This is one watch that I nearly didn't get. The SRPK17 is part of the 55th anniversary celebration by Seiko to celebrate the launch of the iconic Seiko 5 Sports line back in 1968. Throughout 2023, there were a number of limited edition launched. Due to the frequency of releases under the 55th anniversary celebration, the SRPK17 slipped my radar screen for many months despite it being made available since July 2023.In honesty, I wasn't paying much attention to any of the 55th Anniversary models by Seiko 5 Sports. Throughout 2023, I was focused on acquiring higher value timepieces such as from Tudor, Cartier, Rado and Omega. It was only at the end of 2023, after reading up on major news of year that I stumbled on the year-long celebration by Seiko 5 Sports. After going through the multiple releases, one model stood out, the SRPK17.
I went to one store which has the model in stock but no store discount was given. I turned to by trusty dealer and he got me one after sourcing from another branch with store discount too!
The 55th Anniversary Limited Edition Releases
Seiko went all out to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Seiko 5 Sports line. Throughout 2023, there were eight (8) different releases staggered for different months to commemorate the event. Below are short descriptions of the eight releases for the event.
Release 1 - Available from January 2023
Seiko 5 Sports 55th anniversary Ultraseven Limited Edition. This is a collaboration with Ultraseven, a science fiction television series which also celebrate its first broadcast. The colouring and design evoke the Ultra Guard that appears in the series. This anniversary model has "TDF-UG" printed on the dial which represent The Defense Force Ultra Guard of the series. The SRPJ79 is a limited edition timepiece of 3,400 units.
Release 2 - Available from March 2023
Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Customize Campaign Limited Edition. This is a series with four models that received many "likes" in the 2022 "Show Your Love for Seiko 5 Sports Customize your watch" campaign. Based on voting by fans, these models (from L to R) SRPK03, SRPK05, SRPK07 and SRPK08 are limited edition models of 1,968 units each.
Release 3 - Available from March 2023
Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary COIN PARKING DELIVERY Limited Edition. This is a collaboration with internationally renowned artist COIN PARKING DELIVERY. The SRPK02 is a limited edition timepiece of 1,500 units.
Release 4 - Available from April 2023
Seiko 5 Sports 55th anniversary Masked Rider Limited Edition. As part of the celebration, Seiko 5 Sports has collaborated with Masked Rider, a television program that has captivated audiences since its first broadcast in 1971. The SRPJ91 is a limited edition timepiece of 4,000 units.
Release 5 - Available from April 2023
Seiko 5 Sports 55th anniversary PEANUTS Limited Edition. This is in collaboration with PEANUTS, the internationally beloved comic series that first appeared in 1950. There are two models under this collaboration; (from L to R) the SRPK25 and SRPK27. The former is a limited edition model of 8,900 units while the latter is a limited edition model of 6,500 units.
Release 6 - Available from July 2023
Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Limited Edition Re-creation of the first Seiko 5 Sports watch. This model re-creates the first Seiko 5 Sports watch from 1968. The SRPK17 is a limited edition model of 15,555 units.
Release 7 - Available from September 2023
Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Super Cub Limited Edition. This sub-series is inspired by the Super Cub, one of the world’s most-produced motorcycles of all time by Honda. These special limited-edition watches express the first-generation Super Cub’s design from 1958. These models are officially a licensed product of Honda. There are three models under this sub-series, (from L to R), SRPJ37, SRPJ75 and SRPJ49.
All three are limited editions (from L to R) of 7,500 units; 5,000 units; and 6,000 units, respectively.
Release 8 - Available from October 2023
Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Bruce Lee Limited Edition. This is a collaboration honouring Bruce Lee, who wore Seiko 5 Sports during his lifetime. The SRPK37 is a limited edition of 15,000 units.
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The Watch
To put the historical timeline in perspective, Seiko was established in 1881. The sub-line Seiko 5 collection was introduced in 1963 and in 1968, the more robust Seiko 5 Sports appeared. Back in 2015, I got the 50th Anniversary SSA171J1 "Unicorn" to commemorate the 1963 event (this watch was officially launched in 2013; I was lucky to be able to get a new piece two years later). Now I got the opportunity to get the new SPRK17 to commemorate the 1968 event (I realised that I only got this watch months after it was launched! So lucky).
Made out of stainless steel, the case shape is very similar to the one introduced in 1968, the reference 6106-8120 (see an excerpt from the Seiko Watch Catalogue 1968 No.2 below). With a diameter of 39.5 mm and a
height of 12.5 mm it hugs the wrist well. With an overall lug-to-lug length of 43.1 mm, it is easy to wear for practically everyone. It still
has that iconic tonneau-shaped or cushion-shaped design with shrouded lugs, a
bidirectional bezel and a hidden crown. Coupled with the half-moon scallops at 12:00 and 6:00, the SRPK17 is rather handsome timepiece in my opinion.
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| Excerpt from the Seiko Watch Catalogue 1968 No.2 |
The chapter ring is a polished wall while the dial is matte black and both are similar to the original Seiko 5 Sports from 1968. The hour indices are applied and coated with LumiBrite paint. All the hour markers are on a silver minute track. These are very similar to the 1968 version. The watch also comes with faceted hour and minute hands and a red lollipop central seconds hand. At 3:00 is a faceted frame around the day-date window that is very refreshing when most date-date aperture on other models are just rectangular cuts on the dial.
THE IMAGE BELOW IS THE LINK TO MY AFFILIATE STORE
There are seven lines of texts and logo on the dial. The brand and the Seiko 5 logo that are on the upper quadrant are in silver and uses the old font and original logo found on the 1968 model. On the lower quadrant, the texts ‘SPORTS’ in blue, with ‘AUTOMATIC', '24 JEWELS' and '10 BAR' are printed in silver. The seventh line are production codes in very small font in silver on the inner side of the silver minute track.
Before I continue describing the physical attributes of the watch, I would like to talk about the deference references and the production of the watch. In Japan, the watch has a reference SBSA223 while the rest of the world has the reference SRPK17. The SBSA223 has a 'MADE IN JAPAN' notation on the dial (see below) and the day wheel has English and Kanji alternatives. The model I have does not indicate the country of origin and the day wheel has English and French alternatives. Nonetheless, for this new model, the sum of both SRPK17 and SBSA223 will be the stated total of 15,555. What I don't know is the ratio between the two.
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| From the internet |
The dial is protected by a slightly curved Hardlex crystal that has a beveled edge to it. The curvature can be seen from the photo below.
The coin-edge bi-directional bezel has aluminum inserts with numerals and line markers. At 12:00, Seiko added a lumed pip on the bezel insert.
At 4:00 on the casing is the location for the crown. The crown is sterile and sunken into the casing when not in used. Due to the small size of the crown, when sunken into the casing, it is difficult to turn it to manually wind the watch. Do note that the crown uses a simple, pull-out/push-in system to engage the adjustment gears for the day, date and timing functions.
The lugs are short. Typically called zero-length lugs, the 20.0 mm lugs extends not
horizontally outwards but vertically downwards. The pass-through lugs
holes allow one to easily replace out the bracelet for
a strap. Although it helps reduced the overall length of the watch,
there are some complications that one needs to know if you want to do a
strap replacement. The problem is the angle of the spring-bars relative
to the watch casing. Any strap with thick end-links or strap-loop will
have a problem fitting into the confine space. Even putting a NATO strap
could be an issue due to the angle. Although it limits the choices a
bit, there are a still a lot of choices available.
The standard bracelet that came with the watch is either a hit or a miss for most people. The bracelet is a short flat link design (generally called a Bandoleer bracelet construction) that is similar to the original. Nonetheless, this design is more modern as the links are solid construction instead of folded metal (of the original). Due to the rectangular shape of the links and lack of space between the pieces, the bracelet is not as flexible when compared to other stainless steel bracelet issued by Seiko before. Those with smaller wrists may find the bracelet not being able to cope with the curvature needed to wrap itself around the wrist. From what I can gather from reviews of this watch, a number of owners have ditched the standard bracelet and replaced it with something else.
The signed clasp has a simple push button locking system and only two micro-adjustment points. This is not an issue as the all the links are effectively half-links in size which should facilitate good fitting. I don't find this standard bracelet bad at all. 
The solid screw-down case-back plate has the traditional design that was first released in the original Seiko 5 back in 1968. Underneath it is the current workhorse of Seiko, the 4R36 in-house automatic with seconds hand stop function.
The whole construction is designed with 100 meter of water resistance.
Like all Seiko 5s, the illumination on the dial is bright. Below is a snapshot of the watch in the dark.
The Wearing Experience
The bracelet has been a divisive issue amongst watch enthusiasts. I happened to be in the camp of - "this bracelet is not a problem" - as explained earlier. To fit the bill as an anniversary limited edition timepiece, it is correct for Seiko to look at the original and try to replicate as much as possible but using the latest materials and technology to keep the essence as intact as feasible.
The sizing is perfect for me and the whole watch looks the part on my wrist.
I will take this opportunity to talk about watch was boxed or packaged. As this is an anniversary watch, the watch-box is designed to look like the original box back in 1968. I actually just found out that Seiko 5 Sports used to come in a red box an has a simple number-5-on-a-shield logo. Keeping to the original even for the box is highly appreciated.
Specifications
THE IMAGE BELOW IS THE LINK TO MY AFFILIATE STORE
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