Seiko 5 Sports SPRD and SKX007 mod parts compatibility

Let's talk about the new Seiko 5 Sports/SRPD lineup announced in 2019.  Affectionately dubbed as the 5KX because of its uncanny resemblance to its older brother the SKX007/SKX009, the new Seiko 5 Sports dive watch has caught the attention of many Seiko enthusiasts.

Today, we're going to be focusing on a question that many of us in the Seiko modding community have been pondering ever since these watches were announced.

Are these new Seiko 5 Sports/SRPD models going to be compatible with SKX007/SKX009 modification parts? 

We managed to get our hands on one of these watches before the public release, and here's what we found out.

What is compatible?

✔️ Bezel

SKX bezels are plug-and-play with these new Seiko 5 Sports/SRPD models. The bezel assembly for both watches are exactly the same. Great news if you want to switch up the look of your Seiko 5 Sports dive watch!

You can check out our SKX007/SRPD bezel collection here.

✔️ Bezel Inserts

No surprises here! Since SKX007 bezels are compatible, SKX007 bezel inserts will work with your Seiko 5 Sports/SRPD as well. 

Even though there are a whopping 27 designs and colors to choose from, I'm pretty sure the modding itch will kick in eventually. Some of you are going to want to swap out your inserts. Find the perfect bezel insert to complement your new Seiko 5 Sports and shop our SKX007/SRPD bezel inserts here.

✔️ Crystal

The new Seiko 5 Sports/SRPD models comes stock with a Hardlex crystal, just like their older brother, the SKX007. If you're looking to upgrade to a sapphire crystal, good news!

Any sapphire crystal that is compatible with the SKX007/SKX009, will be compatible with the Seiko 5 as well. Step up your crystal game with our SKX007/SRPD domed sapphire crystals!

✔️ Dials, Hands, Chapter Rings

Yep. SKX007/SKX009 dials, hands, and chapter rings are all compatible with these new Seiko 5 Sports watches as well.

In summary, almost everything that you'd like to customize on your Seiko 5 Sports, can be done using SKX007 mod parts. With the exception of...

What is NOT compatible?

❌ Crowns

Much to the disappointment of many SKX fans, the new Seiko 5 Sports do not have a screw down crown. As such, it won't be compatible with the range of SKX007 aftermarket crowns.

❌ Fat Springbars

The fat springbars that we know and love from the SKX007, unfortunately cannot be a direct one-to-one swap on to these new Seiko 5 Sports/SRPD models. The springbars that come with the Seiko 5 Sports/SRPD have slightly smaller tips compared to the OEM Seiko fat springbars.

What does this mean for the modding community?

The new Seiko 5 Sports/SRPD designs are pretty awesome, and we're personally a fan of the insane variety (have we already mentioned - 27 different colorways at initial launch?!) that Seiko has blessed us with. 

Coupled with the more affordable price point of the Seiko 5 (SKX prices have been steadily creeping up over the past couple of years), these watches will be a great gateway watch for people to get introduced to the hobby of Seiko modding.

Another cost-effective option worth considering would be to buy all the individual watch parts, and build your watch from scratch. This might make more economical sense than sourcing for an SKX007 (at their current prices) to use as a base for modding. If this is a route you're interested in, you can check out our Checklist for Building a Full Watch here.

Either way, it does seem like the modding community now has more options to choose from!

List of Seiko 5 Sports/SRPD References/Model Numbers that will be compatible with SKX mod parts:

Sports collection - SPRD55K3, SRPD57K1, SRPD59K1, SRPD55K1, SRPD55K3, SRPD57K1, SRPD59K1, SRPD61K1, SRPD63K1, SRPD65K1, and SRPD65K4

Suits collection - SRPD65K2, SRPD67K1, SRPD69K1, SRPD71K1, SRPD71K2, SRPD73K1, SRPD73K2, and SRPD75K1

Specialists collection - SRPD55K2, SRPD65K3, and SRPD76K1

Street collection - SRPD79K1, SRPD81K1, and SRPD83K1

Sense collection - SRPD77K and SRPD85K1