Borna Boschunjak
Famous for releasing numerous limited editions and special editions, Seiko has a seemingly unchallenging source of Plumb’s inspiration. So I thought we’d look back at the odd and amazing limited edition Seiko from the past few years. You can know which is which.
Seiko 5 Sports Heritage “Kamen Rider” SRPL03 and SRPL05
We started with one of Seiko’s recent releases, which looked back at the 1960s in search of inspiration. The Japanese superhero show mask rider of the 1970s was given the cameo nickname, and the main character wore the original ref. 5126-8090, these are just more than just reinjected 5kxs. You can get either the SRPJ91, but instead these faithfully reproduce the style and dimensions of the case and bracelet, updating the move to the modern 4R36. Although these are technically limited editions, Seiko produces 9,999 pieces in each color, making it one of the few works on this list.
Seiko 5 Sports Custom Watch Beatmaker Limited Edition SRPH19
Going back to 2021, Seiko’s quirky music, but the result of the Watch competition. This was the winner of the custom watchbeat maker – SRPH19 was voted by fans in years of such a colorway before Seiko tried to revive it with the solar-powered SpeedTimer SSC947. Available only for a limited number of 2021 works from Seiko’s online boutique.
Seiko 5 Sports Evisen Sushi SRPF95
So far, we have seen two relatively tame take of a versatile 5kx. However, this SRPF95, released as a third of its collaboration with Evisen skateboards, is nothing more. Limited to 700 units, the SRPF95 took the Nigiri and turned it into a watch. The dial and bezel are clearly meant to represent redheaded fish (part of the tuna, probably because this is a seiko), and the white rubber straps have a textured rice grain. Plus, I let my hands squeal red. The green glow of seconds was intended to represent a drop of katsuobushi to the tuna-like glow of a cell phone. Turn the bezel to avoid disrupting the immersion.
Seiko 5 Sports X Rowing Blazer
I certainly got used to more collaborations between Seiko and Preppy Clothing Brand Rowing Blazers. After knocking out the park in 2022 with a racing-inspired 5KX model, they applied the touch to their bezelless siblings. Taking inspiration from the 70s sports divers and their bright orange dials and blocky indexes, the collection is once again fantastic. After confusion about the number of watches in the first run, the rowing blazer and Seiko capped this release at 888 pieces per colorway. Let’s see if they have more striped sleeves.
Seiko Presage Kintaro Hattori SPB441
Seiko is undoubtedly one of the most important watch brands in the world, but it has a rather humble beginning and never even marked the first dial with Seiko’s name. Laurel started it all in 1913, but it took another 11 years, and it took a devastating earthquake for Seiko to appear on the dial. SPB441 Kintaro Hattori pays homage to the brand’s founder and symbolizes the reconstruction of the destroyed factory. Certainly there are several pieces to donate to the first praise, but the SPB441 design and 35mm size cleanliness are a pick for me.
Seiko Presage Porco Rosso Automatic Chronograph SRQ033
Though it’s not the only special anime-related edition Seiko has made, the Porco Rosso SRQ033 retains special meaning for both Time + Tide and me. First, in 2020, we worked with Seiko in Australia to sell one of these pieces. The proceeds have been donated to the Black Dog Institute, an organization that supports depression and suicide prevention. And on my part, Porco Rosso is the only anime I’ve seen, and it’s set (partially) in Croatia. It also helps that it’s just a great movie (and a great watch).
Seiko Presage Urushi byakudan-nuri spb085
You will move from one Tri-Register Presage to another, but the SPB085 is not a chronograph. The lacquer used in Urushibira Kudan Noori is particularly impressive as part of Seiko’s presage collection, featuring artisan dials. Inspired by the red sky of dawn blood, the subdial contrasts with the jet black background, made of metallic powder, which gives it an incredible texture. The golden highlights of the Power Reserve and Crescent Moon are as great as they are made with Makie’s technique, using urushi lacquer as a gluing agent for gold leaf powder.
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Irori Moments SRPK50
Sometimes, one of these special editions is limited and registered to the Australian market. Not only did the epic Seicos have a dial that you can run for money (it’s much less), but it was also a joint effort with Lark, an Australian foundation whiskey distillery. The 1,000-piece run didn’t last long as it attempts to capture the essence of a warm Japanese furnace and the emotions it produces (and the mild burns of fine Tasmanian whiskey).
Seiko Prospex Land Series GMT Navigator Time SPB411
Once Seiko released the affordable 4R Series GMT movement, it was only a matter of time before various special re-creations of early dual watches continued. The Prospex SPB411 reflects Seiko’s first GMT design with a rotating bezel, and doing it in an incredibly faithful style. The 6117-8000 Navigator’s thin, 24-hour bezel and stocky GMT hand are introduced, but the water resistance is increased to 100 meters. It’s set to be created with 4,000 examples, but at the time of writing you might be able to pick up one for one cool $1,500.
Seiko Prospex First Diver Recreate Limited Edition SLA017
Getting a Seiko limited edition is usually a great way to get affordable fun on your wrist, but it’s not just about entry-level pieces. Released about 8 years ago, Prospex SLA017 branches into a 62-square icon and remains the golden standard for modern Seiko divers. It features a case and dial, almost the same as the 62 squares (although modernised), but with a much-upgraded 8L35 movement of the 8L35, essentially decorated with Grand Seico 9S55 decorations. For Smidges that exceeded USD 4,000 at launch, it’s no surprise that the 2,000-piece run sold out immediately.
Seiko Prospex Alpinist Australian Red Desert SPB489
As a solid supporter of the alpinist cause, I was unable to include the Australian Market Special Outback. Most alpinists settle with rich sunburst finishes, but the red-away outback is equipped with a terriblely textured background. The stripes flowing through the dial look like dunes of winding sand and match perfectly with the gold indicator. The rest is familiar stories. The 6R35’s movement, inner bezel and water resistance of 200 meters means that the alpinist is an amazing all-around and solidifies its position as one of the top picks of climbing clocks.
Seiko x Tictac 35th Anniversary Limited Edition SZSB006
If you want a limited edition alpinist that is difficult to get because it’s a JDM release, and you don’t want to settle for one of the standard production variants, the Tictac 35th Anniversary is what you’re looking for. Simplify the dialing with numbers at just 6 and 12, making it the perfect mix of the Rolex Explorer 1016 and Seiko’s own climbing clock. Fauxtina was done just right, with the case increasing to 40mm x 11mm, offering a unique recipe proposal that is bigger but thinner than the current alpinist.
Seiko x Nano Universe is anything
It’s time to stick to something a little vague. If you’ve read any of my previous articles, you could come up with a way of being surrounded by a side skirt in some way around a set of parameters. So, in true Borna fashion, rather than choosing just one release of Seiko x Nano Universe, they all come together in one, highlighting three concrete examples.
The first is the SZSJ005 and SZSJ006 chronograph edited by Prince Tudor, which are available only in Japan, and are sold out quickly because no private numbers are produced each. The inspiration is clear, but these are still obviously handsome pieces, costing $250 for retailers. It’s just an absolute bargain.
Second, no, it’s not a mod from some Seiko Forum lovers, but rather a limited edition of 300 pieces of the Nano Universe. The obvious spelling from the orange hand, fauxtina coloured arrow indexes and matte black dials could only be a homage to the McQueen Explorer. 1655. With a 35mm quartz drive and size, the SZQV020 is very cute.
And finally, if you don’t have Seiko’s respect for the Rolex bandwagon, would it be a minimalist icon instead? In 2017, the prolific collaborator re-released the watch featured in Seiko Chariot, Cover of The Steve Jobs of The Time Magazine. Available in black or white, 33mm and 37mm sizes, exclusively for Japan and made with 300 per reference. Retailers were around US$200, but secondary market values have risen dangerously to nearly four digits.
