Seiko 5 Sports: 10 Best Affordable Watches
Seiko is the most acclaimed Japanese watchmaker in the horology community for a good reason. With its superb craftsmanship and outstanding innovation, Seiko never fails to design and create top-notch and functional time-telling accessories. Beyond that, this Japanese brand is also at the forefront of producing some of the most popular and iconic automatic and self-winding sports watches globally — the Seiko 5 Sports collection. This line of sports watches is not only sought-after for its durability, reliable functions, and modern style but also for its affordable prices.
This article will take you on a short journey in getting to know more about the brand, this collection, and some of the best affordable Seiko 5 Sports watches available today.
Best Affordable Seiko 5 Sports Watches
The Seiko 5 Sports collection has been one of the most in-demand and famous watches that the Japanese brand had ever released in the market. This collection offers five different series, which caters to 5 quintessential styles: Sports Style, Street Style, Suits Style, Sense Style, and Specialist Style. More than that, each timepiece is crafted using high-quality materials to ensure it possesses a timeless elegance and is built to last. With impressive and exceptional attributes that you’d be hard-pressed to find in its competitors, the Seiko 5 Sports is indeed the best watch you could buy at its budget-friendly price. Here are the 10 Seiko 5 Sports watches we recommend you check out:
1. Seiko 5 Sports SRPD77K1
First on the list is a sporty yet elegant automatic watch known as the Seiko 5 Sports SRPD77K1. This sports watch features a dark grey stainless steel case with a transparent caseback. Within the case is a glamorous green dial with luminous green hands and thick dot indices that really stand out against the background, making for easy visibility. One notable attribute this watch offers is its analog automatic movement, equipped with 4R36 calibre to ensure it provides the most accurate timekeeping possible.
Like other watches in Seiko’s collection, it is also equipped with a water-resistant feature that goes to a depth of 100 metres. Many previous owners of this watch have shared that it’s extremely comfortable to wear on the wrist with its dark green textile strap that perfectly blends with its grey stainless steel case. In addition, the unusual grey-green colour combination truly makes this an eye-catching timepiece. If you’re after a watch with its distinctive style and amazing features, opting to buy this model is a great idea. For only $327 USD, you can own a durable, stylish, and inexpensive timepiece through this Seiko 5 Sports SRPD77K1.
2. Seiko 5 Sports SRPD73K2
Another timepiece that deserves to be on your radar is the newest Seiko 5 Sports Suits Style, the SRPD73K2. Available for only $316 USD, this watch will truly give you the best bang for your buck. This model of the Seiko 5 Sports is famous for its versatility, making it the perfect companion accessory. Whether you’re wearing a sporty or casual outfit, or even dressed in more formal attire for your upcoming business meeting, this watch is a great piece which completes almost any look. It features a stainless steel case, a stunning black dial with luminous hands and markers that boasts both power and practicality, and a black silicone strap that feels exceedingly comfortable on your wrist. It also contains a hardlex crystal to keep the dial safe from any impacts or scratches.
In addition, the SRPD73K2 is also equipped with a top-notch 4R36 calibre automatic movement which guarantees high precision in time-telling. It also displays a screw-down crown, a transparent caseback, and a day/date display. This watch also comes with water resistance up to depths of 100 metres, so you could even take it with you to a swim anytime you want.
3. Seiko 5 Sports SRPD73K1
Sought-after not only for its affordability but also for its robustness and durability, the Seiko 5 Sports SRPD73K1 is a must-have watch accessory. It features a 42 mm silver polished case made from stainless steel to ensure it offers an unrivalled degree of anti-corrosiveness and is built for lasting use. It is also equipped with a hardlex crystal to protect its dial from any damage. The surface of the watch features an appealing black dial that perfectly complements its cream-coloured luminous hands and indices. The silver case of the watch is paired with a silver stainless steel mesh strap that gives the watch a rugged, masculine look.
In addition, this particular model features a unidirectional bezel and a water resistance of 100 metres. Unlike other automatic watches in Seiko’s collection, this model features a stop-seconds function which allows a wearer to freely halt the movement within their timepiece. Its mechanism is powered by a high-calibre 4R36 automatic movement, an in-house movement produced by Seiko itself. This calibre, which consists of 24 jewels and has 41 hours of power reserve, performs with excellent functionality and precision. This version of Seiko 5 Sports is available for only $319 USD, and is a very budget-friendly timepiece indeed.
4. Seiko 5 Sports SRPD76K1
Anyone can easily recognise this Seiko 5 Sports SRPD76K1 because of its stainless steel case coated with rose gold-toned materials. It features a black dial with dot indices, and the arrow-shaped hands are also framed with exquisite rose-gold, giving the watch an aura of elegance. It is equipped with a black silicone and leather bracelet to complete the whole look.
Like other Seiko 5 Sports watches, this comes equipped with an in-house automatic calibre 4R36, the same powerful movement that you can find in more expensive Seiko watches such as Prospex collection’s Seiko Turtle. It comes with 24 jewels and offers a 41-hour power reserve. It also features water resistance of up to 100 metres which guarantees that this watch can also survive being submerged in water. You can own this classy rose gold-toned Seiko 5 Sports watch for just $329 USD, which is certainly a steal.
5. Seiko 5 Sports SRPE71K1
If you’re a fan of minimalist designs and you’re in the market for a versatile Seiko timepiece, look no further. We give you the Seiko 5 Sports SRPE71K1, which is available for just $350 USD. This watch is the perfect accessory to use as your everyday companion, with its hard-coated stainless steel case and bracelet that offers ruggedness and impressive durability. This watch also features an exquisite silver dial and analog display, which is surrounded by a suave, textured silver bezel.
Like other watches in this list, the Seiko 5 Sports SRPE71K1 is also equipped with an in-house 4R36 calibre movement that has been proven to offer the most accurate timekeeping. The watch face is also embellished with a hardlex crystal to add more protection to its dial. Two unusual features that this watch possesses is that it has a pull/push crown, which sits just under the 3 o’clock position, and a see-through caseback. It is also equipped with 100 metres of water resistance. Again, if you want to own a classy yet straightforward piece from the Seiko watch collection, this model is crafted just for you.
6. Seiko 5 Sports SRPD81K1
The first Streets Style Seiko 5 Sports watch on our list has made its appearance, in the form of the Seiko 5 Sports SRPD81K1. This watch features an all-black hard-coated stainless steel case that measures 42.5mm in diameter. Unlike most sports watches, this watch comes with a see-through caseback so you can check on the automatic movement inside your watch with just a glance. The dial and the bezel, however, are the true standouts of this piece. The simple black dial and bezel are paired with unusual bright blue dotted indices, hand markers, and numerals, which makes for a sporty and truly eye-catching combination. The indices and hand markers are all filled with luminous material, which only improves upon the already great legibility of the watch. The sporty, youthful look of this watch is completed by a smooth black nylon strap.
The Seiko 5 Sports SRPD81K1 is also equipped with a hardlex crystal to add protection to its face and 100 metres of water resistance. It is powered by an in-house automatic 4R36 calibre movement like many other Seiko 5 sports watches. This timepiece is truly one of the most iconic of the Seiko 5 Sports collection, and you can get it for just $379 USD.
7. Seiko 5 Sports SRPD65K1
Another affordable timepiece from the Seiko 5 Sports collection that features a classic style and comes with top-notch functionality is the Seiko 5 Sports SRPD65K1. This watch is the exact definition of offering both function and form. It features a stern grey stainless steel bracelet and a case with a transparent see-through caseback, boasting professionalism and robustness. The face of the watch features a starker black-and-white colour scheme, with a jet-black dial and bezel that are paired with luminous white indices and arrow-shaped hands. The watch also features a day/date aperture at the 3 o’clock position, with the red-coloured text indicating the day adding a splash of colour to this stern and professional watch.
Equipped with a first-class in-house automatic 4R36 calibre movement, the SRPD65K1 promises to provide you with the highest precision timekeeping possible. It features a 42mm size case and hardlex crystal, which promises to provide extra protection from any scratches or damages to its face and dial. There’s no need to worry about bringing this Seiko watch into the water with you as it is equipped with 100 metres of water resistance. All in all, there is a lot to like about this timepiece, as it gives you class, professionalism, and high-performing functionality, all wrapped up in one watch. This model is available for just $399 USD.
8. Seiko 5 Sports SRPE80K1
One model of the Seiko 5 Sports watches that really deserves to be part of this rundown is the Seiko 5 sports SRPE80K1, which belongs to the Specialist Style set. It is designed to stand out from the crowd and from the rest of Seiko’s collection. It has its own distinctive and unique look that you’d be hard-pressed to find in its competitors, as it boasts a 42.5mm diameter stainless steel case with a bold bronze finish that reflects light exquisitely.
The SRPE80K1 also features a stunning black/grey dial, and its indices and arrow-shaped hands are all lined with gold to add to the consistent gold-black-white colour scheme. It is also equipped with an in-house automatic 4R36 calibre movement to offer more accurate timekeeping than you could ever imagine. Much like other watches in this collection, it offers 100 metres water resistance to keep it safe and still working even when submerged in water. A brown leather strap with a silicone lining completes the powerful look of this watch, which is available for just $400USD.
9. Seiko 5 Sports SRPF24K1
One variant of the Seiko 5 Sports Street Style that we want you to really pay close attention to is the Seiko 5 Sports SRPF24K1. This watch is exceptionally striking, with its bright red dial that features large-font Arabic numerals and hand markers in black and lined with yellow. It also has a 42.5mm stainless steel case in a round shape, with a see-through caseback. You can find the watch’s serial numbers engraved on the back of the case. A red and yellow nylon strap perfectly completes the brassy, loud style of this watch. The watch is also equipped with a robust in-house automatic 4R36 calibre movement, much like other Seiko 5 Sports watches. One thing to take note of is that this is certainly not a watch for everyone. With the SRPJ24K1’s bright colours and bold look, it is up to one’s personal style and preferences how they see and appreciate this iconic piece. Indeed, this is a watch for someone who is really looking to make a statement with their fashion.
One thing that might convince you to buy this timepiece is the fact that it is a rare limited edition. There are only 9,999 pieces of this model available on the market. So, if you’re after a rare, one-of-a-kind watch that’ll really make you stand out from the crowd, buying this Seiko watch for only $439 USD is a great deal.
10. Seiko 5 Sports SRPF20K1
Last but not least, the Seiko 5 Sports Ken Street Fighter V automatic watch is a must-have on this list. This watch, also known as the Seiko 5 Sports SRPF20K1, is yet another limited edition version of the Seiko 5 Sports watches, with only 9,999 pieces available, at $449 USD each. You can quickly identify this Seiko watch with its unusual and flashy red-toned appearance. It features a 42.5mm stainless steel case with a see-through caseback. The grandiose black dial is paired with minimalistic red indices and gold-toned hand markers, and a red fabric strap. It also features a day and date display and a unidirectional rotating bezel marked with red Arabic numerals.
As with other Seiko 5 Sports watches, the SRPF20K1 is equipped with a top-notch in-house automatic calibre 4R36 movement that has a total of 24 jewels and offers up to 41 hours of power reserve. The striking and bold red, black, and yellow colours are inspired by the costume of the iconic street fighter “Ken” from the best-selling Streetfighter series and give this watch a swagger and ruggedness that cannot be matched by other watches. As licensed merchandise from the Streetfighter series, this iconic Seiko 5 Sports watch is sure to appeal not just to Seikoholics, but to fans of the game as well.
5 Reasons Why Seiko 5 Sports Watch a Good Investment
Features a high-calibre in-house movement. As we all know, Seiko is a leader in innovation and has consistently created highly precise timepieces with outstanding craftsmanship and engineering. The Seiko 5 Sports watches are all equipped with their own powerful and top-notch calibre movement. Many Seikoholic fans and even regular watch enthusiasts have testified to how precise and high-functioning this line of sports watches is in its timekeeping.
Released from a reputable brand. As one of the longest-standing watch brands based in Japan, Seiko has also been recognised as being among the best watch manufacturers worldwide, with all the robust, functional, durable, and stylistic pieces that can be found in its extensive catalog. Buying and investing in a Seiko 5 Sports watch is really a great deal as this timepiece holds such exceptional value from such a trusted brand.
Crafted from premium materials. Seiko always sticks to its goal of creating and designing timepieces using premium first-class materials. The Seiko 5 Sports collection is no exception, and all it takes is a glance for the quality that these watches are made from to be clear to any watch enthusiast.
Affordable prices. One of the most appealing features of Seiko is that it never fails to introduce exquisite watches, all of which come at very low and reasonable prices. With Seiko, cheap does not mean bad, and their watches are always worth more than they cost as the Japanese brand always strives to create the best watches you can find in the world of horology.
Wide variety of watches. As mentioned, the Seiko 5 Sports collection offers five different series, namely, Sports Style, Street Style, Suits Style, Sense Style, and Specialist Style, to consistently suit the varying styles and preferences of both the older and younger generation. With the wide variety of watches and looks offered by the Seiko 5 Sports line, we promise that anyone can get a watch that best suits their personality from this collection.
Final Thoughts
Seiko never fails to surprise the watch community with its high-calibre watches, particularly its iconic first series of sports watches, the Seiko 5 Sports collection. The Japanese brand crafted this line of sports watches with its best engineering and innovative skills. Considering how affordable each sports watch is, there is little doubt why it remains one of the most sought-after watches today.
Want to know more about other top-notch Seiko models you should never miss adding to your collection’s list? Check out our other articles, particularly our guides to the Seiko Pogue and Seiko SNKL23.
Featured image from Daniel Zimmermann on Flickr.
