Seiko 5 Sports Field GMT SSK023K1 (similar to SSK025K1) - A Great Value GMT Watch that Exceeds its Price Point, A Review (plus Video)

GMT is the new buzzword for Seiko. For the last couple of years, Seiko has been introducing many new models with GMT functionality. In the collection, for the last two years, I have added the SSK003K1 and the SBGM247G and today, I would like to introduce to you the SSK023K1.

When this watch was highlighted on Seiko's website at the end of 2023, I was immediately drawn to the design. The genre, size and the functionality all fit into a watch design that is practical, comfortable and handsome. Thankfully the 2-watch series (for regions other than Japan, 3-watch series in Japan) does not have a limited edition option and therefore sourcing should not be a problem. 

 

A few weeks after the official launch, stocks of the series were made available to the local ADs in Kuala Lumpur. After conferring with my favorite AD, I brought home an SSK023K1 for the collection.

 

The Series

 

If you are located outside of Japan, there are two models in the series. If you are in Japan, there are three models in the series. For outside Japan, you will be able to find the SSK023K1, stainless steel with bracelet and the SSK025K1, stainless steel with black coating and leather NATO strap. The SSK023K1 has a MSRP of RM2,100 while the SSK025K1 has a MSRP of RM1,900.

SSK023K1

SSK025K1

If you are in Japan, the references for the two models are different. The SSK023K1 is referred to as the SBSC011 (MSRP: YEN59,400) and the SSK025K1 is referred to as the SBSC011 (MSRP: YEN55,000). Uniquely, there is a third model, the SBSC009.

 

SBSC009 (MSRP: YEN59,400)

  

All Japanese version has a notation on the dial, 'MADE IN JAPAN' which is not found on the SSK reference models.

I personally like the white dial version. Pity Seiko decided to limit the design to Japan only.

The Watch

Made out of stainless steel, it has some resemblance to the Rolex Explorer II. This is actually not a bad thing as the design is sound and very practical. With a diameter of 39.4 mm and a lug-to-lug length of 47.9 mm, this watch should be comfortable for the majority of people. The curved Hardlex crystal coupled with the need to provide additional space for the fourth hand for the GMT function does contribute to the height of the watch which stood at 13.6 mm tall.

The dial is black matte and is surrounded by a straight walled chapter ring, polished to a mirror-finish. There are three timing scales. The furthest away from the center are the minute scale with white lines for the minutes and square applied markers with LumiBrite paint for each 5th-minute (at 12:00 the applied marker is triangle). The next is the hour marker with applied Arabic numerals, also painted with LumiBrite. The final scale is the 13-24 painted hour markers. 

THE IMAGE BELOW IS THE LINK TO MY AFFILIATE STORE

There are five rows of texts and logo. The applied brand and logo are located at the upper quadrant while the words "Automatic", "GMT" as well as some production codes are located at the lower quadrant. All the painted words and logo are in white except for the word "GMT" which is in red.

At 3:00 is a date aperture that replaces the number "3". The aperture is framed in metal and white paint at the edges. Due to the negatively printed date wheel used, the break in symmetry is not that obvious.

The hours and minutes hand is relatively large, ensuring legibility. These hands are painted with LumiBrite paint. The seconds hand has it tip painted with LumiBrite paint as well as framed in red. Finally, the GMT hand is painted in bright red to differentiate from the other hands. It too has LumiBrite paint to allow it to be observed in low light conditions.

The bezel is fixed and brushed with a cool radial effect. It is engraved with a 24-hour scale, filled in with black paint. The bezel frames a highly curved Hardlex crystal. Based on the image above, the Hardlex crystal did not get any AR protection.

The crown in wide yet unsigned. It utilises the push-in/pull-out system to engage the movement.

The watch has a screw-down case-back with a display window. Via the window one can see the Calibre 4R34, an entry-level in-house automatic movement with 24 jewels, operating at a frequency of 21,600 BPH, having a 41 hours power reserve and a stop-seconds mechanism. This movement also has the GMT and date complications.

Do note that Seiko uses a so-called office or caller function and not a traveller or flyer type. This office-caller GMT function allows you to independently set the 24-hour hand with the crown in one-hour increments.

The construction of the watch limits its water-resistance to 100 meters, more than sufficient for this sports watch. 

The SSK023K1 is worn on a new 5-link stainless steel bracelet with a brushed finish. The clasp has the push button release with sight safety catch. An additional four micro-adjustment points are provided to facilitate resizing. The bracelet is 22 mm wide which conforms to the lugs. The are pass-through lug holes for ease of replacing the bracelet. 

 

The Wearing Experience

The SSK023K1is one of new designs by Seiko in recent years that is truly refreshing. The size, shape and functionality is very conducive as a perfect go-to-watch for everyday use. It has that elegant look that inflates its actual price point many times. Even the new 5-link stainless steel bracelet looks expensive. Below is a video of the watch on my wrist.

 

Specifications

Reference: SSK023K1
Case Material: Stainless steel, brushed (black hard-coating on the SSK025)
Case Diameter: 39.4 mm
Case Height: 13.6 mm
Lug-to-Lug Length: 47.9 mm
Lug Width: 20.0 mm
Crystal: Curved Hardlex 
Bezel: Fixed, radially-brushed with engraved, black-filled (SSK025K1: grey-filled) 24-hour scale
Dial: Black matte, slightly textured
Markers: Raised numerals and LumiBrite-filled hour markers - additional 13-24 hour scale
Hands: Brushed metal hours/minute hands, filled with LumiBrite; red-toned & LumiBrite-filled seconds and GMT hands
Aperture: Framed date window at 3:00
Water Resistance: 100 m
Case-Back: See-through screwed case-back
Crown System: Push/pull
Weight: 147.0 gm
Movement: Caliber 4R34, in-house automatic
Jewels: 24
Frequency: 21,600 BPH
Power Reserve: 41 hours
Magnetic Resistance: 4,800 A/m
Complications: 3-hands, date, office-caller GMT function
Bracelet: 5-link brushed stainless steel bracelet, three-fold clasp with secure lock (SSK025: black leather NATO-style strap with blackened hardware)
Availability: January 2024, standard production
MSRP: RM2,100
Purchase Date: 11 January 2024
Purchase Price: RM1,575
Vendor: AWG, Mid Valley
Warranty: One (1) year
Serial Number: 3O7396 (=manufactured in October 2023, unit 7396)

 

Photo Gallery

THE IMAGE BELOW IS THE LINK TO MY AFFILIATE STORE