Hands On With The Latest Rowing Blazers X Seiko Releases

by Charlie Dunne

Of the timepieces in my personal collection, very few are modern. To be blunt, my heart belongs to vintage. However, once in a while there is a release that is just too fun to ignore - #SometimesModernWatches. The latest Rowing Blazers x Seiko capsule is the exception. Having been granted early access to go hands on with the watches, I thought it would be fun to create a visual report of the latest Seiko capsule paired with items from my personal wardrobe. Below you will be able to see several Rowing Blazers polos, sweaters, and blazers styled with each timepiece, along with excerpts from a conversation with both Rowing Blazers founder Jack Carlson, and my colleague Eric Wind of Wind Vintage.

The latest four watches come just over a year after Rowing Blazers’ debut watch collaboration. Compared to the 2021 releases, the latest models have dropped down in size to 40mm diameter (44mm lug-to-lug) and height of 13mm. Eric Wind would highlight the case by stating “I first became aware of this smaller model with a smooth bezel two years ago when Tony Traina posted this black dial Seiko 5 Sports SRPE55. We quickly decided that this would be a great platform for the next Rowing Blazers x Seiko 5 Sports watch. The nickname of the model is the "DressKX" and it is sort of reminiscent of the Rolex Explorer I - more of a dressy tool watch because of the smooth bezel.

The movements continue to be the automatic caliber 4R36, which has a 41-hour power reserve and hacking feature. Again, these are on display via the exhibition case back with the laser engraved latin motto “TEMPVS FVGIT” from the Latin poet Virgil. As far as the water resistance, swimming is still more than welcome for these down to 10 bar (100 meters). On top of all this, each watch will accompany a steel bracelet, and additional nylon strap which was specifically designed for each reference.

Each watch is limited to 888 numbered pieces and will be available for $495. The sale of the Rowing Blazers x Seiko 5 Sports capsule launches Friday, October 28, 2022, at 11:00 am ET on the Rowing Blazers, Seiko USA, and HODINKEE websites, as well as select retailers — including the Rowing Blazers flagship in New York City. If you are in the New York area, I certainly would encourage you to attend the forthcoming launch party which will be held at the Rowing Blazers Flagship at 8 Rivington Street, New York on Thursday, October 27th from 6-9 PM.

Reference SRPJ57

I asked Jack Carlson about his vintage Seiko Sport Diver with an orange dial that served as the inspiration of this watch and asked him whether it was a rewarding experience to revisit this design for a new generation of watch collectors.

“Yes, absolutely” he responded. “The watch that was the inspiration for this collection (a 1970 Seiko 6106-7107 70m Sport Diver) isn’t something that was super famous — but it’s very “me” and I think very timeless. Ready to take center stage again. But of course part of the joy is not just in the vintage inspiration, but also in the details, the small things that make it Rowing Blazers: the “candy cane” second hand; the Japanese day, the monogram bezel; the caseback; the design of the strap that comes with each reference. I also think the other colors are spot on. There’s obviously a big thing happening in the watch world with regard to color right now. Some of it resonates with me, but some of it doesn’t. But I love what we’ve designed here because it’s doing its own thing, and it has that vintage feel to it. It’s not trying too hard or jumping on any bandwagon. The colors are very masculine I feel, too. You see “Tiffany blue” everywhere, but I don’t think I would ever wear that on a watch. But I’m crazy about the rich sky blue - Azure - that we chose for that reference. It goes with everything.

Eric Wind would expand “With the first Rowing Blazers x Seiko 5 Sports capsule last year, we were amazed by the enthusiastic reception for our take on the iconic Seiko dive watch both within and beyond the watch community. When Seiko asked us to do another, we were inspired by Jack Carlson's 1970 Seiko 6106-7107 70m Sport Diver with a bright orange dial. Rather than focus on different bezels with the same dial across the three models we debuted last year, we could focus on the dial. We wanted to design a collection that reflected the spirit of Jack’s vintage 6106-7107, using dial and strap colors that are sporty, fun, and complementary.”

Reference SRPJ59

When I asked about Jack his favorite encounter of someone wearing a Rowing Blazers x Seiko 2021 model in the wild, Carlson took a moment to think and replied “Probably BJ Novak, though it was crazy how many people I admired were wearing it! But BJ is a fellow Bostonian and someone I’ve found so funny for so long - so that was cool!”

Reference SRPJ63

Still a fresh impression of the latest release, I would press Carlson to declare his favorite of the four at the current moment. “I love them all… it’s hard to pick. I think the orange, because that’s the original. I call it “the Garfield”. I also love the black, because it’s so unique with the multi-color markers, which are all adopted from our signature “croquet stripe.” When you see it from afar it might look like a normal black dial dive watch. But when you look up close you go “Wow!”"

Wind echoed his enthusiasm for the reference SRPJ57 stating “I love them all, but just like the last launch my favorite was based on a vintage model (the first vintage watch I ever purchased), the Rally Diver. For this launch, my favorite is the orange dial.”

Reference SRPJ61

Individually, the Rowing Blazers and Seiko brands are quite different worlds from a product perspective, but there is clearly overlap as far as their audience and clientele. When asked why he thought these collaborations have been well received by both the fashion and watch community, Wind would state “The best collaborations reflect the best of each brand in a new and interesting way. Rowing Blazers is known for vibrant and playful clothes while Seiko is known for excellent tool watches. Our collaborations have brought these strengths together in a wonderful and new way.”

Special thanks to Rowing Blazers, Seiko USA, Jack Carlson, and Eric Wind.