Logo of SEIKO DIVER’S WATCH 55th ANNIVERSARY

Photo of SEIKO PROSPEX SEIKO DIVER’S WATCH 55th Anniversary Limited EditionsPhoto of SEIKO PROSPEX SEIKO DIVER’S WATCH 55th Anniversary Limited Editions

SEIKO PROSPEX
SEIKO DIVER'S WATCH 55th Anniversary Limited Editions

STORY

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 members of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition from 1966 to 1969. 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.

Three of the most important landmarks from Seiko's first decade as a maker of diver's watches are now re-created in celebration of the 55th anniversary of that first achievement. They are offered in the Prospex collection which is today synonymous with excellence in watches for use in all types of sports and challenging environments.

1965 - 1975Diver's Re-creation

CONCEPT

While faithful to the original designs, all three watches are fully up to date in their specifications and execution. The greatest advance is in the grade of stainless steel used in the construction of the three watches. To be known as Seiko's "Ever-Brilliant Steel," thanks to the brilliant white hue that gives this trilogy of watches its unique look, this grade of steel is more corrosion resistant than that which is used in most high-end watches today.* It is used for the first time** in the watch industry for the cases of the 1965 and 1968 re-creations and the bezel of the 1975 re-creation whose case is, like the original, in titanium. This material is used extensively in the surfaces, linings, bolts and other components of marine structures and vessels so as to avoid corrosion in a chloride-rich environment such as sea water. It presents many challenges in the manufacture of watch cases but, thanks to the 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 1965 and 1968 re-creations are powered by the high beat 8L55 movement and the 1975 re-creation carries Caliber 8L35, both developed and assembled expressly for diver's watches at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio. All three have sapphire crystals, and the 1975 re-creation has an increased anti-magnetic resistance of 40,000 a/m thanks to the dial made of pure iron.

Photo of Ever brilliant steel

* This stainless steel has a PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) value 1.7 times higher than that of the grade of steel used in most high-end watches. PREN is a widely accepted standard used to measure corrosion resistance.
** as of December 2019, based on Seiko's research.

200M

The 1965 Diver's Re-creation

Photo of SLA037J1 The 1965 Diver’s Re-creation
Photo of SLA037J1 The 1965 Diver’s Original model

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. The watch was designed for maximum reliability and legibility in the harshest conditions and was used by the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition from 1966 to 1969.

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.

Photo of SLA037J1 The 1965 Diver’s Re-creation Case design

The Prospex re-creation of this 1965 classic is faithful to the original design, but thoroughly up-to-date in its technology. It incorporates 10-beat Caliber 8L55 is made by Seiko's skilled craftsmen and women in the Shizuku-ishi Watch Studio in Morioka in the north of Japan. The case is virtually identical to the original, but its diameter has been increased by 1.9mm.

Photo of SLA037J1 The 1965 Diver’s Re-creation Case back design

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. Durability is also enhanced by the super-hard coating which protects the watch from scratches.
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.

SEIKO PROSPEX
The 1965 Diver's Re-creation

Photo of SLA037J1 The 1965 Diver’s Re-creation

SLA037J1

[ Caliber 8L55 ]

Limited edition of 1,100

Available in July 2020

Specifications

300M

The 1968 Professional Diver's 300m Re-creation

Photo of SLA039J1 The 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation
Photo of The 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Original model

The 1968 Professional Diver's 300m
Original model

Seiko's first high-beat diver's watch, created in 1968, is an important part of this tradition. With a 10-beat high precision automatic caliber, a one-piece structure, a mono-directional rotating bezel and screw-down protection crown, the success of this model laid the foundation for the Seiko diver's watch development which has now, for 50 years, pushed back the frontiers of precision, durability and ease of use in watches for professional and recreational divers.

Photo of SLA039J1 The 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation Case design

This model is a re-creation of the classic 1968 model, but with greatly enhanced specifications that incorporate the latest advancements in Seiko's craftsmanship and technology.
Like the original version, this recreation features a flat case with a sharp design. Seiko's unique Zaratsu polishing techniques accentuate the edges, bringing additional sharpness and beauty to the lugs.

Photo of SLA039J1 The 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation Case back design

While the original model was an air diver's watch, the re-creation has been upgraded for saturation diving via a resilient one-piece case structure. Even with this enhanced specification, the watch rests easily on any size wrist.

The 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation SLA039J1 360°View functionThe 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation SLA039J1 360°View function
The 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation SLA039J1 360°View functionThe 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation SLA039J1 360°View function

SEIKO PROSPEX
The 1968 Professional Diver's 300m Re-creation

Photo of SLA039J1 The 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation

SLA039J1

[ Caliber 8L55 ]

Limited edition of 1,100

Available in August 2020

Specifications

1000M

The 1975 Professional Diver's 600m Re-creation

Photo of SLA041J1 The 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation
Photo of The 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Original model

The 1975 Professional Diver's 600m
Original model

It all began with a letter from Hiroshima. The correspondent, a professional diver, explained that no watch could withstand the stresses and strains he experienced when working at depths greater than 300m. Inspired, Seiko engineers got down to work. Years of research development paid off in 1975 with the introduction of the world's first titanium cased diver's watch: the Professional Diver's 600m.

Photo of SLA041J1 The 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation Case design

This model has a titanium one-piece case and an outer case protector as same as 1975 original.
The case construction and dial layout are loyal to the original, as are the unique hour markers and the crown, while the water resistance has been increased to 1,000m. The outer case material is zirconia ceramic which is seven times harder than steel protecting the case from shock.

Photo of SLA041J1 The 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation Case back design

It features all the innovations that Seiko brought to diver's watches in the 1970's, including the double layer construction with one piece inner case, the L-shaped gasket for helium resistance and the accordion-style strap.

The 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation SLA041J1 360°View functionThe 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation SLA041J1 360°View function
The 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation SLA041J1 360°View functionThe 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation SLA041J1 360°View function

SEIKO PROSPEX
The 1975 Professional Diver's 600m Re-creation

Photo of SLA041J1 The 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation

SLA041J1

[ Caliber 8L35 ]

Limited edition of 1,100

Available in September 2020

Specifications

SEIKO DIVER'S WATCH
55th Anniversary Limited Editions
Special commemorative boxSBEX013 | SBEX015 | SBDX037 - INR 14,35,000

  • Photo of Special commemorative box
  • Photo of Special commemorative box
  • Photo of Special commemorative box
  • Photo of Special commemorative box

A special commemorative box with all three re-creations with additional black straps will be available in May 2020. Just 100 sets will be released.

Photo of Special commemorative box

Special commemorative box

Limited edition of 100

Available in May 2020

*The timing of new product release may change from original announcement.

200M

1965Diver's Modern Re-interpretation

Photo of SPB149J1 1965 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation

In addition to the limited edition trilogy, the 55th anniversary of Seiko's first diver's watch is also celebrated with an all-stainless steel modern re-interpretation.

Photo of SPB149J1 1965 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation Case designPhoto of SPB149J1 1965 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation Case design

This new version is characterized by its slim profile and a lowered center of gravity that makes it comfortable to wear on even a smaller wrist.

Photo of SPB149J1 1965 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation Dial design

It features the same special 55th anniversary blue-gray dial as graces the trilogy and comes with both a stainless steel bracelet and a silicone strap. It is powered by Caliber 6R35 that delivers a power reserve of 70 hours.

SEIKO PROSPEX
1965 Diver's Modern Re-interpretation

Photo of SPB149J1 1965 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation

SPB149J1

[Caliber 6R35]

Limited edition of 5,500

Available in June 2020

Specifications