Seiko 5 Sports SRPD87: Blue Sunray Dial On Blue NATO (Japan Movement)

Seiko 5 Sports SRPD87 Case Dimensions

The SRPD87 is marked by the classic Seiko diver case profile. It is 42.5mm in diameter (3 to 9 o’clock), 46mm lug-to-lug, 13.4mm tall, and 22mm between the lugs (strap size). The case is crafted entirely of stainless steel and boasts a dual-finish.

The top of the case has been brushed to produce a satin or grain finish. Alternatively, the case flanks and undersides are presented in high polish. These contrasting finishes are visually intriguing such that they give the overall look of the watch an attractive depth.

The crown on this SRPD87 does not screw into the case; this limits the water resistance to 100m which is plenty for most. Yet, some have shunned the new Seiko 5 Sports line for this reduced depth rating, even though Seiko guarantees that the watches are safe to use while swimming.

Blue Diver’s Bezel

Sitting atop the case is a steel, unidirectional diver’s bezel with a textured outer perimeter to improve grip (especially when wearing gloves.) Cradled within the bezel is a blue metallic diver’s scale insert. It features silver graduations on a metallic blue background that make for ideal legibility.

Lastly, this SRPD87’s face is protected by a scratch-resistant Seiko Hardlex crystal. While Hardlex is not as effective as sapphire in fending off scratches, it is shatter-proof and helps keep the overall cost of the watch down.

Seiko SRPD87 Blue Sunray Dial Details

Without a doubt, one of the most alluring aspects of this SRPD87 is the dial. It’s a beautiful blue tone with a radial brushed finish emanating from the center of the dial. By no means is this an uncommon texture on a dial, nor is it easy to accomplish and Seiko has implemented it quite expertly.

Unfortunately, I had a hard time capturing the depth of the dial on camera but I can guarantee it’s a lot more dynamic in person when compared to the images in this article.

Also on the face of the SRPD87 is a raised outer minute track, applied chrome indices, the new Seiko 5 logo at 12, a day-date aperture at 3, and polished center hands. Moreover, all of the elements required to read the time, such as the hour indices and the center hands, are liberally coated with green Seiko LumiBrite luminous. Indeed, even in the daylight, the lumed elements shine bright.

Blue NATO Fabric Strap

This SRPD87 is sold on a blue NATO strap which is of decent quality. It took some wearing to get the fabric to loosen up and wear a bit more comfortably than out-of-the-box.

It’s certainly not as nice as some aftermarket NATO straps you can purchase for $40-50 but, for the price, I found that it got the job done admirably.

It’s worth noting that the NATO strap has matching brushed-steel elements and a Seiko-branded tang clasp that tie the package together tidily.

Also, keep in mind that this case has lug holes so if you opt for a different band option, it’s relatively easy to change it out. Moreover, this same model is offered by Seiko on a steel bracelet. The reference for the blue dial/steel bracelet model is SRPD51 whereas this NATO strap model with a Japanese movement is SRPD87.

SRPD87 Made In Japan Movement

This SRPD87, like all Seiko 5 Sports watches, is powered by a self-winding Seiko 4R36 movement that is visible through the crystal caseback. Yet, this SRPD87 sets itself apart from its peers in that its movement is manufactured in Japan. This fact is denoted by a small print on the dial at 6 o’clock as well as by text on the see-through case back.

Some collectors find this sort of detail to be an important factor when shopping for a timepiece. Given the choice, many will opt for a Japanese brand watch (such as Seiko) that is also manufactured in Japan, even if the origin commands a premium and imparts no additional advantage.

Ultimately, the 4R36 movement in this SRPD87 is no more accurate than a 4R36 crafted outside of Japan, nor is it better finished. The power reserve for all 4R36 movements is 41 hours, the accuracy is +45/-35 seconds/day, they all have a day-date complication, have hacking seconds, and all can be wound via the crown.

Final Thoughts

By this point in our foray into reviewing Seiko 5 Sports watches, I’ve become quite familiar with the way they wear and this SRPD87 is no different. While the 42.5mm case diameter is larger than I usually prefer, the overall dimensions are proportional so it is still comfortable and doesn’t feel oversized whatsoever.

The great thing about the Seiko 5 Sports diver collection is that, once you know the case is a good fit for your wrist, you can go out and buy a couple of different styles knowing they will all fit the same. You can also customize the one you already have if that’s what you’re into.

The SRPD87 wears its blue tones skillfully. The sunray texture of the dial pairs delightfully with the metallic blue bezel and the navy NATO strap. As mentioned above, legibility in any setting is far from an issue, the day-date complication is incredibly useful, and the upgraded movement makes it easy to maintain the modestly accurate timekeeper on your wrist.

Overall, if you’re a fan of blue and are looking for an affordable and durable diver’s watch, it’s hard to go wrong with the SRPD87. It’s difficult if not impossible to beat the value proposition put forth by Seiko with this SRPD87, and if you disagree, make sure to let me know in the comments section below!

Further Reading

Looking for more watch content? Browse some of our other popular guides and reviews below:

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• All Of Our Seiko Watch Reviews
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