Seiko 5 releases the Seiko 5 Sports in a special collaboration with Honda Motocompo.
Press release information with commentary in italics.
New: Seiko 5 Sports limited edition collaboration with Honda Motocompo
The Seiko 5 Sports limited edition collaboration with Honda Motocompo REf. HDB010 is EUR 390. Limited Edition of 8,000 pieces.
Commentary
The Motocompo is an interesting little recreational motorcycle by Honda, produced from 1981 to 1983, designed to fit inside the trunk of a subcompact car. It had a 49cc air-cooled engine running on a two stroke sincle cylinder. The 1.185m long vehicle folded into a rectangular box by tucking away the handlebar and seat. It weighed only 45kg and had initial launch colours of fiery red, gleaming white and sunshine yellow. Original models in good condition typically fetch from USD 5k to USD 10k in today’s market.
This interesting collaboration with the Seiko 5. This release is a celebration of compactness and ingenuity of design and launched on the 45th anniversary of Motocompo. The watch is based on the Seiko 5 Sports Field Collection. This is a rather extensive collection of “Field” watches. The novelty uses the same case as the rest of the collection – 36.4mm x 12.5mm steel case with a matte black hard coating. The crown is also black and has the word “TURN” engraved on the side repeating the design of the fuel cock on the Motocompo.
The dial colour chosen by Seiko is the sunshine yellow which was part of the 1981 launch of the motor vehicle. This is a brilliant yellow splashed on the dial safe for a black strip running from 9 to 3 o’clock with the Honda logo and the Day/Date window.
One interesting observation is that the watch at EUR 390 or USD 370 costs as much as the Honda Motocompo back in 1981.
Release details
The iconic design of the ultra-compact MOTOCOMPO has been incorporated into the Field
series, featuring a compact case with a 36.4mm diameter.
[MOTOCOMPO]
A recreational motorcycle released by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in 1981. It featured a compact, lightweight body with a dry weight of 42 kg, powered by a 49 cc, 2.5 horsepower two-stroke engine, and was equipped with foldable handlebars and footrests, as well as leak-proof mechanisms for fuel, engine oil, and the battery.
Honda, which developed and produced both four-wheeled and two-wheeled vehicles, had long been offering compact motorcycles that could be loaded into cars.
Targeting trend-conscious young people as its main customers, the MOTOCOMPO proposed a new six-wheeled lifestyle that combined the comfort of a four-wheeled vehicle with the maneuverability of a two-wheeler by allowing it to be stored in the trunk of the “CITY,” a compact car released at the same time.
The dial features the striking yellow color of the MOTOCOMPO, with the HONDA logo emblazoned along the black section that cuts across the center.
The “AUTOMATIC” lettering at the 6 oʼclock position features a special font inspired by the MOTOCOMPO logo.
The crown features the word “TURN,” inspired by the design of the fuel cock.
Furthermore, drawing inspiration from the attachment point used to secure the MOTOCOMPO to a car with a strap, part of the watch’s strap bears the inscription “CARRYING POINT,” while the tip of the strap is marked “INSERTION POINT.”
As a feature unique to this limited-edition model, the case back is marked with the silhouette of the MOTOCOMPO, the words “Limited Edition,” and a serial number.
The watch comes in a special box designed to resemble the corrugated carton used to ship the MOTOCOMPO.
Seiko 5 Sports x Honda Motocompo Ref. HDB010 Specifications
Movement Caliber Number 4R36 * Movement Type Automatic with manual winding * Power reserve Approx. 41 hours * Jewels 24 * Functions Stop second hand function, Day/Date display
Case/Band Case Material Stainless steel (hard coating) * Case Size Thickness:12.5mm Diameter:36.4mm * Lug-to-lug: 44.4mm * Crystal Curved Hardlex * LumiBriteLumibrite on hands and index(es) * Band Material Nylon * Distance between lugs1 8mm
Other Details Water Resistance1 0 bar * Magnetic Resistance 4,800 A/m * Features LIMITED EDITION on the case back, Serial number engraved on the case back, See-through & Screw case back
