Seiko 5 SRPD71K1 Review & Complete Guide

Seiko 5 SRPD71K1 Review & Complete Guide

If you are looking for a high-quality affordable automatic sports watch, Seiko is definitely a brand whose watches you should consider.

The Seiko 5 collection, in particular, is a popular lineup of watches from Seiko which is appreciated all around the world for the exceptional value they offer thanks to its finish and build quality, in relation to its price.

In 2019, Seiko discontinued its legendary SKX. This was of course a big move for Seiko to discontinue an icon and a loved timepiece. But shortly thereafter, Seiko presented a new lineup of watches to replace it. One of these models was the Seiko 5 SRPD71K1. And this is exactly the watch we are going to look closer at in this article.

Seiko 5 SRPD71K1 Review

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The Seiko 5 SRPD71K1 stays true to the iconic SKX in terms of design. After all, why change a winning concept? Seiko has only refined and improved upon it to make it more qualitative and long-lasting.

In terms of design, it retains its classic dive-watch-inspired design and sporty appeal. The dial layout is mostly the same, but it also has a refreshing look with a vibrant sunburst blue dial.

The quality is exactly what you expect from a Seiko 5, but despite this, the price is very attractive.

Without further ado, in this article, we are reviewing the Seiko 5 SRPD71K1 and looking closer at what this timepiece has to offer.

Seiko 5 SRPD71K1 case

The watch is equipped with a stainless steel case with a diameter of 42.5mm. The thickness measures 13.4 mm. This is a well-balanced case that has a sporty presence on the wrist but is by no means too large or thick to feel huge on the wrist. Many men with medium to large wrists find this size perfect.

Seiko has done a great job with the finishing of the case despite its affordable price. 

The signature design feature of this case which makes it iconic is its crown position at 4 o’clock. The crown sits protected between crown guards which extend from the case and add to the sporty look.

The crown, unlike the SKX, is a push-pull and not a screw-down, which naturally affects its water resistance.

Have in mind that this is not a dive watch, but rather a sports watch with a dive-inspired design. This of course means it is equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel. The bezel is made of steel and has notches around it for improved grip. The bezel has a blue aluminum insert which goes very well together with the blue dial. The minutes markings are printed in silver.

The watch has a water resistance of 100m/330 feet which makes it suitable for swimming and showering, but not deep diving.

The top of the case has a brushed finish, and the sides of the case are polished for contrast. This really enhances the impression of the quality and finish of this timepiece. Sitting on top of the case, it uses, not unsurprisingly, Seiko’s proprietary Hardlex crystal.

SRPD71K1 dial

The SRPD71K1 has a striking sunburst blue dial which, thanks to its finish reflects the light beautifully and changes appearance depending on how the light hits it.

As mentioned, the dial layout is essentially the same as the SKX, which means it will feel very familiar if you have previously worn the SKX, or simply enjoy the SKX design.

This means applied hour markers with brushed metal frames around them, filled with Lumibrite for improved legibility in the dark. The hour hand is short and has a pointy tip, whilst the minute hand has a broad arrow tip. These are of course executed in the same way as the hour markers.

Positioned at 3 o’clock, we find the iconic day and date window which is a signature trait in the Seiko 5s. This is a practical function that can come in handy for everyday wear. Some may dislike it as it has a slightly negative impact on the symmetry of the dial, but by now, it’s such an iconic feature that we can’t see a Seiko 5 without it. For added warmth, the Lumibrite has a slight cream color. 

For contrast, the chapter ring around the dial is white and has the seconds markers printed in black. This creates a nice and appealing contrast against the blue dial and provides some depth since it is angled. The seconds hand has a red tip which is a subtle yet important feature for added sportiness.

With the above-mentioned, the legibility of this watch is great.

SRPD71K1 movement

Inside the watch beats the in-house Seiko caliber 4R36. This is an automatic movement beating at a frequency of 21600 BPH. The movement has proven to be a reliable and durable workhorse that can continue to tick for years without needing maintenance or service.

The movement is not the most accurate, but at this price, we are content with just having the great durability that Seiko’s automatic movements offer. 

Another great feature of this watch is that it is equipped with a see-through case back. This allows you to see the movement in action so you can appreciate the mechanical craftsmanship that watch nerds and enthusiasts love about mechanical watches.

The upgrade of the movement from the predecessor also includes hacking seconds and manual winding functions.

Bracelet

The watch is presented on a stainless steel mesh bracelet which looks really great with the overall design of the watch.

The mesh bracelet looks modern and fresh, and at the same time, robust and sporty. Unlike the regular three-link Oyster-style bracelet which comes on the SKX and many other Seiko watches, this mesh bracelet feels more robust and solid, and therefore gives a better impression of quality, so from that standpoint, the change of the bracelet is a great thing.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 100M/330 feet
• Diameter: 42.5mm
• Thickness: 13.4 mm
• Movement: Seiko in-house automatic caliber 4R36
• Bracelet: Stainless steel mesh
• Dial: blue sunburst
• Crystal: Hardlex
• Power reserve: 41 hours
• Jewels: 24 Jewels
• Frequency: 21600 BPH

Conclusion

All in all, the Seiko 5 SRPD71K1 is, as we have come to expect from Seiko, a watch that offers great value for money.

The finishing is great, and so is the build quality. Inside beats a durable and robust automatic workhorse movement that can continue to tick for years.

The watch has a sporty appeal to it and a fresh touch of blue which makes adds to the sportiness but also makes it perfect as an everyday watch. Despite its sporty design, it makes for a great everyday timepiece.

For the price, you get a classic and well-built watch with an iconic design, made by one of the most well-known watchmakers in the world. Sounds like a pretty good value proposition, don’t you think?

The Seiko 5 SRPD71K1 is available to order on Amazon.