I love a metal sports watch and I love Seiko, so when these two things come together, it’s almost an instant win for me. So, as you can probably imagine, the new and improved series of Seiko 5 Sports SNXS watches got me excited when they launched this morning, but do they live up to my expectations?
Seiko 5 Sports SNXS Series - Credit Seiko
The Seiko 5 Sports collection has become rather vast in its offerings since it was overhauled in 2019. The series is inspired by the original Seiko Sportsmatic 5 watch launched in 1963 that made history as Seiko’s and Japan’s first ever automatic day-date watch. Ever since, every Seiko 5 watch has ticked five specific boxes: a solid steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, recessed crown, water resistance and a day date complication. The collection’s popularity has never waned and now includes models like the 5 Sports Field (a field watch), the 5 Sports ‘Midi’ (a compact sized dive watch) and the 5 Sports Flieger (a pilot’s watch).
Another sub-collection is the Seiko SNXS, a series of dressy and compact metal sports watches. Today, a new trio of designs has been added to the series with some subtle and not-so-subtle improvements. For starters, the water resistant rating has improved dramatically from 30 metres to 100 metres. The finishing of the case is also a little different; the case middle is brushed instead of polished.
Seiko 5 Sports SNXS Series - Credit Seiko
Dimensions are kept the same with the stainless steel case sitting at a reasonably sized 37.4mm wide and 12.5mm tall with a lug-to-lug width of 44.7mm. The case is still nicely curved with a polished fixed bezel and Hardlex crystal glass. The bracelet is also redesigned and comes with a triple folding buckle and push button release.
As mentioned, there are currently three versions of the Seiko 5 Sports SNXS watch available, each with a different coloured dial. The first is named “Beige Chinos” (SRPK91) and opts for a sunray-brushed beige-cream colour. The second is “Deep Black Wash”(SRPK89) with a classic black dial and the third is “Rinse Blue” (SRPK87) decorated in a navy hue. All three are adorned with faceted hour and minute hands and applied baton indexes with beige-coloured Lumibrite. There’s also a bright orange seconds hand and a blacked-out day and date complication at 3 o’clock. The only real change to the dial is the cursive font used on the “Automatic” printing and the Seiko 5 logo now matches the rest of the post-2019 collection.
Seiko 5 Sports SNXS Series - Credit Seiko
The final and possibly most notable upgrade to the Seiko 5 Sports SNXS Series is the movement. The Calibre 7S26 is replaced by the Calibre 4R36 with hacking function and manual-winding capability. It also delivers a 41-hour power reserve, 24 jewels and an accuracy of -35/+45 seconds per day. Seiko has confirmed these watches will have exhibition case backs so you can admire the movement at work when the watch is off your wrist.
The new Seiko 5 Sports SNXS Series is expected to launch in May 2024 with each model retailing for just £340.
Technical Specifications:
- Brand: Seiko
- Model: 5 Sports SNXS Series
- Price: £340
- Material: Stainless steel
- Movement: Calibre 4R36 automatic winding
- Power Reserve: 41 hours
- Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date
- Dial: Beige, black or blue
- Size: 37.4mm wide, 12.5mm tall
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Strap: Three-row link metal bracelet
