We know, we don’t usually talk about such accessible brands but we must give credit where credit is due. Just one year after the success of the collaboration that resulted in three new models based on the traditional Seiko 5 Sports with diver-style bezel, it was to be expected that Rowing Blazer and Seiko would return to work together.
This time, at the center of the project we still find the Seiko 5 Sports series, but instead of the “SKX” diver-style bezel, we have a smooth bezel with a clear vintage spirit. The inspiration for these 4 new limited edition watches comes directly from the Seiko ref. 6106-7107 Vintage Orange Dial Sport Diver owned by Jack Carlson, the founder of Rowing Blazers
Per la nascita dei nuovi Seiko x Rowing Blazers Seiko 5 Sports, allo sviluppo del progetto ha partecipato nuovamente il famoso esperto di orologi vintage Eric Wind. Come si suol dire, squadra che vince non si cambia!
The size of this new collection has shrunk compared to the previous collaboration. In fact, we are talking about 40 mm in diameter and 13 mm in thickness. Measures that, despite being abundant when it comes to vintage, are much closer to the goal that Rowing Blazers, Seiko and Eric Wind wanted to achieve.
With a 41-hour power reserve and hacking feature, the automatic caliber 4R36 is visible from the caseback (if you can see beyond the laser inscriptions). In fact, on the caseback we find in addition to the Seiko writing, a golden skeleton, the writing “TEMPVS FVGIT” and the indication of water resistance up to 10 bar.
To understand what you can do with a water resistance up to 10 bar read our guide!
As the last element common to all four new models, it is the ability to interchange steel bracelet and nylon straps specially designed for each of the four specific Rowing Blazers x Seiko references.
An important feature of the new Seiko 5 Sports x Rowing Blazers is the use of colors. In fact, we know how important it is becoming within the world of watchmaking and unfortunately we also have numerous examples in which the coloring damages the character and spirit of the watch.
However, in these new Seiko the colors were totally spot on. Three out of four models feature a brightly colored dial, keeping it aligned with the spirit of an affordable watch. To be noted, in my opinion, it is the sky blue color of the reference SRPJ61. Going on the same range of colors, Seiko and Rowing Blazers could have made the huge mistake of choosing the blue “Tiffany” in line with the senseless hype it has collected in the last 2 years … luckily it did not happen!
Referenza SRPJ57
The SRPJ57 reference is the one that best recalls the model from which it takes inspiration, not for a structural question but for the orange color of the dial. In addition to the steel bracelet, it comes with a petrol green nylon strap with white lines on the edges. Since it is the closest to the starting point, we can already imagine which is Jack Carlson’s favorite.
Referenza SRPJ59
The reference SRPJ59 is characterized by a lime green dial and the possibility of equipping it with a purple and black parallel striped strap. Personally I don’t like the color of the dial but I find the combination of dial and strap absolutely spot on.
Referenza SRPJ61
I believe that no one better than Jack Carlson can express what I think about it. As the founder of Rowing Blazers told our friend Charlie Dunne:
“You see “Tiffany blue” everywhere, but I don’t think I would ever wear that on a watch. But I’m crazy about the rich sky blue – Azure – that we chose for that reference. It goes with everything.”
The sky-blue dial is combined with a red nylon strap with a central yellow ocher stripe.
Referenza SRPJ63
Unlike previous models, the touch of panache in this reference is not given by the color of the dial but by the indexes. Yellow, red, green, orange, pink, blue are repeated symmetrically, with the exception of the brown index at 9 o’clock which in its symmetrical counterpart at 3 o’clock is replaced by the indication of day and date. The colors of the indexes are recalled in the irregular stripes of the interchangeable nylon strap.
Price and availability
Each of the four pieces is a limited edition of 888 pieces with a list price of USD 495.
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To learn more about Rowing Blazers we invite you to visit their official website.
