To be a rock and not to roll

 

The first ever Seiko 5 Sports watch from 1968.

"Life is not fair!" - said the Gen-Y kid the other day. And I couldn't agree more. Those born post 1980s have missed the best of the music, the best of analogue photography, the best of analogue hi-fi gear, and obviously, the best of analogue watches. While we grew up on Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, they listened to Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, A-ha, Pet Shop Boys, Boyz 2 Men - the wishy-washy 'fake boyz' junk. We played long play records on Technic, Pioneer and Marantz, they wore brand-less Walkmans. We dreamed of Nikon FM2, they've jumped straight into 'pixels'. And while every baby boomer wore a cool looking, chunky analogue three hand SEIKO automatic, the best thing horology offered to them in 1985 was a plastic fake-art battery operated Swatch watch. Today, a "Tribute to a golden era" means a nostalgic karaoke bar in Manilla, a visit to a Hong Kong camera shop, or a junk mall in Tokyo's Akihabara where one can still find mint, unused, full plastic wrap hi-fi gear - the kind of stuff one would be too scared to plug in. Yet unlike music, hi-fi gear and cameras, watch enthusiasts can actually 'go back in time' - thanks to SEIKO re-issues. Yes we are talking about the brand spanking new watches that look almost identical to those mechanical models issued in the 1960s and 70s. Except for one thing: they are mechanically much better than the originals, and probably more affordable too.

Here is a perfect example: the just released Seiko SPORTS 55th Anniversary. I mean, what can I say other than - wow. Price? $595. Classic dial and hands, the mesmerizing blue 'sports' line. (You probably don't remember this, but that blue line was often the reason why a buyer would opt for this 'sports' model over any other 'standard' Seiko). And yes, the original domed hardlex crystal and skinny black bezel are featured. The 40+ hour power reserve is something we take for granted, as well as 10Bar water resistance. Which is fair enough. But the main reason why you should invest in this piece is simple: because you either missed the original one, or have never had the chance to invest in one, because you were born too late. With only 3 pieces in stock, I don't need to beg you to snatch this watch. But I will: I really don't want you to miss one of the most exciting new re-issues of 2023. Quite frankly, you may not have a third chance - because life is not that generous, even when 'fair'.