The best and most random Seiko special editions
Borna BošnjakWell-known for releasing numerous limited and special editions, Seiko has a seemingly non-depletable source of inspiration to plumb. So, we thought we’d look back at the weird and wonderful Seiko limited editions over the past few years, made up of absolute winners and quirky odd-jobs, in no particular order. We’ll let you figure out which is which.
Seiko 5 Sports Heritage “Kamen Rider” SRPL03 and SRPL05
We start off with one of the more recent releases, where Seiko looked back to the 1960s for inspiration. Nicknamed for its cameo in the 1970s Japanese superhero show Masked Rider in which the protagonist wore an original ref. 5126-8090, these are more than just re-coloured 5KXs – even though you can get one of those in the SRPJ91, too… Instead, these faithfully recreate the case and bracelet style and dimensions, while updating the movement to a modern 4R36. While these are technically limited editions, Seiko will produce 9,999 pieces in each colour, making the duo one of the few pieces on this list that you can still actually buy.
Seiko 5 Sports Custom Watch Beatmaker Limited Edition SRPH19
Going back to 2021, we have the result of Seiko’s quirky music-but-pair-it-with-watches competition. The Custom Watch Beatmaker winner was this – the SRPH19, voted for by fans for its Pogue-like colourway years before Seiko kind of tried to revive it with the solar-powered Speedtimer SSC947. It was exclusively available from Seiko’s online boutique, in a limited run of 2021 pieces.
Seiko 5 Sports Evisen Sushi SRPF95
So far, we have seen two relatively tame takes on the versatile 5KX. This SRPF95 that was released as one-third of a collaboration with Evisen Skateboards, however, is anything but. Limited to 700 pieces, the SRPF95 took a piece of nigiri and made it into a watch. The dial and bezel are clearly meant to represent a red-fleshed fish (perhaps a piece of tuna, given this is a Seiko), while the white rubber strap came with a rice grain texture. To top it all off, the hands were lumed in red, with the green glow of the seconds hand counterbalance meant to represent a drop of wasabi on the tuna-like glow of the handset. Just make sure you don’t break the immersion by turning the bezel.
Seiko 5 Sports x Rowing Blazers
I could certainly get used to more collaborations between Seiko and preppy clothing brand Rowing Blazers. After knocking it out of the park in 2022 with racing-inspired 5KX models, in 2023, they’ve applied their touch to its bezel-less sibling. Taking inspiration from the ’70s-era Sport Diver and its bright orange dial and blocky indices, the collection is once again brilliant. After some confusion about the number of watches in their first run, Rowing Blazers and Seiko capped this release at 888 pieces per colourway. Let’s see whether they’ve got more up their striped sleeves.
Seiko Presage Kintaro Hattori SPB441
Seiko is undoubtedly one of the most important watch brands in the world, but it was one with fairly humble beginnings, not even marking its first dials with the Seiko name. The Laurel started it all in 1913, but it would take another 11 years and a devastating earthquake for Seiko to appear on the dial. The SPB441 Kintaro Hattori tributes the founder of the brand and symbolises the rebuilding of the destroyed factory. Admittedly, there are several pieces tributing the first Laurel, but the cleanliness of the SPB441’s design and 35mm size make it the pick for me.
Seiko Presage Porco Rosso Automatic Chronograph SRQ033
It’s by no means the only anime-related special edition Seiko has made, but the Porco Rosso SRQ033 holds special meaning both to Time+Tide and myself. For starters, back in 2020, we worked with Seiko Australia to sell one of these pieces, the proceeds of which were donated to Black Dog Institute, an organisation helping with depression and suicide prevention – something certainly relevant during the pandemic. And on my side, Porco Rosso is the only anime I’ve seen that’s (partly) set in Croatia, meaning it hits close to home. It also helps that it’s just a great film (and a great watch).
Seiko Presage Urushi Byakudan-nuri SPB085
We go from one tri-register Presage to another, but the SPB085 is not a chronograph. As part of Seiko’s Presage collection with artisan dials, the lacquer used for the Urushi Byakudan-nuri is particularly stunning. Inspired by blood-red skies at dawn, the sub-dials contrast against a jet-black backdrop, made with metallic powder that gives them phenomenal texture. The golden highlights of the power reserve and crescent Moon are just as stunning, made with the maki-e technique, using urushi lacquer as a glue for gilt powder.
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Irori Moments SRPK50
Every once in a while, one of these special editions lands Down Under, exclusive to the Australian market, and the Cocktail Time Irori Moments is especially memorable. Not only does it have a dial that could give some Grand Seikos a run for their money (for a lot less of it, too), it was also a collaborative effort with Australia’s foundational whisky distillery, Lark. Looking to capture the essence of a warm Japanese hearth and the emotions it generates (as well as the gentle burn of a fine Tasmanian whisky), the 1,000-piece run didn’t last long.
Seiko Prospex Land Series GMT Navigator Time SPB411
Once Seiko released their affordable 4R-series GMT movement, it was only a matter of time before various special re-creations of their early dual-time watches followed. The Prospex SPB411 is the best of the lot, echoing the design of Seiko’s first-ever GMT with a rotating bezel, and doing so in surprisingly faithful style. The 6117-8000 Navigator Time’s slender, 24-hour bezel and stubby GMT hand make an appearance, though the water resistance improves to 100 metres. Set to be produced in 4,000 examples, you might still be able to pick one up at the time of writing, for a cool US$1,500.
Seiko Prospex First Diver’s Re-creation Limited Edition SLA017
Picking up a Seiko limited edition is usually a great way to get a bit of affordable fun on your wrist, but it’s not exclusive to just entry-level pieces. Though it was released some eight years ago, the Prospex SLA017 still stands as the golden standard for a modern Seiko diver, tributing the icon that is the 62MAS. It sports a case and dial that’s nearly identical (though modernised) to the 62MAS, but with a vastly upgraded 8L35 movement – basically the Grand Seiko 9S55 sans decoration. For a smidge over US$4,000 at launch, it should be no surprise that the 2,000-piece run sold out quickly.
Seiko Prospex Alpinist Australian Red Desert SPB489
As a staunch proponent of the Alpinist cause, I couldn’t not include the Australasian market special Outback. While most Alpinists settle with a rich sunburst finish, the red-dialled Outback is equipped with a heavily textured backdrop. The striations flowing down the dial look like winding sand dunes, matching perfectly with the gold indices. The rest is a familiar story. A 6R35 movement, rotating inner bezel and 200 metres of water resistance means the Alpinist cements its place as an amazing all-rounder and one of our top picks for mountaineering watches.
Seiko x TiCTAC 35th Anniversary Limited Edition SZSB006
If you want a limited edition Alpinist that’s hard to get because it’s a JDM release, but you don’t want to settle for one of the standard production variants, the TiCTAC 35th Anniversary is what you’re looking for. Simplifying the dials with numerals at just 6 and 12, making it the perfect mix between a Rolex Explorer 1016 and Seiko’s own mountaineering watch. The fauxtina was done just right, and the case grew to 40mm x 11mm, offering a unique on-wrist proposition that was larger but thinner than any current Alpinist.
Seiko x Nano Universe anything
Time to dwell into the slightly more obscure. If you’ve read any of my previous articles, chances are I will have come up with a way to sideskirt around a set of parameters one way or another. So, in true Borna fashion, rather than just picking one Seiko x Nano Universe release, I’m bundling them all into one, and highlighting three specific examples.
The first are the Tudor Prince Chronograph-adjacent SZSJ005 and SZSJ006 chronographs, available only in Japan and selling out quickly, with an undisclosed number of each produced. Though the inspiration is clear, these are still decidedly handsome pieces, and at US$250 at retail – nothing but absolute bargains.
Next up – no, it’s not a mod from some Seiko forum enthusiast, but rather a 300-piece limited edition from Nano Universe. Spelling out the obvious – from the orange hand, fauxtina-coloured arrow indices and matte black dial, this could only be a homage to the McQueen Explorer, ref. 1655. Quartz-powered and sized at 35mm, the SZQV020 is so cute.
And finally, if you’re not quite on the Seiko homage to Rolex bandwagon, maybe a minimalist icon instead? In 2017, the prolific collaborators re-released the watch that featured on the cover of Time magazine on the wrist of Steve Jobs – the Seiko Chariot. Available in black or white and in 33mm and 37mm sizes, they were exclusive to Japan and made in 300 pieces per reference. Though the retail was around US$200, secondary market values have risen dangerously close to four figures.