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Round-UpFive Reasons Why The Seiko 5 Sports Should Be Your First ‘Proper’ Watch

The newly introduced Seiko 5 Sports line delivers a lot of watch for the price you pay. Here are five reasons why it’s perfect as anyone’s first ‘proper’ watch in the horological game

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The world was introduced to the Seiko 5 Sports way back in 1968. And since then, like clockwork, it has gently nudged its unassuming customers into a perpetual tumble down the never-ending slope of collecting watches. That is probably the highest possible compliment a watch could receive. A majority of people spend their lives unbothered about the watch they wear. “It must tell the time,” they say, and jump from a quartz watch to a slightly more expensive quartz watch every now and then. Now just to be clear, there’s nothing wrong with owning or liking a quartz watch. However, we believe, it lacks a certain romance that only mechanical watches bring to the table. It usually starts off with a little online research over why some watches are so darn expensive. One webpage leads to another, and before you know it, the mechanical watch bug has bitten you too! This is where Seiko’s critically acclaimed offering comes into the picture—to introduce the aforementioned bug into your life and ensure that it does indeed bite you.

5 Sports
Seiko has re-launched the beloved 5 Sports collection aimed at the younger generation, and especially those who are looking for their first ‘proper’ watch

Here’s a fun tidbit: the ‘5’ in 5 Sports is more than just a simple numeral—it represents the five core pillars of the entry-level 5 Sports collection: an automatic movement, a day-date display, adequate water resistance, a crown at four o’clock, and a case and bracelet built for durability. Considering how important the number five is to this line, here are five reasons why this should be your first ‘proper’ watch.

The Watch Guide
With five different categories—Sports, Suits, Specialist, Street and Sense—and 27 different references in total, Seiko has essentially spoiled us for choice with the new line of watches

You can go through the entire collection here

01. A Reliable In-House Movement

If you’re on the lookout for your first good watch, it’s safe to assume that the yearning for a mechanical movement is taking over. While a quartz calibre is unmistakably more precise, enthusiasts will always prefer the elegance, technicality and the romance of a mechanical movement. What we have here, to satisfy the said yearning, is a bonafide in-house movement from Seiko—the automatic calibre 4R36. Now there’s nothing particularly extraordinary about this movement. It is simply a tried-and-tested workhorse from the brand’s stable that beats at 3Hz and provides a standard 41-hour power reserve. What’s important here, especially for newcomers to the world of horology, is the exhibition caseback through which you can see the inner workings of this movement. You’d be hard-pressed not to unbuckle the watch every now and then, as you try and understand the mechanical workings of this automatic movement, and ultimately end up appreciating the intricate craftsmanship and the finishing on the mechanism’s components. 

The Watch Guide

The entire Seiko 5 Sports line uses a bonafide in-house movement from Seiko—the automatic calibre 4R36

The Watch Guide

The calibre 4R36 is a tried-and-tested workhorse from the brand’s stable that beats at 3Hz and provides a standard 41-hour power reserve

02. Rough, Tough, More Than Enough

There’s a term given to watches that can be worn without the fear of scratching, denting, wetting, or losing them, within the watch collectors’ world. It’s called a ‘beater watch’, and this Seiko and its predecessor, the SKX, are widely used as one of them, owing to their rugged shells and durable movements. But here’s the thing: all the characteristics that make it a good beater watch also make it an excellent first watch. Because, let’s be honest, humans can be really clumsy. As a newcomer, you wouldn’t want a mini-heart attack every time your hand banged against a wall or a table. Lucky for us, the stainless steel construction of the 5 Sports is built to last and undergoes some strenuous tests before it leaves the factory. The watch also uses Hardlex crystal, Seiko’s nomenclature for its mineral-based clear glass. While it is supposed to be shatter-resistant, on the off chance it does break by accident, it wouldn’t cost a bomb to replace it, unlike sapphire crystal generally used in luxury timepieces. 

The Watch Guide

The stainless steel construction of the 5 Sports is built to last and undergoes several strenuous tests before it leaves the factory

The Watch Guide

Measuring 42.5mm in diameter, the stainless steel case of the Seiko 5 Sports is essentially the same as the SKX, its predecessor, minus the luminous pip on the bezel at 12 o'clock

The Watch Guide

The automatic movement also features a day-date display at three o'clock, which is practical and handy

Seiko has cut down the new collection’s water resistance from 200m to 100m to save costs by opting out of a screw-down crown. And this caused an uproar on the internet. Some even went to the lengths of saying that it’s not a diver’s watch anymore. While people are entitled to their opinions, the fact remains that few buyers of diver’s watches are actual divers. And the people who do dive deep don’t use mechanical watches, they use dive computers. So it seems perfectly logical to cut costs and save money on features you’re never really going to need. That’s not to say that the 100m water resistance is useless. It is still suitable for surfing, swimming, snorkelling, sailing and water sports.

03. Looks Good, Wears Even Better

With five different categories—Sports, Suits, Specialist, Street and Sense—and 27 different references in total, Seiko has essentially spoiled us for choice with the new line of watches. All of the 27 references feature some common characteristics, such as the 42.5mm case size and material, the glass, along with the movement. That aside, Seiko has given us options ranging from textured dials and mesh bracelets to NATO straps and gold PVD-treated cases for those who like that extra shine. With the amount of personalisation that has gone into each reference, there really is something for everyone. But if you want something more, that’s where the constantly-growing trend of ‘modding’ (or modification) comes into play. Seiko watches are mass-produced and there are very few limited editions, which makes it likely that you’ll soon feel the need to distinguish yourself from other collectors and their Seikos. And the best way to up your wrist game is to modify what you put on it. Seiko watches are the most widely modified timepieces mainly due to their movements and rugged cases, which are often the only constants in the exercise. Everything else, from the hands and the bezel to the dial itself, can be swapped out for customised alternatives from third-party suppliers. The trend hasn’t picked up in India yet, but considering the number of 5 Sports I spot on wrists every day, this is sure to change.

The Watch Guide

This simple, deep blue 5 Sports, with a stainless steel bracelet is the most polished one in the collection and should be your choice if you want an all-rounder watch

The Watch Guide

With the amount of personalisation that Seiko has put into each reference, there’s something for everyone

04. God Is In The Details

The Japanese are widely known for their meticulous attention to detail. And this quality trickles down to each and every Seiko timepiece, including the 5 Sports. If you look closely at the dial, the astonishing details present themselves to you—such as the steel lining of the easy-to-read hands and bold hour markers, both covered generously with LumiBrite, which can either be green or blue depending on the model. A raised, angled seconds track can be found on the periphery of the dial, which adds another level of visual depth. All of these details are deeply impressive when you consider the entry-level pricing of these watches. And it is this fastidious attention to detail like this that makes a new user fall in love with their timepieces.

The Watch Guide
The Japanese are widely known for their meticulous attention to detail. And this quality trickles down to each and every Seiko timepiece, including the 5 Sports

05. The Ultimate Value Proposition

Seiko, a brand with an undisputed pedigree, has priced the in-house manufactured 5 Sports models from INR 19,500 onwards. And honestly, that’s preposterously low for all that it offers. The 5 Sports can easily compete with watches thrice its price when it comes to quality, craftsmanship and reliability. For more than 50 years, this line has represented the ultimate value proposition through its five core pillars and affordable price tag. And we’re happy to report that it continues to do so with these newer models, making it the perfect first ‘proper’ watch for you lot out there.

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2 comments
  • Aditya Sharma April 3, 2020 at 1:03 pm

    Update me With Great Discount Watches

    • Ranvijaysinh Jhala April 18, 2020 at 5:18 pm

      Hello Aditya,

      Thank you for your comment. You can sign up for communication on all of Ethos’ special offers, discounts and sales, by scrolling down to the end of the page on https://www.ethoswatches.com/, and subscribing to the Ethos newsletter. For your information, we have plenty of special offers for you, as you stay safe and shop from home on EthosWatches.com.
      For any other help, suggestions, and information on availability and prices, you can call our luxury watch helpline and speak to one of our consultants. The numbers are +91 8725028882 or 8725016301, and the helpline is open between 11:00am and 6:00pm, Monday to Saturday.

      Thank you for reading!
      The Watch Guide

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