The 1960s-Inspired Seiko 5 Sports SRPL91 and SRPL93

Created under the name Sportsmatic 5 in 1963, the accessible yet robust collection of Seiko quickly evolved following its initial success to gain ruggedness and sports credentials in 1968, becoming the Seiko 5 Sports collection – intended for a younger, more active generation and retaining the defining features of classic Seiko 5 models. Revived a few years ago, mostly modelled after the beloved SKX dive watch, the Seiko 5 Sports collection has grown dramatically in the past couple of years, even including revived historic designs. This included the 55th Anniversary SRPK17, inspired by the very first model reference 61-5D. Now, Seiko brings another early design back to life with the 1960s-inspired references SRPL91 and SRPL93, modelled after the vintage 5 Sports reference 6119-8460, a.k.a the Gene Kranz.

While the Seiko 5 Sports collection was revived in 2019 as the non-direct descendant of the SKX007 (minus the proper water-resistance and screw-down crown), recent years have given us multiple historically-inspired models. The most important of all was and still is the reference SRPK17, which was modelled after the very first Seiko 5 Sports ever created in 1968, the 61-5D. We’ve also seen watches inspired by the Kamen Rider reference 5126-8090, the 1969 references 51-5, with their funky bezel or even one using the classic “Pogue” colour scheme. For its latest vintage-inspired issue, Seiko brings back one of its earliest designs, modelled after a specific reference, the 6119-8460. This watch gained fame by being worn by Eugene Francis Kranz, or Gene Kranz, space engineer, former fighter pilot and NASA’s Chief Flight Director, directing missions of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, including the first lunar landing mission, Apollo 11.

With this vintage Kranz design and case shape in mind, Seiko today delivers the new 5 Sports SRPL91 and SRPL93. Classic in execution, somehow novel in terms of design, at least compared to the current collection. It starts with a typical late 1960s cushion-shaped case that’s fairly compact, measuring only 38.2mm in diameter. It’s also short on the wrist, at only 44.7mm in length and not too thick, sitting below 13mm. The case is mostly brushed with polished flanks, and is equipped with the signature crown at 4 o’clock, slightly recessed into the caseband.

These new 1960s-inspired Seiko 5 Sports SRPL91 and SRPL93 are, like many of their vintage siblings, equipped with a bi-directional bezel, here featuring a metal insert with an engraved 60-minute scale – though the 100m water-resistance doesn’t make them proper dive watches, yet it’s good enough for a jump in the pool. Rather novel for 5 Sports watches, these are equipped with box-shaped crystals instead of the usual curved crystal. Don’t get too enthusiastic, however, as we’re still talking about Hardlex elements. The caseback is screwed and solid steel, in line with the vintage inspiration.

Two dial colours are available with this new release, a classic black dial (SRPL93) with white printings and a lively sunray-brushed silver dial (SRPL91) with black markings. On both, Seiko adds a cool retro touch, as the calendar display replicates that of the vintage model with a reverse colour scheme. The day is in white and the date is in black. The raised, polished hour markers and the hands are both filled with LumiBrite, and the literature at 6 o’clock replicates the font of past models.

Hidden under the caseback engraved with the unique limited edition number is the trusted automatic calibre 4R36, found in most entry-level watches of Seiko. This proper workhorse beats at a 3Hz frequency and stores 41 hours of power reserve. It features a stop-seconds mechanism and can be manually wound. Both the SRPL91 and SRPL93 are worn on a steel bracelet that, once again, is inspired by the past. It is fully brushed and gives the appearance of being a so-called multi-link, while it’s actually using large single links. It’s closed by a folding clasp with push-button release.

Released as limited editions of 9,999 pieces per colourway, the Seiko 5 Sports “Gene Kranz” SRPL91 and SRPL93 will be available in July 2025 and priced at EUR 460. For more details, please consult seikowatches.com.