The Seiko 5 Sports activities Denham Restricted Version SRPL35 (or SBSA281) is a restricted version of two,000 watches. The basics of this fusion watch will be traced again to the well-known SKX collection, and the main points are completed in shades of indigo. There are many jeans-like hues on the bezel, dial, and strap. And in case you’re on the lookout for the Denham brand, check out the 12 o’clock place. The upside-down equilateral triangle exhibits the emblem very subtly.
For individuals who aren’t into blue denims or could not know this, English denims maker Jason Denham based his eponymous premium denim model in Amsterdam in 2008. Certainly one of Denham’s taglines is “The Fact is within the Particulars,” and the emblem is a pair of scissors. The main points and the scissors additionally made their option to the Seiko 5 Sports activities Denham Restricted Version SRPL35.
Seiko 5 Sports activities Denham Restricted Version: touches of crimson and a pair of scissors…however no denim
Let’s look at the main points that make this Seiko 5 Sports activities a particular mannequin. The seconds hand will get its shade from the attribute crimson buttons discovered on Denham’s Made in Japan denims. While you take a look at the rehaut surrounding the radiant, darkish indigo dial, additionally, you will discover a jeans-stitching-like sample. After which there’s the actual stitching on the strap. I’ve nothing in opposition to the stitching. It’s the strap I’ve an issue with. I feel you already noticed why: the watch comes on a NATO-style strap manufactured from nylon as a substitute of Denham denim.
Why doesn’t the Seiko 5 Sports activities Denham Restricted Version come on a denim strap? It could possibly be as a result of Seiko will launch 2,000 items, and there’s simply not sufficient (spare) Denham denim for straps. But it surely may be a matter of value. The Seiko 5 Sports activities Denham Restricted Version SRPL35 has a retail worth of €450. Nonetheless, with a strap manufactured from blue denims as a substitute of nylon, the worth might probably have damaged by means of the €500 ceiling. But when that had been the case, the €500+ worth shouldn’t be an issue for denim followers typically and Denham followers specifically.
Premium denim, premium watch
While you browse the Denham catalog, one factor turns into obvious: the model actually is a premium denim maker. Costs begin at €150 for a primary pair of denims. However if you would like Made in Japan selvage denim, just like the Eastwinder Bonsai, the worth is €600. That is denim that can final a lifetime if correctly cared for, similar to a mechanical watch. I assume that greater than 2,000 individuals worldwide have a factor for Japanese-made denim and a smooth spot for watches. At Fratello, we have already got two individuals who qualify, in order that’s simply 1,998 individuals to go. For those who’re prepared to pay a premium for a pair of denims with a sure story, reduce, cloth, and ending, you may also respect the storytelling surrounding a mechanical luxurious watch. However is the Seiko 5 Sports activities Denham Restricted Version such a watch?
Sporting the Seiko 5 Sports activities Denham Restricted Version
For those who’re a watch and denims fan prepared to pay additional for artisanal high quality, inspiring storytelling, and exclusivity, the Seiko 5 Sports activities Denham Restricted Version must be your watch. Since I acknowledge myself within the imaginary particular person, I’ll let you know whether it is. As you would possibly know, I’ve an Oris × Momotaro Divers Sixty-5. It’s a Swiss-made watch paired with a Japanese-made denim strap. Sure, the Oris is 4 occasions dearer than the brand new blue-jeans-themed Seiko 5 Sports activities, however the watch itself is of a better stage in each respect, and, most significantly, it’s worn on a real Momotaro denim strap with the attribute two white stripes because the icing on the cake. The mix of colours and supplies — the bronze bezel resembles the rivets of the denims, as an example — works nicely, and the 2 tales of unique high quality and craftsmanship come collectively compellingly.
Once I take a look at the Seiko 5 Sports activities Denham Restricted Version, I don’t see two worlds merging naturally. The NATO-style nylon strap is the loudest dissonant factor, however the watch itself additionally doesn’t persuade me. To place it not so mildly, the watch will not be premium sufficient to match Denham’s premium denim. Not even the show case again that reads “THE TRUTH IS IN THE DETAILS” makes up for that.
Why not a Prospex mannequin?
The SKX-inspired Seiko 5 Sports activities collection will not be the fitting platform for collaborating with a premium model. There may be definitely one thing particular concerning the SKX line that Seiko launched in 1996. These dive watches that met ISO requirements have a great deal of road cred and served because the gateway to luxurious watches for loads of individuals, together with some members of the Fratello crew. Sure, the SKX007 and SKX009 are two of the preferred entry-level mechanical watches ever produced. However once I take a look at the 2024 Seiko 5 Sports activities Denham Restricted Version, I see a shiny and considerably crude blue watch with a strap that makes it not solely very cumbersome on the wrist but in addition not so cozy. The watch, with its hyperlink to Denham, guarantees you denim and offers you nylon; that’s simply not proper.
Additionally, remember that the Seiko 5 Sports activities could also be an entry-level watch, however Denham will not be entry-level denim. Perhaps selecting a higher-end Prospex mannequin as the place to begin of the collaboration would have led to a extra luxurious watch in the identical spirit as unique artisanal denim. A Prospex Marinemaster 1968 Heritage Diver’s Watch, just like the SLA079, with a denim strap would do the job. And if that €2,900 watch is a bit too costly, the €1,400 SPB453 might do the trick as nicely.
Strap choices and solutions
A attainable denim-themed Prospex would, after all, not come on a metal bracelet however on a denim strap. So it wouldn’t be a faux-denim strap in embossed leather-based such as you’ve seen on the Patek Philippe World Time Date 5330G and Nautilus Self-Winding Chronograph 5980/60G. It additionally wouldn’t be a blue rubber strap with a denim-finish textile inlay, which is what IWC selected for the blue ceramic Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Prime Gun Oceana. As an alternative, I counsel a strap manufactured from actual denim. How about weighty, uncooked denim in a placing indigo shade with selvage keepers and leather-based on the within for much-needed consolation?
What do you assume? Does the Seiko 5 Sports activities Denham Restricted Version SRPL35 communicate to you from both a Seiko- or denim-fanboy perspective? Is that this a main instance of a promising collaboration executed in the absolute best manner? Let me know within the feedback.
