New Releases

This is where it all began for so many of us—the Seiko 5 field watch. Looking back, I can’t even remember how many times I had recommended those old little SNKs to people seeking their first mechanical watch. And after getting into watches seriously, I must’ve read that old Worn & Wound review a million times. Oddly enough, Seiko quietly discontinued these a while ago along with watches like the popular 7S26-equipped SKX divers. And even though we got watches like the new Seiko 5 SBSA in 39mm, they just didn’t satisfy the way the older SNK 800 series did. Now, Seiko has revealed the new Seiko 5 Sports Midfield collection, which brings us back to the classic feel of those original starter watches. In 36mm, the look of these leaves me feeling nostalgic and I can’t wait for them to hit the USA market. The new Seiko 5 Midfield collection basically takes the newer SBSA watches that came after the recent Seiko 5 revamp and shrinks them down to 36mm. There are five new models but for the purposes of this article, we’ll be looking at the three field watch-looking models; the SRPJ81, SRPJ83, and SRPJ85. I’m mostly going this route because these three are available on nylon straps and there’s one model with a bracelet. And I think they’ll be the most popular versions. Even though they don’t technically have the same SNK-type dial, it looks like the feel is still there, especially with that fully bead blasted case. Also, I can’t wait to see how these wear at 36mm, since the older SNK versions came in at 37mm-ish. Besides the 36mm measurement, the new Seiko 5 Midfield watches measure 44.4mm lug to lug and have a thickness of 12.5mm. You can rock these on 18mm straps, just…