Seiko 5 Sports SRPB89 Review & Complete Guide
Seiko is appreciated for making some of the best affordable automatic watches on the market. It is specifically the Seiko 5 and Seiko 5 sports collections that are particularly appreciated by watch enthusiasts as they combine the best of both worlds.
The Seiko 5 sports watches are sporty, robust, durable, automatic, and of course affordable. The fact of the matter is actually that they offer exceptional value for money. This is of course the reason why the Seiko 5 sports are so popular.
The value that the SRPB89 offers become particularly evident when you look at this watch in detail.
Seiko 5 Sports SRPB89 Review
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The name Seiko 5 refers to a collection of Seiko watches that meet five different criteria, which are as follows:
- automatic movement
- day-date display
- water resistance
- recessed crown at the four o’clock position
- a case and bracelet built for durability
The ”sports” in its name simply reveals that this is a sporty timepiece built to last. It is very nice and refreshing to have an affordable automatic watch with a sporty presence and with automatic movement. There are few other manufacturers that offer all of this, and this Is what makes it special.
If you like dive watches, you will love the SRPB89. This watch is built as a sports watch with a dive-watch inspiration which is a really nice combination.
All of the above criteria go into making a watch that offers great value for money. To learn more about what this watch is about, we are reviewing and looking closer at the Seiko 5 Sports SRPB89.
Seiko 5 Sports SRPB89 case
The watch is equipped with a stainless steel case with a diameter of 43mm. Its thickness measures 12mm. Since this is, as the name suggests, a sports watch, the size is very relevant. It is not huge, but still large enough to have somewhat of a sporty presence on the wrist. It is not huge which makes it rather versatile but with a sporty presence.
The case is very simple, clean, and refined. The top is satin-finished whereas the sides are polished. What stands out about this case is that it does not have any crown guards. Instead, the push-pull crown sits freely.
As mentioned, this is not a dive watch, but only a dive-watch-inspired timepiece. With that said, it has a water resistance of 100m/330 feet, which is less than the 200m which is the minimum requirement for a dive watch.
As a dive-inspired watch, it of course features a unidirectional rotating bezel with a bright blue insert which really stands out from the ordinary. Sitting on top of the case, we have Seiko’s Proprietary Hardlex Crystal.
The bezel has a shark teeth edge for better grip and easier operation.
Seiko 5 Sports SRPB89 dial
The watch is equipped with a bright blue with a striking sunburst effect which makes it much more vibrant. Around the outer edge of the dial, it has a silver frame on which the seconds markers are printed in black.
The dial has applied hour markers with polished metal frames and applied Lumibrite for improved legibility in low-lit conditions.
The hands are skeletonized and have Lumibrite applied to them. Just like the hour markers, the hands have polished metal frames.
Positioned at 3 o’clock, it has a date window with a white background and the dates printed in black. This helps with the practicality of this watch and makes it more suitable for everyday wear. This simply means it is more suitable for everyday wear.
Legibility is certainly not an issue with this watch, and it has managed to find a perfect balance between elegance and classiness. Not too much, but not too little.
Seiko 5 Sports SRPB89 movement
Being a Seiko 5 sports watch, it is of course powered by an automatic movement.
The SRPB89 specifically, features the in-house Seiko Caliber 4R35. This is an automatic movement that beats with a frequency of 21600 BPH. The movement has 23 jewels and a power reserve of 41 hours.
The watch has a see-through case back which allows you to see the movement beating inside. It is always a nice thing to be able to see the movement inside, although it is not decorated or finished. Watch enthusiasts will particularly appreciate the see-through case back since, despite not being decorated, it still works as a great reminder of the mechanical piece of craftsmanship beating inside.
But most importantly, as Seiko 5 watches have come to be known for, this is a workhorse movement that will continue to tick for years without needing much or any maintenance.
Seiko 5 Sports SRPB89 bracelet
The watch is presented on a three-link stainless steel bracelet with polished contrasting lines. The bracelet has a folder clasp with a safety release.
It goes very well with the overall design of the watch, but as is common for a watch in this price range, it is not 100% in terms of quality. The bracelet has some rattle and doesn’t feel completely solid. Whilst this is a downside to the overall impression of quality for this watch, it is really what we can expect. The good news is that if you want, you can easily replace it with a NATO or leather strap for a more comfortable and different look.
Specifications
- Lug width: 22mm
- Diameter: 43mm
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Thickness: 12mm
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet/10ATM
- Crown: push-pull
- Movement: Seiko Automatic caliber 4R35
- Jewels: 23
- Frequency: 21600 BPH
- Power reserve: 41 hours
Conclusion
All in all, there are good reasons why the Seiko 5 sports collection is so immensely popular. At an affordable price, you get a sporty timepiece that is well-built, well-finished, and will continue to tick for years thanks to a reliable and sturdy automatic movement.
The SRPB89 really is great value for money in terms of what you are getting. But it is also a versatile and stylish watch that works great for everyday wear. It has a refreshing and bright blue color which gives it a modern and sporty look.
Its classic dive watch-inspired design together with the modern blue, and reliable automatic movement just makes this timepiece a great reliable timepiece.
The Seiko 5 Sports SRPB89 is available to order on Amazon.
