After the raging success of Seiko’s 62MAS reissue last year (resulting in the SPB051/053) Seiko has decided to continue the trend of modernizing and re-releasing classic divers this year.
Just announced at this years major watch fair in Basel, Switzerland are six new Prospex dive watches that are recreations/variations of a couple of classic Seiko divers.
First are four watches that are inspired by a watch first released in 1968, powered with a hi-beat movement and capable of 300 meters depth.
The 1968 Original Hi-Beat Diver
The Limited Edition SLA025
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Specifications
- Seiko caliber 8L55 hi-beat automatic mechanical movement
- 36,000 bph (10 beats per second)
- 55 hour power reserve
- Stainless steel case with super hard coating
- Dual curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- 300 meters depth resistance, rated for saturation diving
- 44.8mm diameter
- 15.7mm thick
- Silicone diving strap
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The SLA025 is a limited edition of 1500 pieces that is a faithful recreation of the 1968 diver, but with modern technology. Expect to pay a lot for this one, Seiko’s recommended retail price is 5,500 Euros
The Limited Edition SLA019
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Specifications
- Seiko caliber 8L35 automatic mechanical movement
- 28,800 bph (8 beats per second)
- 50 hour power reserve
- Stainless steel case and bracelet with super hard coating
- Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- 300 meters depth resistance, rated for saturation diving
- 44.3mm diameter
- 15.4mm thick
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A lot of people are loving this green dialed and bezeled variation of the 1968 classic. The SLA019 is a limited edition of 1,968 pieces, and while it’s definitely still a high end Seiko diver, it’ll be available for less than the SLA025 above. Seiko’s recommended retail price is 3,200 Euro.
The SPB077 and SPB079 Re-interpretations
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SPB077
SPB079
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Specifications
- Seiko caliber 6R15 automatic mechanical movement
- 21,600 bph (6 beats per second)
- 50 hour power reserve
- Stainless steel case and bracelet (SPB077) with super hard coating
- Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- 200 meters depth resistance, rated for saturation diving
- 44mm diameter
- 13.1mm thick
- Silicone strap (SPB079)
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The SPB077 and SPB079 are not limited editions, but regular production models. You get the lower end 6R15 movement and the more standard 200 meter depth resistance, without the rating for saturation diving. So you can expect these to be a bit more available and affordable, with Seiko’s recommended retail price being around 1,000 Euros.
I wish they’d made the same color scheme as the SLA025 available in one of the lower end watches, cause I would love to get my hands on that style.
The 1978 Quartz Saturation Diver’s Limited Editions S23626 and S23627
Seiko’s celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first professional quartz diver with a reissue of the 1978 Saturation diver.
1978 Original Quartz Saturation Diver
They’re releasing two variations – one thats a faithful copy of the original (the S23626) and the rose gold S23627
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S23626
S23627
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Specifications
- Seiko caliber 7C46 quartz movement
- +/- 15 seconds per month accuracy
- Titanium inner case and zirconia ceramic (S23626) or Cermet (S23627) outer protector
- Sapphire crystal
- 1,000 meters depth resistance, rated for saturation diving
- 49.4mm diameter
- 15.3mm thick
- Silicone strap (SPB079)
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The S23626 will be available for a suggested retail price of 2,400 Euro, with a limited edition run of 1,978 watches. The S23627 has a suggested retail price of 3,000 Euro, and a run of only 800 watches.
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