Borna Boschunjak
If the watch is awarded a nickname, you can be sure it is collectible. Pepsi, Nina Lind, Willard, Turtle… But have you heard of Genetic Krantz? Among the many nickname-worthy Seikos, Jean Krantz doesn’t pop up as often, but its unusual origins are worth exploring. Seiko 5 Sports Diver Ref. 6119-8460, its white variant, was worn by the nicknamed Apollo 13 flight director in five recognizable Seiko cases, with a two-way count-up bezel and 70 meters water resistance. And now, it’s back as Seiko revived this deep reference from the late 1960s as the Seiko 5 Sports SRPL91 and SRPL93. Can I call him a junior junior?
Dial
There is one detail that avid Seiko fans will notice immediately when they look at the dial. That is the return of the “5” shield under the Seiko brand in 2012. Not only is it suitable for this vintage revival dial, it also helps the new SRPL91 and SRPL93 achieve a creepy look to its predecessor. The simple baton handset and stick index are lifted directly from the 6119-8460, which includes the second hand of the attractive paddle tip, but there is additional text that divides “water resistant” and “10 bar” into two lines. Just like the original, the day/date window is divided in color, with one day being white and the date being black. I would usually be the first to complain about not matching this to the dial, but for historical accuracy, I would allow it.
If you want the source material to be as accurate as possible, you should use a silver Krantz JR. This is the model that men actually wore. Seiko also offers a black SRPL93 variant that matches the original color options of the 6119-8460. The Hardlex Crystal dome is also really comfortable. It’s approaching vintage pieces and despite the scratch-resistant downgrade, it’s probably my preference over sapphire.
case
If the dial theme is “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” the cases will be lined up. It has a diameter of 38.2mm, and it matches the original, and the same can be said about its shape. The embedded 4 o’clock crown is a signature of Seiko 5 and helps to minimize the bulk of your rice. The compact lug-to-rag, which is Seiko, reissues a breeze on the wrist by Gene Krantz, and the tall dome of Hardlex Crystals from the bezel doubles the vintage aesthetic.
Where Kranz JR starts from the original is getting the quality as expected to the Japanese brand, so there’s a neat transition between the brush and refined surfaces. If you look at the side-on of the case, you will notice that Seiko has not yet signed the crown of an entry-level watch. The SRPL91 and SRPL93 feature lugs that we expected to feature the original, taking into account the “Sports Diver” moniker.
bracelet
Factory options for both colorways are 5-link all-brush steel bracelets finished with foldable double-pusher clasps. Aesthetically, it remains true to the bracelet available in original watches in the 60s, and I like the size of the clasp, given the medium size diameter. The decline in Clasp’s real estate means there are only two tweak positions that take away a bit of versatility, but with a small bracelet link, I don’t think that’s a big deal. That said, I always welcome the fine-tuning of Torres, which has become Seiko’s standard.
Movement
There are no prizes to speculate on the move that will enhance this new 5-sport duo. Yes, the venerable 4R36 works again, offering up to 41 hours of reliable timekeeping and be hit at 3Hz. It’s hidden behind a solid caseback and I’m completely onboard and a neat (and expected) upgrade across the original 6119c from the 60s.
verdict
There’s no shortage of excellent and affordable Seiko Daily Drivers from the 5 sports collections, but I really think the new SRPL91 and SRPL93 are two of the best we’ve seen in a while. The 50-year-old design has proven timeless in its simplicity and readability, with some quirks like bicolor day/date and old Seiko 5 scripts being what you need to pull the heart strings of lovers. Plus, there’s a cool factor that it was nicknamed after its wearer, Eugene Francis Krantz, but there’s very little to complain about. What should I do and do I wear it so that I can nickname it after me?
Seiko 5 Sports SRPL91 and SRPL93 “Gene Kranz” Pricing and Availability
The new Seiko 5 Sports SRPL91 and SRPL93 Heritage Design Recreation Limited Edition are limited to 9,999 units per color. Price: $695
Brand Seiko Model
5 Sports Heritage Design Recreation Limited Edition
Reference number srpl91k
SRPL93K Case Dimensions 38.2mm (d) Case Material Stainless Steel Water Resistance 100m Crystal Box Type Hardlex Front Dial Silver, Black Strap 5 Link Steel Bracelet, Foldable Clasp Movement 4R36, In-house, Automatic Power Reserve 41 Hours Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date Available Date Usage
