THE HISTORY OF SEIKO DIVER'S WATCHES | SEA | Prospex

Progression of The Seiko Diver's Watch.

Introduced in 1965,
Seiko’s innovative diver’s watch has been chosen by divers and adventurers globally.
Seiko’s diving watch has become a global standard as a result 50 years of innovation.
What is the history behind this timepiece?

The one letter that lead to the world’s first professional diver’s watch.

Everything started with a letter from a professional diver in Hiroshima prefecture of Japan. The diver explained that in depths greater than 300 meters, when using a diving capsule and saturation diving techniques, most watches get damaged. Answering this request, Seiko established a new development team. After years of research development, the world’s first Professional Diver’s 600m with titanium case was created.

1 History of The Seiko Diver's Watch.

Japan’s first 150M Diver’s.

Japan’s first diver’s watch was the self-winding 150M Diver’s. The launch of this model is an outset of Seiko’s pursuit for reliability and safety that is to come in future diver’s watch　models. In 1966, the watch proved its reliability and capability in the 8th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition.
The Diver’s 300M, with the highest of world standards hi-beat caliber (10 vibrations per second).

Increasing the number of vibrations in the balance, Seiko used the new driving system: Self-winding type with manual winding mechanism. The timepiece also uses Japan’s first hi-beat caliber (10 vibrations per second) that assures precision from the moment the Diver’s 300M is worn.
The world’s first professional Diver’s 600M with titanium case.

The model features a world-class corrosion-proof, shock resistant, airtight case. In addition, the accordion style type polyurethane band makes the model portable. The Diver’s 300M has been licensed for over 20 patents with only the exterior.
The Professional Diver’s 600M, the world’s first saturation diving watch featuring a quartz movement.
The world’s first Hybrid Diver’s 150M, with an alarm and chronograph.

The Hybrid Diver’s 150M provides an alarm system, chronograph and a bilingual display. Also with incorporated electronic sounds, communication under water is possible.
The world’s best selling Quartz Diver’s 200M.

The timepiece enables divers to reach depths of 200 meters, exceeding previous limits, 150 meters, for a diver’s watch.
The world’s first Diver’s 1000M with a ceramic outer case.

The Diver’s 1000M is the first watch to use ceramic material for the outer case. The lightweight, corrosion resistant titanium case with a remarkable waterproof one-piece structure enables this watch to withstand depths of 1,000 meters.
The world’s first computerized diver’s watch.

Seiko's mastery of electronic watchmaking and long experience in diving watches allowed the creation of the “Scuba Master”, that was equipped with a water sensor and depth sensor and that displayed diving time and depth, vital information for divers.
The the world’s first Kinetic Diver’s 200M; automatic power generating quartz watch.

With the high precision of the Quartz, this model automatically generates electrical energy with Kinetic movement. Putting emphasis on safety, and ecology, this true diver’s watch is one the world was waiting for.
The water thermometer, and a depth gauge fused, “Diver Scuba” 200M.

The timepiece calculates depth of water and div time, also it displays log data memory, air pressure, for underwater purposes. In addition, the watch features functions such as the stopwatch, alarm and battery indicator for on-land purposes.
The world’s first 24-hour hand Kinetic Scuba Master 200M.

A Kinetic diver’s watch that has a 24-hour hand for easier time difference adjustment, which also does not require battery replacement. The case uses high-intensity titanium to enhance durability and shock resistance.
The world’s first Scuba Master 200M, with an automatic calculating analog depth gauge.

When the timepiece is in full auto mode, the timepiece detects the water level and water pressure and starts calculating necessary information. Not only does the screen calculate current depth and time, the watch also displays log data memory and warning notifications.
The Diving Computer Watch; world’s first timepiece to provide accurate information.

Adding powerful features to the Diver’s 200M, the Diving Computer Watch displays a dive profile by recording the current depth level of the diver. Can be used for nitrox diving.
The world’s first Spring Drive Diver’s 600M.

The timepiece features Seiko’s own Spring Drive technology that enables the watch to work on one mainspring with one-second-a-day accuracy. Also using highly durable high-intensity titanium and sapphire glass, this Professional Diver’s withstands saturation diving in depths of 600 meters.

2 The legend gets passed on

With half a century of history and remarkable innovation, Seiko’s diver’s watch has been used all over the world in diverse situations. Over the years, the timepiece has proven itself worthy of any harsh environment and has been praised from professional divers.

Earning credibility through vigorous adventures in the North and South Pole.

From 1966, the timepiece has been brought on 4 missions with the Antarctic Team of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. Later on, numerous adventurers and explorers have made achievements such as successfully ascending Everest gearing Seiko’s diver’s watch. After years of proving itself worthy of withstanding extreme environments, Seiko’s diver’s watch has earned its integrity.

Exceeding any expectation of water resistance with the depth of 1062 meters.

In May of 1983, two Professional Diver’s 600ms were mounted on Shinkai 2000, a research submersible used by JAMSTEC (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology). The watch was oiginally intended for use up to 600 meteres, yet the timepiece withstood water pressure at a depth of 1062 meters. The watch’s legibility, precision, and exterior remained unscathed, continuing to strengthen its credibility.

Courtesy: JAMSTEC

Water-Resistance：Air tightness

The result of 300m saturation diving: Pressure inside the watch case for brand other brands (A, B, C) and Seiko Professional Diver’s

The vertical line shows the pressure inside the watch case and the horizontal line indicates the period of time.

After the dive, the air pressure inside the watch case gradually went up.

Seiko Professional diver’s scored the best result and verified that it is strong enough to function even at great depths.

Proving its significant impermeability.

For saturation diver’s watches, helium is a constant issue. The gas penetrates the glass, and in some cases the difference in external and internal air pressure causes the glass cover to break. While other companies focus on methods to release Helium with an escape valve, Seiko took a different turn and developed a glass case that is practically impermeable to Helium gas. This is the creation of Seiko’s Diver’s Professional 600M. In 1983, JAMSTEC conducted an impermeability test by submersing several diver’s watches under 300M saturation diving. Seiko’s Diver’s Professional 600M proved to be up to ten times more impermeable to Helium gas compared to other companies. The true diver’s watch continues to prove itself.

Courtesy: JAMSTEC

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3 Innovative Technology The tenacious inquires drove Seiko to achieve its authenticity.

Behind Seiko’s diver’s watch that has been chosen by divers world wide, there are qualified engineers who work to developed technology that the world has never seen.
Through significant innovation, water resistance and impermeability has proven to be the finest in world class. Along with functionality, using specialized material and precise detail in structure, the timepiece is made to perfection. Seiko’s determination and innovative technology resulted in many patents to preserve the company’s authenticity.

The world’s first diver’s watch to use titanium.

Seiko was the first in the world to use titanium for its corrosion resistance and lightness.
A dial with significant legibility.

To assure legibility in any circumstance, Seiko developed its own dial design.
The L-shape gasket that achieved world-class impermeability.

Developing material specifically for the packing resulted to this achievement.
Seiko’s original torque control bezel.

The original torque control bezel is smooth, safe for use , and durable.
The world’s first outer case protector structure.

With the world’s first outer frame protector structure, the watches ensure shock resistance and reliability.
Movements to ensure legibility and reliability.

Combined with a powerful torque to wield the remarkably legible watch hand, the antimagnetic quartz movement assures precision.
World’s first accordion style type polyurethane band.

Acquired for its flexibility and features desirable for diving, Seiko introduced the accordion style type polyurethane band.
Safety assured with the screw down crown at 4 o’clock position.

Safety and portability was achieved with a screw down crown at 4 o’clock position.

4 The true diver’s watch Seiko’s technology innovation that achieved a standard for all diver’s watches.

There are countless products labeled as a diver’s watch around the world but only a negligible number of these timepieces are functional in professional environments.

What is a true diver’s watch?
From the introduction in 1965 as Japan’s first diver’s watch, the engineers never stopped to innovate. The trust this watch has gained goes beyond the borders of Japan and into the world. As a result, Seiko facilitated the establishment of the standard for diver’s watches in International Standard Organization (ISO), and Japan Industrial Standards (JIS). As for the ISO, Seiko lobbied the organization to amend the standard to match the actual use of diver’s watches in the deep sea. In 1996, ISO6425 with annex, about diver’s watches for mixed gas diving, was issued.
Seiko’s relentless challenge and innovation have driven the company to create a model that could truly be called authentic.