Some watches grow on you. Others you grow with. For me, the Seiko Presage Style60s series has always felt a little stuck in the middle. I’ve tried to love them—the vintage nods, the clean layouts—but I’ve never quite been sold. That said, this latest trio—SRPL71, SRPL73, and SRPL75—might be the best-looking batch yet.
You still get the same compact 39.5mm case from last year’s SRPL07 and SRPL09 models, which were… let’s call them controversial, thanks to the oddball 4:30 date window. Thankfully, Seiko’s moved the date to a proper 6 o’clock position this time around, framed in metal for a much cleaner, more balanced look. It’s a small fix, but it makes a big difference.
The dials also feel more considered. We’re talking sector-style layouts with a recessed ring under the applied markers and a horizontal brushed finish across the center. It adds a level of detail that wasn’t there before—something tactile and thoughtfully layered instead of just “retro for retro’s sake.”
Color-wise, there’s a lot more fun in the mix now. SRPL71 goes minty with Ice Green and a dark green bezel, and it looks surprisingly wearable in the press photos. SRPL73, with its Silvery Violet dial and faded grey bezel, is the unexpected one—just quirky enough to keep me interested. And then there’s SRPL75, which throws subtlety out the window with a yellow dial, brown bezel, and matching two-tone leather strap. It’s a loud combo, but at least it’s committing to the bit.
Still, I can’t shake the feeling that some design choices just don’t make sense. The aluminum bezel has a 60-minute scale, but it doesn’t rotate. At all. It’s purely aesthetic, which is… fine, I guess? But it leaves me wondering why it’s even there. It looks cool, but it doesn’t do anything. I can’t sit still, I have chronic ants in my pants, and I need a rotating bezel I can fidget with, dammit!
Mechanically, we’re back to basics. The 4R35 movement ticks away inside—automatic, 3Hz, 40-hour power reserve. You get a display caseback, an openworked gilt rotor, and the usual reliability you get from the 4R. Nothing exciting, but nothing to complain about either.
The bracelet gets a mild refresh too. It still looks like a 5-link but is actually a 3-piece construction with brushed surfaces instead of the polished links from last year. It’s a better fit visually, especially with the more toolish vibe this round is giving off.
At £500, they land squarely in familiar Seiko territory—affordable, decent value, and designed for the collector who doesn’t mind a few quirks.
I’m still not convinced these are for me, but they’re undeniably a step forward. Cleaner, sharper, more self-assured. Maybe not love at first sight—and to be fair, I’ve probably been giving these a harder time in my head than they deserve. I’ve been tough on Seiko in general over the past few years. Maybe it’s time I get some real wrist time with one of these, preferably through a review sample. That is, assuming Seiko ever decides we’re worthy.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.