate between daytime and nighttime hours. Black and grey are seen in the bezels of the black and orange models, whilst the blue version features blue and black tones on its bezel.
On the black, blue and orange dials, an hour hand, an arrow-head minute hand, and a GMT hand with a triangular tip are all coated in LumiBrite. The fluorescent luminous paint quickly absorbs light energy to provide a longer-lasting glow that fades slowly. A date window found at 3 o’clock on each of the three new Seiko 5 Sports GMT SKX Re-Interpretation watches is positioned underneath a cyclops lens for easy readability.
The three new Seiko 5 Sports GMT SKX Re-Interpretation watches are powered by the Calibre 4R34. The automatic movement provides a 41-hour power reserve once fully wound and performs at a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour. All three models also come complete with a stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet and a three-fold clasp with a secure lock. For more information on any of the new Seiko 5 Sports Style GMT watches, you can view them here, or call and speak to a member of our sales team at Jura Watches on 01335 453453
