Much of what continues to make Seiko an enduring standard for mechanical timepieces the world over began in 1963 with the introduction of the Sportsmatic 5. Practical and robust, it was built to withstand the rigors of daily wear by meeting five fundamental requirements: a self-winding movement, a recessed crown at four, a shared day/date window, water resistant construction, and a durable (typically stainless steel) case. This utilitarian approach did not, however, require a compromise on aesthetics. Classic midcentury layouts with thoughtful features meant an end result that was as useful as it was attractive. The Sportsmatic 5 was an instant success, and quickly became a best seller worldwide. By 1966, it was reported that the number of Seiko “Five” models exported from Japan exceeded the total number of self-winding watches in all of Switzerland.

This Sportsmatic 5 from December of 1965 is packed with clever details and sound reliability. The case architecture is clean and traditional with stout beveled lugs and a vertical brush finish that’s topped with a slant fluted bezel. The crosshair dial is a matte silver sunburst beneath a glossy lacquer finish, and it’s framed by a clean polished rehaut. A framed day/date window is positioned at three, and just four lines of clean print adorn the dial. The eye catcher here is the printed orange and black “5” badge at center. The hour and minute hands are tapered and beveled batons, and counting the seconds is a long and slender sweep. The etched case back shows some wear, but has retained the “Dolphin” motif and markings, and is free of any tool marring. It’s unpolished and completely original aside from a replacement crystal, and post service, it’s keeping time to within a few seconds per day. The date can be quick set by depressing the crown, and the day is slow set in either direction. It comes attached to the original “Beads of Rice” bracelet for a high-casual finish that’s a dream on the wrist. A milestone in Seiko history, the Sportsmatic 5 is proof that a grounded approach to reliability and design is just as appreciated some 60 years on. This one is sure to be a timeless addition to any rotation.

Original Seiko “Beads of Rice” Bracelet

Serviced- 1/26

Diameter- 36.5mm

Lugs- 19mm