Gene Kranz and the shield live again – Seiko 5 Sports SRPL91 and SRPL93
Borna BošnjakIf a watch gets bestowed a nickname, you can be pretty sure that it’s a collectible one. Pepsi, Nina Rindt, Willard, Turtle… But have you ever heard of the Gene Kranz? Among the slew of Seikos that are deserving of their nicknames, the Gene Kranz isn’t one that pops up all that often, but its unusual origins are worth exploring. Originating as the Seiko 5 Sports Diver ref. 6119-8460, its white-dialled variant was worn by the flight director for Apollo 13 that gave it its nickname, with a bi-directional, count-up bezel and 70 metres of water-resistance in the recognisable Seiko 5 case. And now, it’s back, as Seiko revives this deep-cut reference from the late 1960s as the Seiko 5 Sports SRPL91 and SRPL93. Can we call him Gene Junior?
The dial
There’s one detail that fervent Seiko fans will notice immediately when looking at the dial, and that’s the return of the “5” shield below the Seiko branding at 12. For quite a few years now, Seiko has preferred the more stylised variant found in the 5KX, but I’m so glad the OG is back. Not only do I think it better fits this vintage revival dial, but it also helps the new SRPL91 and SRPL93 achieve an eerily similar look to their predecessor. The simple, baton handset and stick indices are lifted straight from the 6119-8460, including the charming paddle-tipped seconds hand, though there’s now an additional line of text splitting “water resistant” and “10 bar” into two lines. Just like the original, the day/date window is split in colour, with the day in white and the date in black. I’d usually be the first to complain about not colour-matching this to the dial, but for the sake of historical accuracy, I’ll allow it.
If you want to be as accurate as possible to the source material, you’ll have to go with the silver-dialled Kranz Jr, as that’s the model the man actually wore. Seiko also offers the black SRPL93 variant to match the original colour options of the 6119-8460. The dome of the Hardlex crystal is also really pleasant, as it’s closer in look to the vintage pieces and would probably be my preference over sapphire, despite the downgrade in scratch-resistance.
The case
If the theme of the dial was “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, the case keeps in line. With a 38.2mm diameter, it matches that of the original, and the same can be said for its shape. The recessed, 4 o’clock crown is a Seiko 5 signature, and helps keep the on-wrist bulk to a minimum. Being a Seiko, the compact lug-to-lug makes the Gene Kranz re-issue a breeze on the wrist, and the tall dome of the Hardlex crystal jutting out from the bezel doubles down on the vintage aesthetic.
Where the Kranz Jr departs from the original is finishing, as the Japanese brand has stepped up the quality (as you might expect), with neat transitions between brushed and polished surfaces. Looking at the case side-on, you’ll notice that Seiko still doesn’t sign the crowns of its entry-level watches, which would be a nice little attention to detail, but there’s also a more substantive change that caught my eye. The SRPL91 and SRPL93 now feature drilled lugs, which I would’ve expected the original to feature considering its “Sports Diver” moniker, and something I’m happy to see, given the strap monster potential of the Kranz Juniors.
The bracelet
The factory option for both colourways is a five-link, all-brushed steel bracelet finished in a folding, double-pusher clasp. Aesthetically, it’s faithful to the bracelets that were available with the original watch in the ’60s, and I like the smaller clasp size given the mid-size diameter. That reduction in clasp real estate does mean that there are only a couple of micro-adjust positions, which takes away a little bit of versatility, but together with the small bracelet links, I don’t envision it being a significant issue. That said, I’d welcome a toolless micro-adjust becoming standard for Seiko any day.
The movement
No prizes for guessing the movement that powers this new 5 Sports duo. Yes, the venerable 4R36 is put to work once again, providing its reliable timekeeping for up to 41 hours, and beating at 3Hz. It’s hidden behind a solid caseback, which I’m totally on board with, and is a neat (and expected) upgrade over the 6119C of the ’60s original.
The verdict
There is no shortage of excellent, affordable Seiko daily-drivers from its 5 Sports collection, but I genuinely think that the new SRPL91 and SRPL93 are two of the best we’ve seen for some time. The half-centuru-old design is proven to be timeless in its simplicity and legibility, and a couple of quirks like the bi-colour day/date and old Seiko 5 script are just what it takes to tug at enthusiasts’ heartstrings. Add to that the cool factor of being nicknamed after its wearer, Eugene Francis Kranz, and there’s very little I can find to complain about. I wonder what I would have to do, and which watch I’d wear to have it nicknamed after me… I think a couple of rocket launches and explosive catastrophe rescues are in order before that happens.
Seiko 5 Sports SRPL91 and SRPL93 “Gene Kranz” pricing and availability
The new Seiko 5 Sports SRPL91 and SRPL93 Heritage Design Re-creation Limited Editions are limited to 9,999 pieces per colour. Price: A$695
| Brand | Seiko |
| Model |
5 Sports Heritage Design Re-creation Limited Edition
|
| Reference Number | SRPL91K SRPL93K |
| Case Dimensions | 38.2mm (D) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Box-domed Hardlex front |
| Dial | Silver, black |
| Strap | Five-link steel bracelet, folding clasp |
| Movement | 4R36, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 41 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, unidirectional timing bezel |
| Availability | Limited to 9,999 pieces per colour |
| Price | A$695 |