Seiko and Rowing Blazers Reprise Their Much Hyped Collaborations
In a fourth edition, the new collab leans into the original's popular Rally Diver design.
Even amidst the hype for collab watches back in 2021, a certain meeting of brands proved a notable phenomenon. It was the first series of Seiko 5 Sports x Rowing Blazers x Wind Vintage watches, and among the three quirkily colorful models a favorite seemed to emerge: the “Rally Diver” (SRPG49) with a checkered bezel in black and white like a racing flag. Now three subsequent collabs later, the trio returns to riff on that particular style.
All these collabs start with a platform that’s no small part of what makes them cool and successful. That would be the core lines within Seiko’s ultra-bang-for-buck Seiko 5 Sports sub-brand of automatic watches. The first edition used the line’s most essential “SXK”-style model with a 42.5mm case and rotating bezel, while the second and third editions reinterpreted the smooth-bezeled and 38mm-sized “DressKX” model. For 2026 and the fourth collaboration, they return to the SKX format in two sizes.
As the next step, a pair of personalities work together to add their touches. Founded in 2017 by designer Jack Carlson, the first is Rowing Blazers whose name is emblazoned on the dials. It’s something like a streetwear apparel brand with a “preppy” disposition and cult following in the fashion world. Past models have taken Carlson’s own orange-dialed 1970 Seiko 6106-7107 70m Sport Diver as inspiration.
The new models are based on the Rally Diver of 2021 which was in turn based on a Seiko model from the 1969. It was the first vintage watch Eric Wind ever bought and, as enthusiasts know, you never forget your first. An oft-quoted vintage watch expert and seller, he’s the man behind the company Wind Vintage.
The SRPG49 from 2021 was such a hit that it’s the basis for both new models. Rather than black and white, it renders the basic design in saturated hues of blue and green, respectively. The first is in the standard 42.5mm case while the latter is in a 38mm “Mid-Size” version of the same design introduced to the Seiko lineup in 2023.
Part of what these collabs always seem to get right is the evident level of consideration in each. There are a lot more details than one tends to expect at this price level, from the signed crown with the Rowing Blazers logo to the striped seconds hand and careful juxtaposition of colors. Each comes with a steel bracelet but also an unintuitively but compellingly contrasting NATO-style strap — green for the blue model, and blue for the green. Breaking from past models with a skeleton motif on the caseback glass (through which you can see the Seiko 4R36 automatic movement), the new watches feature Rowing Blazers’ “Bath Club” spigot motif.
Another element of past such collabs that spurred their reception was exclusivity. They were relatively limited to quantities like 500 and 888 per model, and they mostly sold out. The new models give more fans a chance to get in on the action at 2,500 numbered examples each. They go on sale at 11am (EDT), July 9, 2026, through Rowing Blazers’ website, Seiko USA and select Rowing Blazers boutiques. Each has a retail price of $495.
Learn more on Rowing Blazers' website, here.
