In 2000 Seiko launched the limited edition Landmaster Naomi Uemura (reference SBDW002), a professional watch that celebrates the great achievements of Naomi Uemura, who accomplished numerous adventures equipped with Seiko watches.
Seiko’s professional watches began in 1965 with the launch of Japan’s first diver’s watch. The Seiko diving watch was adopted by the 8th Antarctic Wintering Expedition in 1966, and the reliability of the product was proven under extremely low temperatures.
Seiko’s professional timepieces also supported Mr. Uemura’s great explorations. In the 1990s, Japanese explorer Mitsuro Mitsuro Ohba approached the company to create a timepiece with protective features to counter the polar magnetism. His inputs helped Seiko to create the iconic Landmaster watches.
Mitsuro Mitsuro Ohba was the first person in the world to cross the Arctic and Antarctica alone. The Seiko Kinetic Landmaster Mitsuro Ohba Transpolar Adventure World Record model (SBCW009) was created in collaboration with his daring explorer.
In 1998, Seiko created the Landmaster Sagarmatha SBCW021 watch in partnership with Japanese mountaineer Ken Noguchi, who became the youngest person to climb the world’s highest peaks on the 7 continents.
The case of Seiko Landmaster Naomi Uemura is a one-piece structure that ensured efficient water-proofing. Although it has a solid size, it is made of ceramic material, making it lightweight and about 10 times harder than titanium. Ceramic materials are resistant to rust and heat, and are less likely to cause allergic reactions. The model uses two types of ceramics: cermet (silver) and zirconia (black).
Based on the theme of Naomi Uemura’s epic Arctic adventures, this model extensively incorporates Seiko’s technology cultivated based on the experience in actual use.
Near the North Pole, the compass needle does not work well due to the difference between the geomagnetism and the geographic poles. The Seiko Landmaster Naomi Uemura watch features a 24-hour hand, and it is possible to determine the North Pole direction simply by pointing this 24-hour hand toward the sun. In addition, the direction display is given to the bezel with three-dimensional characters that have good visibility and a sense of quality.
The watch houses a self-winding quartz kinetic 5M65 caliber that has a power reserve of 6 months once fully charged, so there is no need to replace the battery.
In honor of the adventurer Naomi Uemura, the dial is marked with his name and dog sledding adventure. In addition, a map of the world centered on the North Pole is laid out on the dial using a method of hidden printing, befitting the track record of traveling around the world. The letters “NORTH POLE” are placed in the center of the glass.
The sales volume was limited to 700 pieces. Serial numbers from 001/700 to 700/700 are marked on the back of the case. Released in Japan in February 2000, the Seiko Landmaster Naomi Uemura watch had a retail price of 300,000 yen.
Technical details
Model: Seiko Landmaster Naomi Uemura Reference SBDW002
Movement
Seiko 5M65 Kinetic caliber (with 24 hour hand, about 6 months drive when fully charged)
Time accuracy: Average monthly difference within ±15 seconds (when worn on the arm at temperatures between 5°C and 35°C)
Calendar-linked hour hand independent time difference correction function
Date at 3H
Case
Case: Cermet
Bezel: Zirconia
Case diameter: 41mm (appx.)
Lug width: 19mm
Glass Sapphire glass (with non-reflective coating)
Screw-down crowd
20 ATM/200m water resistant
24-hour scale rotating bezel
Dial
Black dial with world map
Lumed hands and hour-markers
Bracelet
Cermet and Zirconia bracelet with titanium clasp
Edition
Limited to 700 pieces
