Seiko celebrates 10 years of Supercars partnership with the SSK057K GMT watch featuring racing-inspired carbon fiber dial, Caliber 4R34 movement, and practical travel functionality.
Seiko has unveiled the 5 Sports SSK057K, a limited edition automatic GMT watch celebrating its decade-long partnership with Australia's Supercars Championship and Team 18. Limited to 1,500 individually numbered units globally, this motorsport-inspired timepiece combines distinctive styling with practical functionality at a competitive price point.
The SSK057K immediately stands out with its racing-oriented design language. The carbon fiber-patterned dial directly references modern racing materials, while vibrant red accents highlight the inner chapter ring, GMT hand, and seconds hand. Supercars branding appears on both the engraved crown and exhibition case back, which displays the movement and unique serial number. Measuring 42.5mm in diameter and 13.6mm thick, the stainless steel case maintains proportions consistent with Seiko's Sports line, offering balanced wrist presence without excessive bulk. The Hardlex crystal with date magnifier and 100-meter water resistance provide practical durability.
Powering the watch is Seiko's automatic Caliber 4R34 movement, an evolution of the popular NH35 platform with added GMT functionality. The movement maintains a 41-hour power reserve, hand-winding capability, and hacking seconds. The true value lies in its travel utility: The combination of main hands, 24-hour GMT hand, and bidirectional bezel allows tracking of three time zones simultaneously – particularly relevant for the Supercars Championship spanning six time zones across Australia and New Zealand.
Compared to Seiko's mainstream GMT offerings like the SSK001 (currently discounted toward $350 USD), the SSK057K commands a AUD $850 ($550 USD) premium for its limited edition status. The price premium positions it against alternatives like:
- Citizen Promaster GMT ($500): Offers solar charging but lacks automatic movement
- Orient Triton GMT ($600): Comparable specs without motorsport theme
- Microbrand GMTs: Similar NH34 movements but without Seiko's brand recognition
Where the SSK057K distinguishes itself is through its complete collector package. Each unit ships in special packaging containing:
- Commemorative Supercars pin
- Branded cleaning cloth
- Individually numbered certificate detailing all Supercars racetracks
The racing-inspired aesthetic combined with genuine travel functionality makes this ideal for motorsport enthusiasts seeking a tangible connection to the championship. Collectors benefit from the limited production run while travelers gain a robust mechanical GMT – a rare combination under $600 USD.
Currently exclusive to Australia through Seiko Boutiques and their online store, international availability remains unconfirmed. For Supercars fans and Seiko collectors, this represents a compelling limited edition. More practical buyers may find better value in Seiko's standard GMT models, but the SSK057K successfully delivers both motorsport passion and authentic horological utility in a single package.
Image credits: Seiko/NotebookCheck
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