In recent times, Seiko have been doing this kinds of product offering very regularly. Most recently, in the first quarter of this year, Seiko released the Limited Edition Seiko 5 SRP507 and SRP509. I believe Seiko wants to create a strong collectors market in a similar way Casio has been able to achieve with its G-Shockrange. Although Casio does not classify theirs as ‘limited edition’ pieces, by virtue of the short production run and quick turnaround in replacement models, a strong fan base and the relatively cheap price points of the watch itself creates sufficient supply and demand in the secondary market. This has the tendency of elevating the brand franchise to a higher level.
The sister to this watch is the SRP579K. That watch is in gunmetal black with black leather strap. Personally, I prefer a non-coloured watch so I made my choice on the SRP577K. With its silver unpolished look and brown leather strap, it complements my character and personality much better.
This watch has a diameter of 44 mm wide excluding crown. Its thickness is 12 mm while its lug width is 22 mm. The case design is similar to the ‘Monster’ series with the screw down crown located at the four o’clock position. The bezel is recessed in a protective slipway on the top half as well as the bottom half of the watch face.
This three-handed watch comes with a compass function as well as a unique date window. The bezel is bi-directional and does not ‘click’ in place. Materials used are stainless steel for the casing and ‘Hardlex’ crystal glass (a synthetic proprietary sapphire crystal equivalent made by Seiko) for the front as well as the display case-back.
The hour markers are represented by minute numerals 05,10,… instead of the usual 1,2,3 or straight markers. A secondary scale is provided in increments of 0.2 minutes/seconds and printed on the sloping chapter ring. It is the hour markers on the chapter ring as well as the broad hour and minutes hands that are fully painted with LumiBrite, a proprietary luminous paint by Seiko. The unique seconds hand has an small aircraft motive close to the tip and together are the only part that is painted with LumiBrite. The rest of the seconds hand is painted black.
The dial is black and has the Seiko brand name cut from a thin piece of metal stuck to it at the 12 o’clock position. Below there centre point of the dial is the Prospex logo and the words ‘AUTOMATIC’ and ‘100M’. The last factor gives the indication of the water rating for this watch which is 100 meters or 330 feet.
The date window on this watch is unique for Seiko. It shows dates for 5 days continuously with the warning yellow strips on its left. This design gives an illusion that you are looking at an analogue aircraft instrument. Although some would argue Bell & Ross started the aircraft instrument panel craze, I like Seiko’s bold move to provide something different in its product offering.
Although the huge date window took out two set of Arabic numerals, it does not impact the illuminated markers. In the dark, the dial still looks complete with all markers and the hands lighted up.
The points of the compass on the bezel has been painted black in recesses cut into metal. This gives a good 3D effect on the bezel.
Half way down the crown stalk, Seiko has cut a singular groove and painted it black. Although not written anywhere, I believe Seiko adopted the same visual warning cues used by Orient for its M-Force diving models. If the line is beyond the protective slipway or the small crown guard, it implies that the crown has not been properly screwed down.
As highlighted earlier, replacement straps should be in the 22 mm category. Its good that the lugs have straight through pinholes to ease strap replacement. In the photo below, you can see the protection provided by the protective slipway as well as the small crown guard. Note the crown head is devoid of any markings.
