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1965
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.
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1968
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.
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1970
Chosen by a great adventurer
This diver’s watch from 1970 boasts water resistance to 150 meters, yet some of its most famous historical exploits occur on land. Japanese adventurer Naomi Uemura wore it on his record-breaking journey from Greenland to Alaska and on his solo expedition to the North Pole. The uniqueness of this watch’s durable design stems from the way that the crown, positioned at 4 o’clock, is protected by a large extension of the case. I believe he reached the North Pole solo once.
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1975
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 600M has been licensed for over 20 patents with only the exterior.
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1978
The Professional Diver’s 600M, the world’s first saturation diving watch featuring a quartz movement.
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1982
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.
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1985
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.
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1986
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.
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1990
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.
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1992
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.
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1995
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.
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1995
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.
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1995
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.
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2000
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.
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2005
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.
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2015
A diver’s watch with mechanical Hi-Beat Caliber 8L55
The automatic High-Beat Caliber 8L55 is developed to make diver‘s watches highly resistant to shocks and strenuous movements while achieving high, steady accuracy. It does this thanks to its high-precision rate of 10 vibrations per second.
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2018
1968 Automatic Diver’s Re-creation
Marking the 50th anniversary of the original 1968 design, this GPHG award-winning diver’s watch features a high-precision automatic caliber that beats 10 times per second. The watch has a one-piece case structure, a screw-down crown, and a unidirectionally rotating bezel. The 1968 original was made for air diving while this re-creation is specified for saturation diving.
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2019
The pinnacle of Seiko sports watches
In 2019, Seiko introduces the LX line to the Prospex collection as the pinnacle of Seiko sports watches. This diver’s watch features Seiko’s advanced 5R Spring Drive movement, which offers one-second-per-day precision and high levels of shock and temperature resistance. It wins the Diver's Watch Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2019.
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2020
Seiko Diver's Watch 55th Anniversary Limited Edition featuring Ever-Brilliant Steel
To mark 55 years since its first diver’s watch, Seiko calls on the world’s most corrosion-resistant stainless steel material, "Ever-Brilliant Steel," to craft the case for this robust sports watch.
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.
History of The Seiko Diver's Watch.
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.
Photo：The National Institute of Polar Research
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.
©Bungei Shunju
Adventure Naomi Uemura
Born in 1941, Naomi Uemura was a university student when he took on the challenge of his first mountain climb. By the age of 29, he had climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mont Blanc, and the Matterhorn. In 1970, he became the first Japanese mountaineer to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Just three months later, he reached the top of Denali in Alaska (then known as Mt. McKinley) and thus became the first adventurer in the world to reach the tallest peaks on all five continents. In 1984, he succeeded in ascending Denali during the winter but disappeared forever on the descent. Famed for his modesty as much as his achievements, Uemura was given the National Honor award shortly after his disappearance. He wore Seiko's 1968 Diver’s 300M during his successful climb of Mt. Everest and wore the 1970 Automatic Diver’s Watch during his solo dog-sled trip across the Arctic.
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
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
Innovative Technology
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.
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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.
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A dial with significant legibility.
To assure legibility in any circumstance, Seiko developed its own dial design.
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The L-shape gasket that achieved world-class impermeability.
Developing material specifically for the packing resulted to this achievement.
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Seiko’s original torque control bezel.
The original torque control bezel is smooth, safe for use , and durable.
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The world’s first outer case protector structure.
With the world’s first outer frame protector structure, the watches ensure shock resistance and reliability.
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Movements to ensure legibility and reliability.
Combined with a powerful torque to wield the remarkably legible watch hand, the antimagnetic quartz movement assures precision.
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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.
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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.
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.