Seiko Companions With “Avenue Fighter” Collection For Six Restricted-Version Seiko 5 Fashions

When the reinvigorated Seiko 5 Sports activities lineup was unveiled in late 2019, this new entry-level mechanical sequence for the model was meant to be each streamlined and infinitely variable. Whereas each Seiko 5 Sports activities mannequin follows the long-lasting components of the now-discontinued SKX diver sequence, the coats of paint on high of this form will be virtually something, starting from basic blue dial sports activities designs to aggressive blacked-out streetwear types. It’s a web page that may have come from the unique Swatch handbook, and an excellent thought for attracting all kinds of younger first-time mechanical patrons with a rainbow of fashion choices on high of a recognizable base. As this line continues, the catalog of Seiko 5 Sports activities choices repeatedly adjustments, bringing new choices for patrons with the frequency of a fast-fashion model. The most recent set of releases on this development is likely one of the flashiest to this point, pairing Seiko with the long-lasting “Avenue Fighter” combating recreation franchise for a sequence of limited-edition fashions based mostly round a few of its most well-known characters. The Seiko 5 Sports activities Avenue Fighter V Restricted Version sequence consists of six fashions starting from clear and sporty to outrageously wild, every impressed by a basic “Avenue Fighter” character together with Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Guile, Zangief, and Blanka.

The Seiko 5 Sports activities Avenue Fighter V Restricted Version SRPF19, or the “Ryu,” is the best and most classically styled of the lot. Like its stablemates, it encompasses a 42.5mm stainless-steel case in basic Seiko diver kind with 100 meters of water resistance, however the design is crammed with touches that mirror the Japanese judo lineage of its inspiration. The bezel, for instance, encompasses a pink and black faux-weathered sample harking back to Ryu’s sparring gloves, whereas the show caseback is printed with the management inputs to carry out his signature “Hadouken” assault. The off-white dial provides a number of distinctive tweaks from customary 5 Sports activities fashions, together with distinctive rectangular utilized indices and a simplified kanji inscription at 9 o’clock lifted instantly from the character’s gloves. A leather-lined white canvas strap completes the package deal, with a texture impressed by a judo gi uniform. Like all fashions within the 5 Sports activities sequence, the SRPDF19 is powered by the manufacture 4R36 computerized motion, providing a 41-hour energy reserve at a 21,600 bph beat price.

Subsequent within the sequence is the Seiko 5 Sports activities Avenue Fighter V Restricted Version SRPF20, nicknamed the “Ken.” Impressed by Ken, Ryu’s brash, aggressive American coaching companion, the SRPF20 is of course a bit increased impression visually than its counterpart. The black PVD case, gold PVD crown and bezel, and the black and pink bezel insert instantly set the “Ken” off visually with nods to his trademark golden-blond hair and pink judo gi. The dial continues this development, with gold tone arms and dial textual content contrasted with a vibrant pink rehaut. The basic utilized diver indices and lume fill are bent to the colour scheme with black pigmented lume utilized to pink indices, whereas etched pink accents traverse the dial in a sample impressed by Ken’s shirt. Just like the SRPF19, the “Ken” encompasses a caseback etching of an iconic character transfer sequence, on this case the strikes required for Ken’s spinning “Shoryuken” punch. The SRPF20 wraps issues up with a leather-lined pink canvas strap, harkening again to Ken’s distinctive pink uniform.

It’s with the Seiko 5 Sports activities Avenue Fighter V Restricted Version SRPF17, or “Chun-Li,” that the designs start to go from daring however cohesive to louder and a contact extra literal. Chun-Li’s Chinese language silk gown is the largest visible affect right here, with a possible divisive blue bezel with stylized yellow Roman numerals echoing that iconic gown’ sample. Likewise, the dial goes for a jewel-tone sunburst blue, whereas the diver indices are changed with a spiky set of utilized metal indices echoing Chun-Li’s bracelets. The caseback printing this time round is the motion controls for the character’s signature “Spinning Chicken Kick.” The strap is an actual spotlight of the “Chun-Li,” with a cobalt blue alligator sample accented by a twisting dragon motif on its internal lining.

Main Guile has at all times been one of the visually distinctive characters within the “Avenue Fighter” franchise. With outsized biceps, camo fatigues, a large American flag tattoo, and that iconic comically tall flat-top hairdo, there needs to be no scarcity of visible cues for a character-inspired design to play with. The Seiko 5 Sports activities Avenue Fighter V Restricted Version SRPF21, or “Guile,” concurrently performs issues remarkably secure whereas including a handful of much less instantly recognizable cues. The usual case is completed with Seiko’s proprietary black super-hard coating for a stealthy navy look and topped with a daring graphic countdown bezel insert in olive drab. The dial additionally provides some recognizably tactical touches, with a camo sample inexperienced dial floor and area watch model Arabic numerals. Even the lume fill of the arms is rendered in deep olive. The extra idiosyncratic parts, nevertheless, come at 6 and 9 o’clock. Guile’s flight patch, which not often reveals up on the character in-game, is made into an outsized 6 o’clock marker, whereas the 9 o’clock marker takes the form of a canine tag from Guile’s barely talked about good friend Charlie Nash. The caseback print, then again, does zero in on one of many character’s most recognizable parts — the transfer command for the highly effective “Sonic Growth.” Rounding out this military-flavored variant is a deep brown leather-based strap with white distinction stitching.

On the earth of “Avenue Fighter,” few combatants are larger or bolder than the Russian wrestler Zangief. An immense bear of a person with a boisterous character to match, Zangief hardly cuts a refined determine. The Seiko 5 Sports activities Avenue Fighter V Restricted Version SRPF24, or “Zangief,” is a suitably daring interpretation of the character and one of many extra visually cohesive entries within the lineup. The case is completed in gold PVD, with a studded PVD gold bezel insert that echoes the character’s gold championship belt. For the dial, Seiko opts of a mixture of utilized gold-tone indices and handsomely daring Arabic numerals with excessive impression black pigmented lume. The crimson pink dial is stamped with a rippling sample, referencing Zangief’s highly effective spinning “Cyclone Lariat” transfer. An fascinating and uncommon addition for Seiko right here is the cyclops magnifier over the day/date window, giving an additional punch of visible impression. It’s becoming right here, as properly, that one of many greatest combatants in “Avenue Fighter” receives one of many largest and most literal visible callouts, because the yellow and pink two-tone NATO strap instantly copies the design of Zangief’s wristbands.

The ultimate inspiration for this restricted sequence is the weird and beastly jungle creature Blanka. To correctly seize Blanka’s wild look and electrical energy, the Seiko 5 Sports activities Avenue Fighter V Restricted Version SRPF23 “Blanka” brings a chaotic mixture of visible parts along with an incredibly vibrant orange and inexperienced coloration scheme. The case is completed in Seiko’s black super-hard coating, then topped with a inexperienced and yellow bezel insert that includes a lightning sample evoking Blanka’s “Electrical Thunder” transfer. The brilliant inexperienced dial is pressed with a swirling sample meant to echo the character’s spinning assaults, whereas the brand new triangular indices echo his razor-sharp enamel. Just like the “Zangief,” the “Blanka” opts for a two-tone NATO strap, rendered right here in inexperienced and orange.

With the Seiko 5 Sports activities Avenue Fighter V Restricted Version sequence, the model has added a dynamic new companion to its ongoing efforts to diversify this line. All six variants of the Seiko 5 Sports activities Avenue Fighter V Restricted Version can be restricted to 9,999 items every and can be obtainable on-line and thru approved sellers in September 2020 at an MSRP of €450. For extra info, go to the model’s web site.