Seiko Unveil Travel Ready 5 Sports GMT SKX Re-Interpretation Collection

The flurry of Seiko releases continues with the new 5 Sports GMT SKX Re-Interpretation. It comes hot on the heels of a range of new Prospex watches like the Heritage Turtle and Hybrid Diver’s. The new watch is a modernisation of the 1990s 5 Sports GMT SKX, which is itself a modernisation of the 1960s 5 Sports GMT, one of the oldest 5 Sports models.

As a GMT, the 5 Sports GMT SKX Re-Interpretation is the only non-diving watch amid Seiko’s new releases. However, it still retains many of the core design elements seen on diving watches, such as the broad bezel, pronounced grip and ultra-legible dial. In fact, the ‘Mikan Orange’ edition SSK005K1 doubles down on its dive watch aesthetic with an orange dial, a colour which is widely regarded as the most readable under water. However, its 42.5mm stainless steel case only has a depth rating of 100m, meaning it’s not really a professional diver.

What the watch is, is an attractive and sporty GMT travel companion. The chunky bezel features a 24-hour scale with day/night split colouring that pairs with a central GMT hand to display the time in a second time zone. The aforementioned ‘Mikan Orange’ edition, which is my favourite, has a black and grey bezel, as does the black dialled ‘Black Grape’ SSK001K1. There’s also the ‘Blueberry’ SSK003K1 which has a blue and black bezel to match its blue dial.

Inside, the watch houses the calibre 4R34, an automatic movement with a 41-hour power reserve. Seiko movements never impress to quite the same degree as some higher end brands but that’s to be expected when accessibility is an important factor. And the 5 Sports GMT SKX Re-Interpretation is highly accessible at £400.