Fans rejoice as news is released that Seiko has extended its partnership with Supercars. 2023 marked 10 years of the iconic partnership and the latest agreement has named Seiko as the Official Timepiece of the Repco Supercars Championship including the Seiko 5 Sports watch tower which will continue to reside at the pit exit at all Supercar events. The three Seiko Supercars Collaboration Limited Edition watches are available now at Shiels.
Managing Director of Seiko Australia, Yuki Suganuma says “time is, of course, critical in motorsport, so to continue our involvement in the sport and the top racing category in the corner of the world is a fantastic opportunity.”
“In addition, we are looking forward to our new limited edition Supercars Seiko 5 Sports watch going on sale in April,” he continues. This brings us to discuss the three exciting new Seiko Supercars models.
Overview:
Seiko SRPJ95K
To begin, let's take a look at the first thing that you will see when you receive this timepiece, and that is the box. In classic Seiko Supercars style, this is no everyday watch box, it in itself is a piece of art! The top of the box features a shiny car rim with a clear window, giving you a sneak peak into the watch and its components that lie inside. The silver sheen of the design really stands out on the otherwise black box and creates a sleek, and smart design that we know fans are going to love. It’s components like this that really add to the experience of owning one of these watches. The front of the box is complete with the Seiko logo and a simple button that lets you open the box to reveal your timepiece.
Taking a look inside the box, we can see metal hinges along with high-quality inner material with pops of red which is a fun addition. From a bird's eye view, we can see the watch on the left-hand side, sitting snug on a cushion that helps to keep the piece in shape. Next to the watch, buyers get an official certificate of authenticity including a Limited Edition number. Below these two items, we see the additional strap that comes with the timepiece.
Now to take a dive into the watch itself. At first glance, it's a stunning timepiece, and the iconic red and black design is still just as effective. As it comes, the watch features a metal bracelet with a brush black finish that ties in perfectly to the case and creates a professional and sleek look. However, for those who prefer a softer band, you can interchange the bracelet for the black silicone alternative. I quite like the silicone version as it has a nice braided-like finish that effortlessly matches the backdrop of the dial. Both bracelets have their benefits, and I think with this one it comes down to personal preference about which one you choose.
The dial balances the tri-colour palette of black, white and red perfectly, and all aspects of the watch are completely legible. A black bezel has white writing with a red section ranging from 12 to 4, and this is brought down close to the dial. The wide bezel ensures that the timepiece has that iconic Seiko 5 look that fans are really wanting to continue seeing.
A black checkered background covers the dial, a design choice that I really enjoy. It reflects nicely in the light, and takes inspiration from the tire patterns of the Supercars. It’s nice to see the combination of Supercar elements subtly alive within the timepiece.
Some other nice additions are the white hour markers and hands that contrast easily against the black as well as a red second hand and the day and date display that sits at three o’clock. Just above the hands at 12, we see the Seiko logo and below that is the ‘automatic’ symbol that lets us know that the timepiece is fitted with reliable and high-quality Seiko automatic movements.
This exciting release takes the Seiko Supercars watches to new heights and is a fitting release amongst the celebration of their extended partnership. There will be 2,023 pieces worldwide and each watch comes with the special edition box and an additional silicone strap. Serial selection is not possible and the watches will be sent at random. The watch will retail for $725 and limited pieces will be available at Shiels.
Seiko SRPJ97K & SRPJ97K-2
Along with this watch, there were two other releases as well. The Seiko SRPJ97K Supercars Sports Collaboration Mens Watches offer a more affordable option with all your favourite features. Looking at the dial, we’re treated to the same chequered backdrop with red and black bezel as the Seiko SRPJ95K.
However, these models take a simpler approach to the watch design and boast a minimalistic silicone band that is comfortable for all day wear. The first model features a black band, while the second model has a bold red band. Both colour choices have a different feel, and it’s personal choice about which you prefer more. The Seiko SRPJ97K-1 and Seiko SRPJ97K-2 are available online at Shiels now and retail for $625.
As a thoughtful gesture, Suganuma has added that “To show our thanks for the amazing people who work trackside at Supercars events, one official and one volunteer at each event during the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship season will be awarded a Supercars Seiko 5 Sports watch for their exceptional work.”
If you're keen to get your hands on one of these amazing new Supercar timepieces, then be quick because they're limited in quantity! Find them online now and be apart of the Seiko Supercars community.
