Seiko Diver’s Watch 55th Anniversary Limited Editions

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The new Seiko Diver Watch 55th anniversary collection pays tribute to three legendary diver’s watches: 1968 Hi-beat Diver’s 300m, 1965 62MAS 150m, 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m.

In 1965, Seiko created its first ever diver’s watch. This highly reliable automatic dive watch had a water resistance up to 150m. It is also the first ever dive watch made in Japan. It was used by members of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition from 1966 to 1969.

Encouraged by the success of their first diver’s watch, Seiko’s engineers continued their development work to better meet the needs of the professional diver. In 1968, Seiko launched its first diver’s watch with 300m water resistance and a 10-beat automatic movement.

1968 Hi-beat Diver’s 300m, 1965 62MAS 150m, 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m
Inspiration: 1968 Hi-beat Diver’s 300m, 1965 62MAS 150m, 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m

In 1975, Seiko produced a 600m diver’s watch featuring a titanium one-piece case and an outer case protector. It used a specially developed L-shaped gasket to make it impervious to helium without the need for an escape valve. It had an accordion-style strap that made the watch secure on the wrist whatever the ambient pressure.

This unique watch changed forever the world’s expectation of what a diver’s watch could deliver and its unique construction and popularity led to it being given the name “Tuna” by watch fans across the world.

Seiko Diver’s Watch 55th Anniversary Limited Editions

In 2020, marking the 55th anniversary of its first diving watch, Seiko is introducing re-editions of three of the most important and historic divining watches from Seiko’s first decade as a maker of diver’s watches.

Seiko Diver’s Watch 55th Anniversary Limited Editions

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.

Known as Ever-Brilliant Steel, its brilliant white hue gives this trilogy of watches its unique look.  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. 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.

The 1965 and 1968 re-creations house 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 the three Seiko Diver Watch 55th anniversary models have sapphire crystals with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface. The 1975 re-creation has an increased anti-magnetic resistance of 40,000 a/m thanks to its pure iron dial.

Part of the Prospex collection, all three re-creations share the same blue-gray dial. In particular, the subtle gradation of the dial color on the 1965 and 1968 re-creations dramatizes the way that light gradually fades as one dives deeper into the dark, mysterious world of the ocean.

Straps

The straps also pay homage to the originals while being modern in both the material used and their color. The rubber strap with a fabric-like texture of the 62MAS from 1965 is reproduced in silicone for greater strength and comfort. The strap on the 1968 re-creation is also in silicone and has the same pyramid pattern as its predecessor and the 1975 professional diver’s re-creation comes with the signature accordion-type strap.

Availability

All three watches will be made available as limited editions of 1,100 at Seiko boutiques and selected retailers worldwide. The 1965, 1968, and 1975 re-creations will be introduced in June, July, and August 2020 respectively.

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.

Seiko Diver’s Watch 55th Anniversary: 1965 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation, Prospex SPB149J1

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. 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.

The Seiko Prospex SPB149J1 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 houses the Caliber 6R35 that delivers a power reserve of 70 hours.

The Seiko 1965 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation will be available in a limited edition of 5,500 at Seiko boutiques and selected retailers worldwide from June 2020.

Model: The 1965 Diver’s Re-creation, Seiko Prospex Reference SLA037J1 (JDM SBEX009)

Seiko 1965 Diver’s Re-creation (Prospex SLA037)

Movement
Caliber 8L55
Driving system: Automatic
Vibrations: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second)
Power reserve: 55 hours
Number of jewels: 37

Case
Ever-Brilliant Steel case
Box shape sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface
Screw-down crown, screw case back
LumiBrite on hands and indexes
Water resistance: 200m diver’s
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter 39.9mm, Thickness: 14.7mm

Strap
Silicone strap

Retail price
Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: €6,500

Edition
Limited Edition of 1,100

Model: The 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation, Seiko Prospex Reference SLA039J1 (JDM SBEX011)

Seiko Diver’s Watch 55th Anniversary Limited Editions, Model: The 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation (Prospex SLA039)

Movement
Caliber 8L55
Driving system: Automatic
Vibrations: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second)
Power reserve: 55 hours
Number of jewels: 37

Case
Ever-Brilliant Steel case
Dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface
LumiBrite on hands and indexes
Water resistance: 300m saturation diver’s
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 44.8mm, Thickness: 15.7mm

Strap
Silicone strap

Retail price
Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: €7,000

Edition
Limited edition of 1,100

Model: The 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation, Seiko Prospex Tuna Reference SLA041J1 (SBDX035)

Seiko Diver’s Watch 55th Anniversary Limited Editions, Model: The 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation (Prospex SLA041)

Movement
Caliber 8L35
Driving system: Automatic
Vibrations: 28,800 vibrations per hour (8 beats per second)
Power reserve: 50 hours
Number of jewels: 26

Case
Titanium inner case (super hard coating) with Ever-Brilliant Steel bezel
Sapphire crystal
LumiBrite on hands and indexes
Water resistance: 1000m saturation diver’s
Magnetic resistance: 40,000 A/m
Diameter 52.4mm, Thickness: 17.2mm

Strap
Silicone strap

Retail price
Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: €4,500

Edition
Limited edition of 1,100

Model: 1965 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation, Seiko Prospex Reference SPB149J1 (SBDC107)

Seiko Diver’s Watch 55th Anniversary Limited Editions, Model: 1965 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation (Prospex SPB149)

Movement
Caliber 6R35
Driving system: Automatic
Vibrations: 21,600 vibrations per hour (6 beats per second)
Power reserve: 70 hours
Number of jewels: 24

Case
Stainless steel case and bracelet with super-hard coating
Curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Screw-down crown, screw case back
Lumibrite on hands and indexes
Water resistance: 200m diver’s
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter 40.5mm, Thickness: 13.2mm

Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release, secure lock and extender, with a silicone strap included

Retail price
Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: €1,350

Edition
Limited edition of 5,500