Seiko’s New Entry-Level Model Is Perfect for Practically Everyone

The latest Seiko 5 Sports line draws inspiration from both the 1970s and EDC culture.

blue seiko watch on a collage background featuring various retro products

Published April 5, 2024

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Seiko has been in a very nostalgic mood lately. Whether it’s the SKX-inspired “5KX” divers of the new 5 Sports line, the throwback mechanical chronographs from its Prospex catalog or the Presage reissue of the very first watch made by the brand, Seiko has been mining its exensive history — the brand name turns 100 this year and the company marked 110 years of watchmaking last year — to great effect in recent years.

Its latest effort is an inspired revival of the SNXS, a cult-favorite Rolex Oyster Perpetual lookalike with a day-date display. The SNXS gained its devoted following thanks to its combination of clean looks, Seiko ruggedness and its dirt-cheap sub-$200 retail price.

seiko watch on a wooden table — The original SNXS gave off strong Rolex vibes.

That generation of the SNXS is long gone (though you can still find them on Amazon), but now Seiko has a new version of the watch in its Seiko 5 Sports line for those interested in an entry-level Seiko that can go anywhere and do anything. Here’s what you need to know about the latest Seiko 5 Sports models.

The Seiko 5 Sports SNXS Series

There are three colorways in the new SNXS Series, and none of them have “SNXS” in their reference numbers. The new watches are as follows:

SRPK87 – Blue Dial
SRPK89 – Black Dial
SRPK91 – Ivory Dial

seiko watch with cream dial lying on its side — The 5 Sports SNXS series is sportier than its predecessor.

The watches are decidedly sportier than the original SNXS thanks to blocker hands and indices with retro-tinted lume, contrasting minute tracks, black day-date displays and orange seconds hands for all models. The colors and overall design give off a retro vibe, which Seiko says was inspired by its own 1970s offerings.

The bracelet is newly-developed for this model, and is a three-link style with rounded links, a slight taper and a push-button tri-fold clasp. The lug width is 18mm, and drilled lugs should make strap changes easy. The general shape of the case, including the recessed crown at four o’clock, is carried over from the original SNXS and is the new watch’s most direct stylistic line to its predecessor.

blue seiko watch against a white and gray backdrop — All colors feature an orange seconds hand as a callback to 1970s Seiko 5 models.

black seiko watch viewed against a white and gray backdrop — The case shape and recessed crown return from the original SNXS.

The brand also states the new collection is inspired by Everyday Carry (EDC) culture, which visually doesn’t track for me but conceptually it does. These are watches that can be worn in pretty much any situation. They’re a little sporty, a little dressy and go with most outfits. They’re well-sized at 37.4mm across and 44.7mm lug-to-lug, meaning they should be comfortable and low-key for a great number of wrists. And the 100m water resistance means you don’t have to worry about getting it wet.

“Entry-Level Seiko” Doesn’t Mean What It Used To

As any Seiko fan will tell you, you can’t get a Seiko these days for as cheap as you used to. While the original SNXS retailed for under $200, the new models — which go on sale in May — are roughly twice as expensive with an SRP of $395. That’s still a good deal for a good-looking, well-sized, rugged watch with a bulletproof automatic movement, but it still may cause some sticker shock among those who can recall picking up Seiko 5 SNKs for 50 bucks on Amazon just a few years ago.

Seiko 5 Sports SNXS Series

A rebirth of the cult-classic budget Seiko SNXS, this modern version maintains the sleek case shape and day-date complication but amps up the sportiness with a colorful ’70s-inspired look.