VIDEO: This Seiko 5 Sports collab delivers knockout appeal with Street Fighter’s Ken
The Seiko 5 Sports x STREET FIGHTER V Editions were one of the feel-good highlights of 2020. Taking the tried-and-true template of the 5 Sports collection and combining it with one of the most successful fighting game series in history proved a winning combo – both for watch collectors and fans of the combat franchise. Seiko released six different references, each a nod to one of the main characters in the game: Blanka, Ryu, Chun-Li, Guile, Zangief and, of course, Ken. The Ken edition is a particular eye-catcher with a fully black case that contrasts well with the gold crown, outer bezel, and hands, that reflect the character’s distinctive blonde hair. In a nod to his uniform, the textile strap is bright red, matching the dial and bezel highlights, making the watch a coherent tribute to the muscle-bound warrior. To further deepen the connection to the character, Ken’s special move “Shoryuken” is also printed on the caseback. With 100m of water resistance, and powered by the automatic 4R36 movement, the 42.5mm case size is thoroughly wearable and would make for a reliable if slightly flamboyant daily watch. Seiko 5 Sports SRPF20K Ken price and availability: The Seiko 5 Sports SRPF20K…
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BOLDR is a well-established microbrand with a strong following, which we covered earlier this year in a story on their tough, keenly priced Venture titanium field watch. We suspect there might be something new coming in January (hint!) but, for the moment, let’s take a look at the rugged BOLDR Odyssey Freediver that’s recently been released in five fresh versions. The Freediver is a cool diver’s watch at a perfectly sized 40mm with a 14mm thickness and BOLDR’s first custom 316L steel bracelet. Even from the dark stealthy teaser shots, the watch’s tough, angular shape immediately strikes you, with the strong dynamic of the downturned lugs with their intricate side bevel catching the eye. For a small brand like BOLDR, the quality of the case work and distinctive design suggests this diver will punch hard above its price point. To accentuate the angular, bead blasted case design, the lugs and crown guards have polished bevels that’ll give you a flash of reflection in the light for a signature BOLDR move. The large screw-in crown has an engraved logo, and a groove cut into the side, echoing the design of the technical diver’s bezel. All the Freedivers come on a bead-blasted…
Since its release, the Rado Captain Cook line has provided watch buyers with a robust option in the dive watch category at a pleasingly approachable price. The watches boast ceramic bezels, 300m water-resistant cases of varying materials, plus movements that last longer than many of their more expensive competitors. Yet despite such attributes, the Captain Cook manages to keep its costs down. The introduction of a new colour configuration into the mix – the Rado Captain Cook Bronze Burgundy – is likely to only enhance the watch’s heady appeal. When Rado developed this red/burgundy configuration of the watch, Rado CEO Adrian Bosshard realised there was a perfect group to pre-launch this unique and eye-catching watch with. RedBar is a group of watch collectors and enthusiasts that meets regularly in NYC and the red tones of this watch made this a fitting match given the group’s colourful name. This led to a partnership where the watch pre-launched exclusively to the RedBar group for two weeks, with a branded travel folio, bundled leather strap, plus a special gift – a branded watch winder! Fortunately for buyers outside of RedBar, the watch is also available in the same build and format – but…
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 is a definite contender for “The Only Watch You’ll Ever Need” category. With its classic dark blue sunray dial, the intrinsic quality that resonates within any Rolex case is blatantly obvious in the Oyster Perpetual, even at this relatively accessible price point. Although whether the actual watch is accessible at your local AD may prove a different story … But if you can’t get your hands on one or fancy something a little bit different, what are your alternatives that deliver the same qualities – namely that special combo of formality with everyday wearability not to mention a beguiling blue dial? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered … Grand Seiko SBGR321 With the shapely legacy of the distinctive Grand Seiko case, the SBGR321 offers serious competition to the OP’s charms. A chunky 40mm case with the classic broad shoulders of the Grand Seiko automatics, it struts into the game with a flash of Zaratsu polishing. The striking blue dial is part of the 60th anniversary editions of Grand Seiko, so you might have to get to your nearest AD at a brisk pace. But it’ll certainly be well worth the hustle. As Nick put it…
Seiko has by no means had a quiet year, but there was one collection that demanded attention. The all new Seiko 5 Sports x Street Fighter V Editions turned heads for all the right reasons, taking inspiration from the legendary fighting game, and turning six of the main characters into watch designs. These fighters included Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Guile, Zangief and, last but certainly not least, the green machine himself, Blanka. Like the rest of the collection, the Blanka edition uses the typical Seiko 5 Sports template as a starting point, measuring 42.5mm in diameter, housing the automatic 4R36 movement and offering a solid 100m of water resistance. Where this edition stands out from the rest, however, is the bright green and orange lashings found across the watch that match Blanka’s larger-than-life character. The streaks of electricity running through the bezel (and the whirlpool dial) are a nod to Blanka’s special move, “Electric Thunder”, while the hour markers are inspired by his razor-sharp teeth. The edges of the strap and the minute track are both bright orange, in reference to his almost fluro hair. What a fighter, and what a watch to honour him! Seiko 5 Sports SRPF23K1 Blanka price…
Is this the perfect everyday tool watch from the Zaratsu wizards? I am seriously baffled by the Grand Seiko SBGX343. This seems to be nothing less than a dynamic amalgamation of our favourite design traits from Grand Seiko and a prominent Swiss crowned supplier of largely unavailable cyclopsed divers’ watches. Our Japanese friends have managed to pull this feat off without a hint of homage, while exuding a wholesome daily watch-vibe with contemporary wrist presence. To top it off it is powered by the quartz perfection of their 9F61 calibre. The case is recognisable from the sporty SBGV243, characterised by its purist tool image and yellow popping details and stitches on the fabric strap. This, however, is pure monochrome, and could be touted as Grand Seiko’s answer to the Explorer and Milgauss in one, but within a much sharper, tough-as-hell angular case. I can stare at that case side/lug transition for hours – a beautifully horizontal brush on the case side that ends in a hallelujah-inspiring drilled lug end, a lug that has an impossibly perfect crease where it swoops down, creating an incredible dynamic where it meets the polished bevel of the top of the case. A narrow band…
What were Thor’s 3 favourite watches of 2020? On a length-to-difficulty ratio, this piece ranks right up there in the difficulty stakes. Seriously, how am I supposed to sum up my three favourites of the whole year? In this bastard 12 months of lockdowns and cancelled holidays, there has been a deluge of delights from Switzerland, Japan and Germany. Suffice to say, once again this will be pure fantasy in terms of budget, but what the hell. We are allowed to dream, so dream on watch lovers! My vivid dreams are filled with grail pieces from Greubel Forsey, H. Moser & Cie. and an understated Longines, how about yours? Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1 With the name Greubel Forsey I just have to add two words: Hand and Made. The End. Sorry, that was too easy, but honestly, there is a reason this has popped up on my list of favourites this year, and in my best dials of 2020 piece here. Not that I ever doubt their genius, but here Greubel Forsey has managed to create pure horological poetry through craftsmanship and methodology of the 18th and 19th century, resulting in what is a deeply thought-provoking project, involving 6000…
Modern life is increasingly stressful. The incessant buzz of notifications from your mobile and laptop can make one yearn for simpler times. Amid such craziness, one way to restore a vague sense of calm is by handwinding your watch. There is something strangely reassuring about twiddling the crown and feeling the gears engage and the resistance of the spring slowly tighten. Indeed, this small act of winding your watch can help nudge you into a more tranquil frame of mind. When it comes to hand-wound chronographs, one notable movement is the Sellita SW510, a great value Swiss bi-compax calibre. Here are just a few of its recent iterations. Hanhart 417 ES With two strong reissues this year, Hanhart has raised the game for vintage pilot’s watches. The tough-as-nails, battle-ready 417 ES was known for being standard equipment for German military pilots in the 1950s. In fact, the name for the German forces, “Bundeswehr”, served to christen the comfortable cuff-like “Bund” strap. We first saw the 417 ES in this bronze version for Revolution, on the wrist of our own writer Zach, and then the picture-perfect steel version. With its history infused with aerial adventures and, unexpectedly, off-road motorcycle racing on…