Preparation rally.
One of Seiko’s best collaborations of the past few years came with the help of Rowing Blazers, a New York-based style arbiter founded in 2017, and Eric Wind, the horological guru behind Wind Vintage.
The trio have connected three times before, first for the Seiko 5 Sports Divers trio in 2021, and then each of the next two years for the colorful Seiko 5 Sports Field.
Now, the band has reunited after a three-year hiatus with a pair of funky ’70s Seiko 5 Sports Divers reminiscent of that first collaboration that feels like instant classics.
Windsurfing
The new Seiko 5 Sports Rally Diver carries the 1970s-inspired “rally style” from the original Rowing Blazers/Wind Vintage combination, but in new colors and sizes.
There are two different versions: One in 42.5mm featuring a full blue dial, and the other is a smaller 38mm diver with a racing green dial. Both feature bezels to match their respective dials in a striking checkerboard pattern.
Both models also feature the same LumiBrite-filled indices, the same red and white striped hand, the same 3:00 date window and the same 4:00 crown. There is a Seiko 5 logo below 12:00 on the dial, a Rowing Blazers logo printed above 6:00.
It’s the same basic design as the popular original Rally Diver Collabo from 2021, but that model only came with a 42.5mm black dial.
However, there are new features beyond the new colors and smaller size. There’s a new motif on the show caseback with a full-color version of the Rowing Blazer “bathing club” logo, a yellow dripping faucet, and the Wind Vintage logo. Behind the logo is the Seiko Caliber 4R36 automatic movement as before.
The cable options are also new. Both versions come on Seiko 5 Sports Diver’s standard Seiko 5 Sports Diver’s standard-link steel bracelet, while also including a nylon NATO strap. The bands are available in the opposite color of each dial, with the blue dial paired with a green band and the green dial getting a blue strap.
Availability and pricing
As expected, this new collaboration is limited, with 2,500 pieces of each style available for a total of 5,000 watches. That might sound like a lot, but trust me, it’s not. These will sell out quickly, and some will be swapped for more than the affordable $495 price tag.
Even today, Rally Divers from the original collaboration can sell twice the SRP on the secondary market, as the demand for these items is through the roof. With the Rowing Blazers and Wind Vintage being so notable over the past five years, I see no reason why a colorful reboot of the cool watch from the original collaboration, the Rally Diver, wouldn’t be the most collectible of the three watches right now.
To make sure you don’t miss this latest drop, you can sign up for early access on the Rowing Blazers’ site here. Otherwise, the watch will launch on Rowing Blazers and the Seiko USA site on July 9 at 11:00 am ET.
Blazers for rowingRowing Blazers x Seiko 5 Sports Rally Diver
Details
Case Size 38mm, 42.5mm Movement Seiko Cal. 4R36 automatic Water Resistance 100m
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