Our Thoughts On the Kosuke Kawamura Seiko 5 Sports Collaboration SRPJ41 & SRPJ43

The new Seiko 5 Sports Kosuke Kawamura SRPJ41 & SRPJ43 duo represents a brilliant blast from the past with a particularly unique feel to it. The Seiko 5 sports collection from which these two new watches draw inspiration holds its head high as one of the most classic watch collections out there. Seeing it double as an equally elegant canvas for even more watches to come through is indeed special. The Seiko 5 sports collection has been used to resurrect vintage elements, but this time, we see it give rise to a Seiko collage, and the sheer aesthetics behind it make us even appreciate this limited edition even more.

Kosuke Kawamura x Seiko 5 Sports Collaboration : SRPJ41 & SRPJ43 both paired with spotless fitted Endlink Stainless s Steel watch bands

Now, let's delve right into what it brings to the table and the brain(s) behind it. When the name Kosuke Kawamura is mentioned and looked up, you see that of a famous Japanese collage artist and graphic designer with a renowned collage-based style of artwork that has elevated him to collaborations with top brands since the early 2000s. A seasoned professional, The Hiroshima-born artist has decided to partner with Seiko on this set of watches. You can tell his artistic sense made him choose the Seiko 5 sports as his canvas considering the large range of dynamics the collection gives for interpretation.

Left :Seiko 5 Sports Kosuke Kawamura SRPJ41, Right：1970s Seiko Time Sonar 7015-6010, both have translucent colored dials render the mechanics of the day and date discs being visible.

Following the trend of many that have come before it, these models come in a 42.5mm case made out of stainless steel, with a compact 46mm lug-to-lug measurement that is complimented with a hardlex crystal. We see both watches rely on the rather conspicuous 4R36 Calibre, an automatic entry-level movement with 3Hz frequency, and its 41-hour power reserve is as effective as ever.

Seiko Kosuke Kawamura SRPJ41 with orange/green scheme on its dial limited in 3,000 pcs.

You would expect a watch with an artist's heavy input to bear many artistic traits and signature features, and this duo certainly has that. Leading the way are the colors it comes in, the bezel's insert, and the dials. The dials of these timepieces come in beautiful two-color combinations. The SRPJ43 plays host to a bold and fresh grey and green hue combination on the dial, while the SRPJ41 version has an orange and green scheme on its dial.

Seiko Kosuke Kawamura SRPJ43 with gray/green hue combination limited in 500 pcs.

This two-tone translucent nature of the dial's colors renders the mechanics of the day and date discs to be visible, and instead of the "Time sonar" print, there is a minimal "Automatic" print stamped on its surface. With the bezel, Kawamura uses a retro touch by referencing the vintage Seiko 5 Rally Diver. The bezel's insert is struck in aluminum with silver and black areas coming together to form a contrasting yet colorful combination.

As much as this watch is placed firmly under the SEIKO umbrella, we are looking at timepieces with Kawamura's imprints all around. The features on this timepiece make for a great representation of the Japanese-infused pop culture, and considering his history, it only makes even more sense. Right from the early 2000s, the results of his collaborations have been consumer products engrained in Japanese pop culture and key to its propagation. From T-shirts to jackets to books down to DVDs and CDs, he has creatively introduced his idea of irony into pop culture. Through this, we have witnessed a unique signature style of creating combined images from a mixture of alternating shredded images.

Kosuke Kawamura, the master of Japanese collage artist and graphic designer

Born in 1979, he has been around for a while, and his works haven't gone without recognition. Those works have propelled him to bag key posts, one of which is the creative director of UT, a sub-brand of Uniqlo. One particularly cool feature of these models is the rather discreet concentric texture in the translucent plate, creating a cool blurry effect reminiscent of Kawamura's shredded art.

Suppose you are new to his works and possibly never heard of him before. Then, this model's particularly calculated approach is right on cue to make you a fan in no time. It not only creates a refreshing feel on your wrist with its 3-link brushed stainless steel watch band, but it also comes with a deft see-through case back that has the artist's signature on it, a move that will most certainly excite long-standing fans of his.

Seiko Kosuke Kawamura SRPJ41 accompanied by the easy release FKM rubber watch band 'Crisscross '

Seiko has had a splendid 2022, with most of their releases being successful. While some might not have wanted it to be a Limited Edition, you cannot help but appreciate the eclectic nature of the 3,500 pieces a number that accounts for the number of this model’s watches released. The SRPJ43 (black and teal version) has only 500 pieces released, with the orange-and-teal SRPJ41 coming in a bit more, with 3000 pieces.

The former SRPJ43 is retailing at USD490 and delivered with a One-piece Nylon strap for emphasis, will only be available at SEIKO boutiques and sensibly so considering the number of pieces released. At the same time, the SRPJ41 is available to the larger market and retails at USD440. The current market outlook is that these prices won't remain this way for long, with a surge expected, so if you have eyes on these art collectibles that double as watches, now is the time to lay your hands on them.

The Kosuke Kawamura SRPJ43 paired nicely with leather fused FKM rubber Hybrid watch strap

Full Watch Specifications.

Seiko 5 Sports Kosuke Kawamura Limited Edition

Watch Case:

   -        Dia. 42.5mm x Thickness 13.4mm
   -        46mm lug   -to   -lug
   -        Stainless steel case
   -        crown at 4 o'clock
   -        Hardlex crystal
   -        screwed case back with see   -through window
   -        unidirectional bezel
   -        100m water   -resistant

Movement:

   -        Calibre 4R36
   -        Automatic
   -        24 jewels
   -        3Hz frequency
   -        41h power reserve
   -        hacking seconds
   -        hours, minutes, seconds, day   -date.

The Dial:

   -        Grey/Green on SRPJ43 and Orange/Green on SRPJ41
   -        Transparent, partially tinted dial revealing the day   -date wheel, inspired by 1970s Seiko Time Sonar    - new vintage   -like hands with LumiBrite – new inner flange with a precision track.

Price:

   -        USD440, SRPJ43 Limited Edition of 500 pieces
   -        USD490, SRPJ41 Limited Edition of 3000 pieces

External References:

1. Seiko Releases Two Limited Editions In Collaboration With Artist Kosuke Kawamura
2. The Time Sonar-Inspired Seiko 5 Sports Kosuke Kawamura SRPJ41 & SRPJ43
3. A Closer Look At The Seiko 7015-6010 Time Sonar Chronograph

Written by Victor, images by Toni and others as noted