Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55K1 Automatic [Watch Review & Guide]

Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55K1 Automatic [Watch Review & Guide]

The new Seiko 5 sports watch collection is a completely new line of models, released by Seiko in 2019. Since its release, this collection has proven to be a great success. A common project for many Seiko enthusiasts is to modify SKX models from Seiko and make them unique by replacing parts. The introduction of this new Seiko 5 Sports collection also meant the discontinuation of the now almost legendary and appreciated SKX007.

With the new Seiko 5 Sports models, Seiko has really thought about what their fans and customers want in a Seiko sports watch and releasing models that essentially can be seen as ”modified” SKX models.

As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

The new Seiko 5 Sports series definitely offers a vast collection with many color schemes and variations.  With that said the Seiko 5 Sports really is a hit. At an affordable price, you really do get a qualitative automatic watch from Seiko. In this post, we are reviewing one of the models in Seiko’s 5 sports collection – the reference SRPD55K1.

The 5 in ”Seiko 5 Sports” is a qualification from Seiko which means that the watch must have 5 specifications, as follows:

1. Automatic

An automatic watch has a rotor that rotates and generates energy to the mainspring of the watch (in which energy is stored) when you are wearing it. This means that if you wear your Seiko 5 indefinitely, it will never stop ticking, technically speaking of course.

2. Day & Date Display

A Seiko 5 is required to have a day and date display. The Day display may be in different languages. Oftentimes, the day wheel is set up in two different languages, which often include English and a second language. This gives you the option of choosing what type of language you want your day to be displayed in. A date display shows what date of the month it is. With a date wheel with 31 dates, means you manually have to adjust the date yourself when the length of the month only is 30 or 28 days.

3. Water-resistant

The watch must be water-resistant meaning that the watch is tolerant to a certain static pressure underwater. This may vary depending on the model.

4. Diashock

Diashock is Seiko’s own shock-resistant system. This means that the watch is resistant to certain shocks. This is equivalent to Swiss manufacturers Incabloc-standard.

5. Diaflex

Diaflex is Seiko’s own measurement and demand for an unbreakable mainspring. This means that even though the watch may be subject to a great shock, the mainspring will still be usable and keep the watch in, not perhaps perfect, but in working order.

Nearly all Seiko 5 watches meet the ISO standards, and this clearly is a good indication that, although Seiko might be a cheap watch, it is built to last.

In this Seiko 5 Sports review, we will take a closer look at the reference SRPD55K1.

Seiko 5 Sports Automatic SRPD55K1

Movement

SRPD55K1 features the Seiko Caliber 4R36 equipped with 24 jewels. The movement is automatic with both hacking and manual winding feature with a power reserve of approximately 41 hours. The movement beats at 4hz.

This movement has previously been seen in Seiko Turtle models such as the SRP series. The discontinued SKX series which features a 7s26 movement did not have a hacking or manual wind feature, and this is a major upgrade to the new Seiko 5 Sports series.

As with all Seiko 5 watches, the SRPD55K1 has a see-through case back that allows you to see the movement, which is of course always a nice feature for mechanical watches. The watch isn’t a Milgauss or Railmaster in terms of anti-magnetism, but it does offer a class 2 anti-magnetism, meaning it can resist magnetism from gadgets such as computers or phones, with a proximity of 5 centimeters.

Dial

The dial is matte black with a date and day window positioned at the 3 o’clock position. The watch has applied markers filled with Seiko’s own luminous material Lumibrite. At 12 o’clock, there is a triangle marker, and oval markers at 6 and 9 o’clock. The markers have a polished metal ring around them. The dial also has the new Seiko 5 logo which is slightly turned and looks like an S for Seiko and a 5 which together makes ”Seiko 5”. The dial is very clean and minimalistic and does not really have a lot of text. Simply the new ”Seiko 5” logo and the text ”automatic” and ”Seiko” printed on the dial in white.

Chapter ring

The chapter ring is the same color and is treated the same way as the dial. It has white hash marks which mark every minute.

The hands

The hands are very similar to the previous SKX007 with polished steel on the minute and hour hand filled with Lumibrite, and a second hand which has a small spot of Lumibrite that looks like a small dot when glowing in the dark. The hands create a very clear contrast against the black dial and offer great legibility.

Bezel

The bezel is made out of steel and is polished.  It has a matte black aluminum insert with white markings. Just like normal Seikos, the 20 minutes are more clearly marked with not only just  5-10-15-20 markings but also every minute in the form of dots.

Case

The case is made out of steel with brushed lugs and polished bevels on every lug with polished sides. The case has a see-through case back which makes it possible to see the movement in action. It is a screw case back and with a crown positioned a Seiko’s standard 4 o’clock position

• Thickness: 13.4MM
• Diameter: 42.5MM
• Length: 46MM

The watch is equipped with a Hardlex crystal (no, that is not sapphire crystal). With that said, it isn’t as hard as sapphire, but at the same time, it won’t acquire scratches as acrylic glass does. It will primarily get scratches if it is hit with harder objects.

Bracelet

The watch is fitted on a stainless steel oyster-style 3-link bracelet with a brushed satin finish. The sides of the links are polished and have a width of 22MM including the end links. The clasp has a folding clasp with a safety lock. As standard with Seiko’s bracelet the links are held together with friction pins.

Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55K1 specifications