Seiko has just announced a pair of regional exclusives for its longtime distributor in Southeast Asia, the Seiko 5 Sports SSK043K1 and Prospex Speedtimer SSC951P1 Thong Sia Group Editions.

Available only in Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, and Brunei, the Thong Sia Group (TSG) limited editions are inspired by basketball, hence the salmon dials with black accents that echo the colour of the balls.

The solar-powered Speedtimer chronograph

Initial thoughts

Seiko produces some of the best offerings in the affordable price segment, and the TSG duo demonstrate that amply with strong price-performance ratios. The Seiko 5 Sports, for instance, is an automatic with second time zone for 654 Singapore dollars, or about US$500.

While the basketball link is a bit of a stretch, the metallic-finish copper (or “salmon”) dials are appealing. Though the shade is popular, the colour is less common in affordable sports watches in this price range, making this pair a little more interesting.

The Seiko 5 Sports with a GMT function

A handy travel watch

The TSG edition is based on the Seiko 5 Sports GMT, which is basically a diver-style watch with a second time zone function.

It has a stainless steel case that is 42.5 mm in diameter and 13.6 mm high. Water resistant to 100 m, the case is satin-brushed on top with mirror-polished bevels on the side of the lugs. In traditional Seiko 5 style, it has the crown positioned at four o’clock, which was originally conceived to indicate the watch is automatic, hence the less prominent position of the crown.

Unlike the standard models that mostly sport dark dials, the TSG edition has a “salmon” dial in a radially brushed metallic finish matched with a white inner flange. The GMT hand is red, while the bezel is subtly two-tone – the upper half is black while the lower half is dark grey – to separate day from night in the second time zone.

Like nearly all GMT watches in this price range, the GMT hand is independently adjustable, rather than the local time hour hand. It’s a more than acceptable concession considering the accessible pricing.

Beneath the see-through, screw-down caseback is the cal. 4R34, a self-winding movement with a power reserve of 41 hours.

A solar-powered chronograph

A highly functional sports chronograph, the Speedtimer TSG is based on the regular production model (that was recently launched in “Pogue” livery) and shares the same 39 mm wide case that’s 13.3 mm in thickness.

The dial is a “panda”, but in copper with a sun ray-brushed finish matched with black registers. The sub-dial at six is for the constant seconds, but also doubles as the power reserve indicator for the movement, which will run for six months on a full charge.

Like the standard Speedtimer, this is powered by the V192, Seiko’s proprietary solar-powered quartz chronograph movement. Rated to within to 15 seconds per month, it is charged via the registers that are actually faintly translucent.

Key facts and price

Seiko 5 Sports Thong Sia Group Limited Edition
Ref. SSK043K1

Diameter: 42.5 mm
Height: 13.6 mm
Material: Steel
Crystal: Hardlex
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Cal. 4R34
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date and GMT
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 41 hours

Strap: Steel bracelet

Limited edition: 1,300 pieces
Availability: At Seiko boutiques and retailers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, and Brunei
Price: 654 Singapore dollars (about US$500)

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Thong Sia Group Limited Edition
Ref. SSC951P1

Diameter: 39 mm
Height: 13.3 mm
Material: Steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Cal. V192
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, and chronograph
Winding: Solar
Power reserve: 6 months

Strap: Steel bracelet

Limited edition: 1,000 pieces
Availability: At Seiko boutiques and retailers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, and Brunei
Price: 963.60 Singapore dollars (about US$700)

For more, visit seikowatches.com.

This was brought to you in partnership with Thong Sia Group.