Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation Save the Ocean Limited Edition, Reference SLA055J1

Seiko presents the new Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation watch (reference SLA055J1/ JDM SBDX049) from its Save the Ocean limited edition series.

Japan’s first diver’s watch

In 1965, Seiko introduced its and Japan’s first diver’s watch. With water resistance to 150m and an automatic movement, it proved its high quality and reliability when worn by members of the 8th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition in 1966.

Thanks to the positive reaction of the members of the expedition on their return, Seiko’s diver’s watches were chosen by the same research team between the years 1966 and 1969, during which time the landmark Seiko diver’s watch with 300m water resistance and a 10-beat automatic movement was created, in 1968.

Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation, Reference SLA055J1

Now, Seiko expands its Prospex collection with a new interpretation of the 1968 diver’s watch that is even better equipped to meet the challenge of the most extreme conditions on earth. This watch, with its advanced specifications, will be worn by members of the 63rd Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition’s mission to Antarctica.

The case, bezel and crown are all made of Seiko’s Ever-Brilliant Steel, which is more corrosion resistant than the regularly used stainless steel. To further ensure the watch’s durability, the crown is not screwed directly into the case but locked into a separate component that is built into the case and so can be more easily replaced.

The Seiko Prospex SLA055J1 watch houses the Caliber 8L35, an automatic movement developed especially for diver’s watches. Hand-assembled at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio in northern Japan, this  self-winding mechanical caliber is accurate and rigid. It has a power reserve of 50 hours.

The patterned dial captures the feeling of the Antarctic landscape while the subtle gradation of the blue from light to dark echoes the beautiful colors of the polar ice. The bezel also evokes the uniqueness of this frozen landscape with its ice-blue numerals and markers.

All twelve-hour markers have a generous coating of Lumibrite, as do the hands, and the crystal is a dual-curved sapphire with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface to ensure high legibility from every angle.

The design and texture of the watch strap pay homage to the 1968 original but it is now produced in silicone for greater strength and comfort. The watch is also offered with a fabric strap which incorporates a traditional braiding technique from Japan called Seichu.

Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Series

This new watch joins the Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean series in support of several different marine conservation initiatives, one of which involves contributions to the National Institute of Polar Research, which is based in Tokyo. As part of this program, Seiko recently donated watches to the 63rd Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) team.

This new Prospex diver’s watch will be available as a limited edition of 1,300 at the Seiko Boutiques and selected retail partners worldwide in January 2022.

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Model: Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation Save the Ocean Limited Edition, Reference SLA055J1, JDM Number SBDX049

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 and dial
Ever-Brilliant Steel case and bezel
Dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface
Screw case back. Screw-down crown
LumiBrite on hands and indexes
Water resistance: 200m diver’s
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 42.6mm, Thickness: 13.1mm

Strap
Silicone strap with additional fabric strap included

Price
Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: €4,600

Edition
Limited edition of 1,300 pieces