SEIKO PROSPEX
SEIKO DIVER'S WATCH 55th Anniversary
Limited Editions
SEIKO PROSPEX
CONCEPT
55 years ago, Seiko introduced its, and Japan's, first ever diver's watch. With an automatic movement and water resistance to 150m, it proved its reliability when it was used by the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition team in the 1960s. In the years that followed, Seiko created many other diver's watches that found favor with professional divers and adventurers alike, thanks to their high quality and reliability.
These two special limited editions the celebrate of the 55th anniversary of the very first Seiko diver's watch. Based on landmark designs from 1965 and 1970, these watches have been created with Seiko's very latest technologies and new, higher specifications.
The 1965Diver's Re-creation
The 1965 Diver's Original model
Seiko's and Japan's first ever diver's watch was made in 1965 at a time when watches with high levels of water resistance were not widely available. It incorporated an automatic mechanical caliber and delivered 150m water resistance.
As leisure diving grew in popularity, the watch found favor with an ever wider public and set Seiko on a path of continuous development in durable, accurate and safe diver's watches that has continued to this day.
The case of this watch is made of a grade of stainless steel not used before in a diver's watch. Seiko's new Ever-Brilliant Steel takes its name from the brilliant white hue that gives the watch its unique look. This grade of steel is more corrosion resistant than that which is used in most high-end watches today.
This material is used extensively in the surfaces, linings, bolts and other components of marine structures and vessels because it resists corrosion in the chloride-rich environment of sea water. Its use in a watch case presents many manufacturing challenges but, thanks to the long experience and innovative techniques of the Seiko team, these challenges were overcome and Ever-Brilliant Steel is now set to bring a new level of durability to the diver's watch.
The watch is powered by the 8L35 movement which was developed expressly for diver's watches and is assembled by hand at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio.
Case back
While faithful to the 1965 design, this new Prospex diver's watch has greatly enhanced functionality. It has a box-shaped sapphire crystal and 200m water resistance for greater reliability.
The case back bears the same dolphin emblem as the 1965 original.
*In an actual product, the case back direction might be different from the photograph.
Special box
The watch is offered in a special box with an additional strap made of blue silicone.
SEIKO PROSPEX
The 1965 Diver's Re-creation
SLA043J1
[ Caliber 8L35 ]
Limited edition of 1,700
Available in Nov 2020
1970Diver's Modern
Re-interpretation
A unique profile and a proud history
Five years after the first Seiko diver’s watch, a new design was introduced that was as instantly memorable as it was supremely functional. For extra security, the crown was moved to the four o’clock position and protected by an asymmetrical case design. The rotating bezel was unidirectional with 120 clicks and a 60-minute scale. Today, this 1970 classic is re-created in blue with a powerful 6R movement and an updated design.
Naomi Uemura - adventurer
Naomi Uemura was born in 1941 in Toyooka City in Japan's Hyogo Prefecture. His love affair with adventure began when, at Tokyo's Meiji University, he joined the Alpine Society. By the age of 30, he had climbed Mt. Kilamanjaro, Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn and, in 1970, he became the first Japanese mountaineer to reach the summit of Mt Everest. He went on to become the first to climb the tallest peaks on all five continents the same year. In 1978, with nothing more than a sled and dog team, he trekked for 56 days to become the first man to reach the North Pole solo. In the winter of 1984, he succeeded in climbing Alaska's Denali (then known as Mt McKinley) in winter but disappeared on the descent. Famed for his modesty as much as his achievements, Uemura became a national hero in Japan and was given the National Honor award shortly after his death.
The watch used by Naomi Uemura
on his 18 month Arctic journey
Design
A unique design faithfully recreated.
The new Prospex re-creation of the 1970 original is slightly smaller than the original but faithful in every other respect to its design. The case has the same distinctive asymmetrical shape to protect the crown at the 4 o’clock position.
Enhanced specifications
Specifications suitable to the present day
The re-creation is powered by Caliber 6R35 which delivers a power reserve of 70 hours. The case has a super-hard coating and the crystal is a dual-curved sapphire with anti-reflective coating. The watch is 200 meter water resistant and the bracelet has an extender for use when diving in a full wet suit. The upper surface of the bezel is Zaratsu polished to a perfect mirror finish.
Special box
The watch is offered in a special box with an additional strap made of blue silicone.
SEIKO PROSPEX
The 1970 Diver's Modern
Re-interpretation
SPB183J1
[ Caliber 6R35 ]
Limited edition of 5,500
Available in Nov 2020