Seiko 5 Sports Style 'Black Grape 5KX' 'SKX Re-Interpretation' SSK001K1

Product Information

Even though looking out the window of my office today in France the weather isn’t the most engaging, it seems that summer is around the corner. Good weather, good vibes, good times, and the moment when we tend to spend more time outside than inside. For that reason, watch lovers also tend to have the concept of a summer watch in mind. A timepiece that can follow them during their summer adventures and can basically do-it-all. Earlier today, Seiko released the Seiko 5 Sports Style GMT, a new range that we’ve already introduced in this article. And when I had the SSK001K1, SSK003K1 and SSK005K1 in my hands, it immediately made me think: could this be the best summer watch you can get now? Answer to come! The mechanism used is an in-house-built 4R34 automatic movement and manual winding. This calibre movement has 24 Jewels and a 41-hour power reserve.

Just like the time of day hands and indexes, the GMT hand has a generous layer of Lumibrite to ensure legibility in low light conditions. The Seiko 5 collection was entirely revamped in 2019 with the launch of the Seiko 5 Sports Collection. And looking at these initial watches, there is another watch that needs to be mentioned, the legendary SKX007, the accessible dive watch personified. A great, inexpensive yet high-performance watch for recreational diving, the SKX007 has been a hit for the brand, yet it was discontinued in mid-2019, mostly because Seiko wanted to stop the production of the 7S series of movement, to be replaced by the 4R series. The SKX007, the definitive accessible dive watch… The bezel’s ring indicator is made of Seiko’s Hardlex glass to deliver the high level of durability for which the Seiko 5 Sports collection is renowned.So, what does that mean in terms of watch needs? With the above list in mind, a typical summer watch is a combination of water-resistance, robustness, maybe a traveller’s function and obviously, a stylish design that can be colourful, fun and sporty. A casual-looking watch, with a comfortable WR rating, a well-protected case, possibly a GMT function, preferably a steel bracelet (a rubber strap is also an option) and, to top it all, a price that should be decent enough so you don’t worry too much if you end up scratching your watch (or worse, end up losing it…) Our resident diver and watch tester Derek Haager knows all about dive watches… But he’s also a fairly experienced diver, and his needs are different from the average Joe going on seaside vacations. The new Seiko 5 Sports Style GMT series rely on the Seiko Calibre 4R34, based on the trusted 4R platform. This runs at a frequency of 21,600vph and offers 41 hours of running time. Next to being wound by the rotor, it is possible to wind it by hand through the crown. The movement has a basic level of finishing, which is what you can expect at this price point. Finally, and rather understandably in such a price range, the new Calibre 4R34 isn’t a true traveller’s watch, like this Grand Seiko or a Rolex GMT-Master II, where the second position of the crown allows one-hour jumps of the local time. Here, the GMT function acts like an ETA 2893, where the second position of the crown independently set the 24h GMT hand. We are also able to offer an exchange to a different product if required, please specify this when returning your product.

How does this watch compare to the SKX? We need to know, right? It is a comparison that many are going to make. I’d wager that the comparison to the SKX will be made more than to the 5KX. To put it simply, if you can’t see the dials (or the cyclops) you likely won’t be able to tell the difference. When I was taking photos of the two watches, I noticed that the SSK001 actually sits a touch lower than the SKX…just a touch, barely enough to mention it. But, I’m mentioning it.If you’ve read one Seiko review that mentions LumiBrite, you’ve read it all and I don’t need to tell you how good the lume is. I will tell you where the lume is…or isn’t. The bezel is not lumed, just the hands and dial. This is to be expected from the Seiko 5 line. The bi-colour 24-hour bezel is coated in Hardlex, to ensure durability while the GMT hand improves practicality, visibility and legibility. The ‘beads of rice’ jubilee bracelet remains true to the SKX heritage with a ‘five-piece link’ design that forms a series of small X-shaped patterns. I don’t know about you, but to be honest, I think I just found my new perfect summer watch. There are many other options to consider, of course. But not many can combine such a level of coolness, quality-price ratio, and practicality. I’ll let you decide whether you agree or not, but my choice is made! In addition to the international convenience of the GMT function, the watches also feature a rotating bezel that is in two colors to separate the night and day hours at a glance. Finally, summer is the time when we can be a bit bolder with our clothes. Bright colours are much more accepted, and casual attire is the way to go; I want a watch that reflects this, with a hint of colour, a relaxed look, and a slight sporty style. And in this vein, a steel bracelet is some sort of a must for me, as I don’t really enjoy rubber straps.

Seiko's timepiece merges a low-maintenance stainless steel case with a silver wristband constructed from stainless steel. Seiko 5 Sports (SSK001K1)

With all of the above requirements in mind, I can hardly find a better answer than the Seiko 5 Sports Style GMT… It does everything perfectly, with style and quality, at a good price. And not only do I recommend this watch to newcomers (men and women) but also to far more experienced watch enthusiasts. It’s not a problem of price anymore; it’s just that this Seiko really does everything you’ll ever need. Without mentioning the fact that it has a truly versatile case that will look perfect with basically any kind of strap: NATO, Perlon, two-piece fabric, tropic… The game is on. These watches are typical strap monsters, believe me. And if the Jubillee-style bracelet isn’t your thing, you can also use the 3-link Oyster-style of the other Seiko 5 watches.

If you require an extra large bracelet or you are in need of additional links these may be supplied at an additional cost. The bi-colour 24-hour bezel is coated in Hardlex, to ensure durability while the GMT hand improves practicality, visibility and legibility. The ‘beads of rice’ bracelet remains true to the SKX heritage with a ‘five-piece link’ design that forms a series of small X-shaped patterns. I’m only throwing this section in because I’m sure the modders out there will want to know if the watches are similar enough that parts are interchangeable between the two. I’ll leave the 100% true answer to that to the professional modding companies to determine, but I’d say get your wallets ready. Final Thoughts Before anyone gets disappointed, it should be known that this is like the 5KX and has a push/pull crown. There is still 100 meters of water resistance which should be plenty for almost anyone, especially considering this is nota dive watch. Let’s not spend too much time on the things we already know about and focus on the real star of the show, the movement.The first ever wristwatch was designed by a prominent Genevan-Polish duo for the Countess Koscowicz in the 1860s. Handcrafted from gold and rare gems, it was just as much an accessory as it was functional. And this sentiment has returned. In the age of mobile phones and fitness bands, wristwatches have moved from being practical to being largely accessories again, just as they were a long time ago. The 5 Sports (SSK001K1) is an analogue automatic wristwatch. These types of automatic timepieces gained popularity among pilots during The Great War, as the hands-free winding mechanism allowed for greater accuracy and convenience in challenging environments. Is It Safe Around Water? First released in the 90s, the SKX Seiko 5 Sports watches were a modernised version of the classics – updating the reliability and durability of the 1960s originals. The 90s collection offered improved practicality – enhanced water resistance, strengthened crystals along with luminous hands and hour markers. These wearable, loveable values still stay strong in today’s modernised Seiko 5 Sports designs. The handset is nothing new except for the…new hand. The GMT hand is red and the tip looks like a larger version of the minute hand. The way it contrasts with the dial will leave no question as to what hand you are looking at.