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I go hands-on with the new Seiko x Kentaro Yoshida 5 Sports Limited Edition to see how its bold, monochromatic design comes to life. From intricate cloud motifs to playful skeletal artwork, this timepiece brings a unique blend of street art and watchmaking to the wrist!

Late last month, Seiko unveiled its latest 5 Sports collection, one created in conjunction with the famed street artist Kentaro Yoshida. Watch Advice had the chance to attend the unveiling of this latest collection, where Yoshida himself was present to introduce not only the different timepieces but also the artworks behind each watch.

Related Reading: A Wonderful Night Celebrating Seiko Watches and Kentaro Yoshida

Seiko has been doing exceptionally well with some of its latest releases. I know I keep raving about it, but their Alpinist Australasian model was one of their best releases of late. A few short months later, Seiko has unveiled another stunning update to one of its other iconic collections, the 5 Sports.

Since its introduction in 1968, the Seiko 5 Sports has been an important collection for the brand and the world of watches. The collection was built on the foundation of the original Seiko 5, which debuted in 1963. When the Seiko 5 was unveiled, it was seen as an affordable model with automatic movement and sleek yet durable styling. A timepiece that was designed for everyday wear. I can certainly attest to this as one of my very first timepeices was a Seiko 5 Sports, a timepiece that I could wear on a daily basis, and one that I found to be not only aesthetically beautiful but also a reliable timekeeper.

Related Reading: Sameera’s Seiko Sports 5 – SRPB89K1 Story

For those that may not know, the “5” in the Seiko 5 Sports represents five key attributes that define the timepiece. These are automatic movement, a date display, water resistance, a recessed crown at 4 o’clock, and a durable case and bracelet. The 5 Sports collection is certainly a favourite among enthusiasts due to the above factors, but also the fact that the watches are affordable, often beating competitors out by quite a margin due to how much value the watch offers for what you pay. Add to this collaborative projects like the Kentaro Yoshida, and it makes for an even more appealing timepiece.

The Seiko 5 Sports x Kentaro Yoshida Limited Edition Collection is presented as three models, reflecting the artist work of Kentaro Yoshida. The timepieces are all vastly different from each other. I think this was a great move by Seiko to offer different and contrasting models within this new collection, as each timepiece provides something truly unique, which will also incidentally appeal to a broader range of audiences.

Before we dive into the watches, however, we need to understand the artist and his work to do the watches and the beautiful dial artwork justice. Kentaro Yoshida is a Japanese-born illustrator and artist renowned for his vibrant murals and illustrations that blend Japanese mythology with Australian beach culture. Kentaro was born and raised in a rural fishing village ion Toyama, Japan. He then moved to Australia at 18 to study English and fully immerse himself in the coastal lifestyle.

Kentaro Yoshida now resides in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, which has greatly influenced the inspiration behind his artwork. Kentaro’s art is characterized by bold line work, quirky characters, and a beachside sense of humour, reflecting his passion for both traditional and digital mediums. His work often features pastel tones and draws inspiration from Japanese comics and manga, resulting in a unique fusion of his cultural heritage and love for the ocean. Another element to his artwork is the use of skeleton figures, often depicted in a humorous manner.

The inspiration behind the artwork for this Seiko 5 Sports collection is nature, combined with Kentaro Yoshida’s signature skeleton figures. The overarching central theme to these timepeices revolves around time’s perpetual cycles: the sun rising and setting, plants blooming and withering, waves continually rolling in and the clouds that drift across the sky. The three new timepieces feature ref. SRPL25K dedicated to the Clouds & Sky, ref. SRPL26K is dedicated to the Sun, Moon & Beach, and ref. SRPL27K is dedicated to Wild Plants & Flowers. The model I’ve had the pleasure of wearing for a few weeks to really get a deep dive into the model is the full-black SRPL25K.

Initial Thoughts On Ref. SRPL25K

If I’m being brutally honest, this full-black option wasn’t my first pick of the three timepeices. When I saw the three models being released through press photos, I personally loved the full gold timepiece referencing the Sun, Moon, & Beach and also the vibrant green dial, which has artwork inspired by wild plants and flowers. I personally love colourful timepieces, so wearing a full black model was certainly out of my comfort zone when it comes to watches.

That being said, stepping out of my comfort zone isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Wearing the full-black model gave me a fresh perspective on stealthy, monochrome designs and helped me appreciate a different side of watch aesthetics. This watch, in particular, is a step up from all-black designs, as you’ll soon see that different lighting conditions allow the timepiece’s subtle artwork to stand out beautifully. This timepiece is a departure from my usual preference for bold colors, but I found that the understated, all-black look can have its versatility and rugged charm.

Steel Case Design

The 42.5mm x 13.4mm stainless steel case design for all three models is the same, with the main point of difference being the colour finishes. The Ref. SRPL25K comes with an entirely blacked-out PVD case with a matte-like finish that still shines in different lighting angles. As with Seiko 5 Sports models, the crown is located at the 4 o’clock position, which crown guards protect.

The case’s matte finish continues onto the bezel, and the knurling is done in the same colour. The bezel insert, however, is different, as the ceramic insert provides a nice polished shine that contrasts against the monochromatic look of the case and bezel edges.

The bezel insert is also where we first see Kentaro Yoshida’s artwork being portrayed on this timepiece. I also think on this timepiece its the artwork that stands out the most, due to the grey tones contrasting against the deep black bezel insert. The artwork on display is clouds, drawn in a very cartoon-like, relaxed manner. On the four quadrants of the bezel (3,6,9 and 12 o’clock), we see four circles seeping behind the clouds. This represents the moon seeping through the clouds on a dark cloudy evening.

Dark Chromatic Dial

The dark, monochromatic dial of the SRPL25K is where this timepiece truly comes to life. At first glance, the blacked-out aesthetic gives it a stealthy appearance, with many of its intricate elements seemingly concealed within the darkness. However, as you take a closer look, the artistry begins to reveal itself—subtle textures, layered details, and hidden design cues emerge, showcasing the depth and creativity behind Kentaro Yoshida’s work.

The outer edge of the dial features an artistic drawing of clouds, mirrored from the one on the bezel. With only half of the cloud appearing on the bezel and the other half on the dial’s outer ring, the design feels like it comes full circle. But the real magic happens when you turn the bezel—suddenly, the clouds seem to float around the dial, adding a dynamic, almost hypnotic effect to the watch!

Kentaro Yoshida’s signature artistic work is apparent at the centre of the dial, where we see a seemingly overjoyed skeletal figure in board shorts running with a surfboard, towards the ocean waves that lie ahead. This skeletal artwork is done on a grainy textured background, which one can assume was done to portray the visual of sandy beaches.

The Seiko 5 Sports day-date feature is retained on this timepiece, and I have to say Seiko has done a great job of making this feature blend in with the dial as much as possible. The date wheel itself is black, while the day and date inscriptions are done in white, which matches the other inscriptions (Seiko logo) on the dial. In other words, this date feature doesn’t feel out of place.

The only hour markers present on these timepeices are the 6 and 12 o’clock indices. These have been filled with a generous amount of SuperLumi-Nova, which gives the watch some low-light presence. I understand why the majority of the hour markers were removed from the dial, as not only would the dial be too busy, but it would also detract the attention away from Kentaro Yoshida’s artwork. The hour and minute hands have also been darkened, which allows them to blend in more easily with the dial, while the white lume second hand adds a nice aesthetic touch to the timepiece. Against the dark chronomatic dial, it stands out quite nicely.

Calibre 4R36 Movement

At the heart of the Seiko 5 Sports x Kentaro Yoshida Limited Edition is the calibre 4R36 movement. Released around 2011, the calibre 4R36 movement is a trusted workhorse movement that Seiko have used time and time again on their signature collections. The model has been used extensively in the Seiko 5 Sports collection, but also in the brand’s Prospex Diver’s models, showing the versatility and durability of the movement.

The main feature of the movement, besides the time functionality, is the day-date mechanism at 3 o’clock. This collection features an open case back, which shows the calibre 4R36 movement, but with a different design compared to other Seiko 5 Sports models. All three models in this latest Kentaro Yoshida collaboration feature tinted casebacks, with each model having different colour tints. This SRPL25K model features a beige coloured tint, which I think works well in still showing the movement underneath. All three models also feature Kentaro Yoshida’s signature artistic logo on the centre of the case back.

How Does It Wear?

With the Seiko 5 Sports x Kentaro Yoshida Limited Edition SRPL25K carrying the same familiar case dimensions of 42.5mm x 13.4mm thickness and 46mm lug-to-lug distance, it wears comfortably well on the wrist, despite its slightly larger footprint on paper. What helps the wearability of this timepiece is the case shape, the curved ligs and also the relatively short lug-to-lug distance.

On my 16.5cm (6.5inch) wrist, the watch doesn’t protrude out. The curved lugs make sure the watch fits snug. This may have been a different case if it was on the bracelet; however, the black silicone strap enhances the wearability of this timepiece. For me, this is a timepiece that is suited more for casual wear. The black silicone strap is very comfortable on the wrist, which in Australia’s current climate seems like the ideal choice to wear during the day.

Given its full-black PVD finish, I expected this model to feel a little more aggressive or even bulky, but in reality, the matte surfaces and subtle contrasts give it a sleek, refined presence. The ceramic bezel insert adds the right amount of shine, breaking up the all-black look while maintaining the stealthy aesthetic.

This timepiece truly comes to life in daylight, especially outdoors. Under direct sunlight, the usually subtle dial elements begin to reveal themselves in striking detail. The clouds on the bezel become more prominent, while the skeletal artwork pops against the black grainy background, adding depth and character to the design. It’s meant to be a fun timepiece, and in the right lighting, it fully embraces its playful, artistic nature.

Final Thoughts

The Seiko 5 Sports x Kentaro Yoshida Limited Edition is a bold and artistic take on the brand’s signature 5 Sports line, offering a unique blend of street art and watchmaking. While I did initially gravitate towards the more colourful models in the collection, when I started to wear this stealthy all-black version, I started to notice its appeal and gained a new-found appreciation for monochromatic designs.

This is also a timepiece that comes to life under different lighting angles, or as mentioned earlier under sunlight. Which is another aspect of the timepiece that I came to like. It’s not a full-black timepiece in the traditional sense, as under light, Kentaro Yoshida’s artwork stands out proudly against the black background. The way the artwork subtly shifts in different lighting conditions adds an unexpected depth, making it a fun piece to wear.

That being said, however, while this watch thrives in casual settings, it might not be the most practical choice as a daily watch. The artistic dial, designed to be the highlight of the watch, does so at the expense of legibility. This makes it a little harder to read the time at a quick glance, especially with the absence of hour indices as well. However, the design intention behind this watch is that it is meant to be a creative, playful and unconventional watch, which I believe the SRPL25K does just that by delivering plenty of personality and character. In the end, this timepiece is about expression and style, and with Kentaro Yoshida’s artwork sitting proudly at the centre, the timepiece in that regard absolutely succeeds.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 42.5mm, 13.4mm thick & 46mm lug-to-lug
• Case Material: Stainless steel black DLC
• Dial: Black grain texture with Kentaro Yoshida artwork
• Crystal: Hardlex Glass
• Water resistance: 100m / 10 Bar
• Movement: Calibre 4R36 automatic operating at (3Hz / 21,600 VpH)
• Power reserve: 41 hrs
• Strap: Black silicone strap

Australian Recommended Retail Price: A$695

Availability: Limited to 500 timepieces. Available now at Seiko boutiques, authorised retailers or online at Seikoboutique.com.au