Watch sizing can only be generally carried out on watches with metal bracelets, steel, titanium, gold, etc. Finally, summer is the time when we can be a bit bolder with our clothes. Bright colours are much more accepted, and casual attire is the way to go; I want a watch that reflects this, with a hint of colour, a relaxed look, and a slight sporty style. And in this vein, a steel bracelet is some sort of a must for me, as I don’t really enjoy rubber straps.

The mechanism used is an in-house-built 4R34 automatic movement and manual winding. This calibre movement has 24 Jewels and a 41-hour power reserve. The Seiko 5 collection was entirely revamped in 2019 with the launch of the Seiko 5 Sports Collection. And looking at these initial watches, there is another watch that needs to be mentioned, the legendary SKX007, the accessible dive watch personified. A great, inexpensive yet high-performance watch for recreational diving, the SKX007 has been a hit for the brand, yet it was discontinued in mid-2019, mostly because Seiko wanted to stop the production of the 7S series of movement, to be replaced by the 4R series. The SKX007, the definitive accessible dive watch… We are also able to offer an exchange to a different product if required, please specify this when returning your product.The handset is nothing new except for the…new hand. The GMT hand is red and the tip looks like a larger version of the minute hand. The way it contrasts with the dial will leave no question as to what hand you are looking at.

In addition to the international convenience of the GMT function, the watches also feature a rotating bezel that is in two colors to separate the night and day hours at a glance. With all of the above requirements in mind, I can hardly find a better answer than the Seiko 5 Sports Style GMT… It does everything perfectly, with style and quality, at a good price. And not only do I recommend this watch to newcomers (men and women) but also to far more experienced watch enthusiasts. It’s not a problem of price anymore; it’s just that this Seiko really does everything you’ll ever need. Without mentioning the fact that it has a truly versatile case that will look perfect with basically any kind of strap: NATO, Perlon, two-piece fabric, tropic… The game is on. These watches are typical strap monsters, believe me. And if the Jubillee-style bracelet isn’t your thing, you can also use the 3-link Oyster-style of the other Seiko 5 watches.I don’t know about you, but to be honest, I think I just found my new perfect summer watch. There are many other options to consider, of course. But not many can combine such a level of coolness, quality-price ratio, and practicality. I’ll let you decide whether you agree or not, but my choice is made! The new Seiko 5 Sports Style GMT series rely on the Seiko Calibre 4R34, based on the trusted 4R platform. This runs at a frequency of 21,600vph and offers 41 hours of running time. Next to being wound by the rotor, it is possible to wind it by hand through the crown. The movement has a basic level of finishing, which is what you can expect at this price point. Finally, and rather understandably in such a price range, the new Calibre 4R34 isn’t a true traveller’s watch, like this Grand Seiko or a Rolex GMT-Master II, where the second position of the crown allows one-hour jumps of the local time. Here, the GMT function acts like an ETA 2893, where the second position of the crown independently set the 24h GMT hand. The bezel’s ring indicator is made of Seiko’s Hardlex glass to deliver the high level of durability for which the Seiko 5 Sports collection is renowned. Regarding prices and availability, the Seiko 5 Sports Style GMT SSK001K1, SSK003K1 and SSK005K1 are launched as part of the permanent collection (not limited) and will be available from July 2022. The price is EUR 470, which seems high compared to the rest of the Seiko 5 Sports collection (starting at EUR 260), but considering the additional GMT complication, the new rotating bezel with Hardlex insert and the Jubilee bracelet, it actually remains a fairly (to say the least) priced watch. After all, it’s a fully in-house-produced watch, from a respected watchmaker, with many, many features and a quality that is almost unbeatable. Why it’s the best summer watch now available Just like the time of day hands and indexes, the GMT hand has a generous layer of Lumibrite to ensure legibility in low light conditions.

The design of the case and dial draws inspiration from one of Seiko’s best-loved sports watches, known to enthusiasts as the Seiko SKX series. The bi-colour 24-hour bezel is coated in Hardlex, to ensure durability while the GMT hand improves practicality, visibility and legibility. The ‘beads of rice’ bracelet remains true to the SKX heritage with a ‘five-piece link’ design that forms a series of small X-shaped patterns.

The Watch

If you’ve read one Seiko review that mentions LumiBrite, you’ve read it all and I don’t need to tell you how good the lume is. I will tell you where the lume is…or isn’t. The bezel is not lumed, just the hands and dial. This is to be expected from the Seiko 5 line. When I was taking photos of the two watches, I noticed that the SSK001 actually sits a touch lower than the SKX…just a touch, barely enough to mention it. But, I’m mentioning it. I’m only throwing this section in because I’m sure the modders out there will want to know if the watches are similar enough that parts are interchangeable between the two. I’ll leave the 100% true answer to that to the professional modding companies to determine, but I’d say get your wallets ready. Final Thoughts If you require an extra large bracelet or you are in need of additional links these may be supplied at an additional cost.

I’m sure there are going to be some people upset with this watch for some reason or another, but I can’t think of any reasons to dislike this watch. The SKX’s case is a classic for a reason and I don’t blame Seiko for using it in every way possible. If you want a GMT that is affordable and simply a great watch, this is the way. The first ever wristwatch was designed by a prominent Genevan-Polish duo for the Countess Koscowicz in the 1860s. Handcrafted from gold and rare gems, it was just as much an accessory as it was functional. And this sentiment has returned. In the age of mobile phones and fitness bands, wristwatches have moved from being practical to being largely accessories again, just as they were a long time ago. The 5 Sports (SSK001K1) is an analogue automatic wristwatch. These types of automatic timepieces gained popularity among pilots during The Great War, as the hands-free winding mechanism allowed for greater accuracy and convenience in challenging environments. Is It Safe Around Water? Seiko Watch 5 Sports GMT SKX Re-Interpretation SSK001K1. First released in the 90s, the SKX Seiko 5 Sports watches were a modernised version of the classics – updating the reliability and durability of the 1960s originals. The 90s collection offered improved practicality – enhanced water resistance, strengthened crystals along with luminous hands and hour markers. These wearable, loveable values still stay strong in today’s modernised Seiko 5 Sports designs.

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The bi-colour 24-hour bezel is coated in Hardlex, to ensure durability while the GMT hand improves practicality, visibility and legibility. The ‘beads of rice’ jubilee bracelet remains true to the SKX heritage with a ‘five-piece link’ design that forms a series of small X-shaped patterns.