Japanese watchmaker Seiko is celebrating the 55th anniversary of their 5 Sports watch this year, and in typical Seiko fashion, we’re inundated with several limited editions created as part of the festivities. The Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Masked Rider SRPJ91K1 watch is a limited edition of 4,000 pieces and has been created in collaboration with ‘Masked Rider’ – a cult vintage Japanese Manga TV series.
Seiko have always been very good at honouring their Japanese heritage through their releases. Whether it’s designs like the 5 Sports Naruto & Boruto Limited Editions created in honour of one of the country’s most famous anime’s or recent designs like their Presage Craftsmanship Series which utilises rare materials and Japanese handcraft techniques, Seiko has always had a penchant for cultural celebration. It’s no surprise then that for their latest release, Seiko has collaborated with Masked Rider, a Japanese television program that has captivated audiences since its first broadcast in 1971. The new Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Masked Rider SRPJ91K1 watch remembers the original watch worn by lead character Takeshi Hongo during some of the first-ever episodes.
As we’ve come to expect from Seiko limited editions like this, the Seiko 5 Sports Masked Rider SRPJ91K1 watch is filled with a range of design cues that reference the Masked Rider 1. For starters, the 42.5mm stainless steel case is presented with a glass caseback decorated with the Tachibana Racing logo. This emblem featured on the Masked Rider’s bike in the programme. The case back is also marked by its limited edition status out of 4,000 pieces and official serial number. The grained calfskin leather strap and its red underside is also a direct reference to the character’s famous red scarf.
One of our personal favourite features of the Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Masked Rider SRPJ91K1 watch is the dial, which takes inspiration from the colour and textures of the Masked Rider’s face mask. The textured display is finished in a deep emerald green colour and pairs with vintage-inspired beige Lumibrite hands for the hours and minutes and faceted Lumibrite hour markers. There’s something about the combination of the dial and the aggressively ratcheted, deep set bezel that gives the watch a totally different appearance to other modern-day Seiko 5 watches. The bezel does offer bi-directional rotating functionality, a brushed steel insert with a numberless scale and a rare luminous pip at 12 o’clock – something not usually seen on a 5 Sports watch.
The rest of the Seiko 5 Sports Masked Rider SRPJ91K1 watch maintains all the familiar features of previous 5 Sports models. There’s a 100 metre water resistance, screw in crown, Hardlex crystal glass and a large day and date complication at 3 o’clock on the dial. Powering the hours, minutes, seconds, day and date is the 4R36 automatic winding movement with a 41 hour power reserve. Each of the 4,000 limited edition pieces is delivered in a special presentation box, once again honouring the design’s collaboration with Masked Rider, offering overlapping acrylic plates that indicate the watch’s specifications.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Masked Rider SRPJ91K1 watch and secure one of the 4,000 limited edition pieces for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 42.5mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Rotating, brushed steel insert
- Glass: Hardlex crystal
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition with special decoration
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Calibre 4R36 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date
- Power Reserve: 41 hours
- Jewels: 24
- Frequency: 21,600vph
- Dial: Green textured with Lumibrite hands and markers
- Strap: Calfksin leather with red lining
- Limited: 4,000 pieces
- RRP: £380
- Reference: SRPJ91K1
