Somehow, despite the Seiko Prospex being almost 60 years old, it has taken until 2023 for the design to feature its first mechanical GMT movement. The new Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Interpretation GMT watches reveal Seiko’s latest in-house movement, the Calibre 6R54, which is placed within two permanent GMT watches under SPB381J1 and SPB383J1 with a green or black dial and a special Save the Ocean Limited Edition located under reference SPB385J1.
You might remember last year when Seiko launched a range of Seiko 5 Sports GMT watches. These designs were quickly heralded as some of the best budget-friendly GMT watches on the market and their reputation still pertains to their success today. It did leave many Seiko fans wondering however when the dual-time complication would come to the Seiko Prospex diver’s watch, arguably the brand’s most popular line of timepieces. It took a few months but finally the combination is here with the launch of the Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Interpretation GMT watch collection. At the time of its release, the series includes three models with their primary differences found in their dial and bezel colours.
From a case and movement perspective, all three Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Interpretation GMT watches are identical, honouring a Seiko classic from 1968 with a robust and angular-shaped architecture measuring to 42mm in diameter and 12.9mm thick. The stainless steel cases are engineered with the brand’s super-hard coating for increased resistance to knocks and scratches and topped by sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating. There’s also a screwed down crown just above the 4 ‘clock position and a solid screwed down stainless steel case back to ensure its ISO-certified water resistance rating of 200 metres.
The differing colour palettes of the Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Interpretation GMT watches begin on their bezels, which as always in a Seiko Prospex watch is unidirectional and adorned with a 60-minute scale for measuring elapsed dive times. It’s true that Seiko could have swapped out the 60 minute scale here for a 24 hour bezel to match with the new GMT hand, just like they did with the Seiko 5 Sports GMT watches from last year, but we’re pleased to see they decided to keep the designs first and foremost dive watches. The Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Interpretation GMT SPB383J1 watch pairs its black dial with a black ceramic insert bezel, as does the Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean GMT watch. Meanwhile, the green-dialled SPB381J1 model elects a gorgeous deep green ceramic insert.
As aforementioned, the Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Interpretation GMT watches differ in their dial colours. There’s the two permanent SPB381J1 and SPB383J1 models with a smooth green or black backdrop while the Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean GMT Limited Edition embraces a unique pastel blue, textured surface inspired by the appearance of layered ice within polar glaciers. The layout of the hardware on all three dials is identical, presenting a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock, rounded and box-shaped hour markers and sword-shaped hands for the hours and minutes. There is the introduction of the large arrow-shaped GMT hand at the centre, coloured in gold on the black and green dials and navy blue on the Save the Ocean. Plus, since the bezel presents the 60 minute dive scale, a 24 hour scale is situated on the angled chapter ring.
For the launch of the Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Interpretation GMT watches, the Japanese watchmaker has announced the release of new in-house movement. The Calibre 6R54 is a mechanical GMT movement which delivers hours, minutes, seconds, date and GMT function alongside a frequency of 21,600vph and a power reserve of 72 hours. The GMT hand is independently adjustable. Completing all three Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Interpretation GMT watches is a robust, three-link stainless steel bracelet while the Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean GMT SPB385J1 watch arrives with an additional textile strap crafted from recycled plastic bottles using a traditional Japanese braiding technique called Seichu.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Interpretation GMT watches and shop the full collection for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 42mm x 12.9mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel with super-hard coating
- Bezel: Unidirectional with black or green ceramic insert, 60 minute scale
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Screwed down
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: Calibre 6R54 automatic winding, in-house
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, independent GMT, date
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- Jewels: 24
- Frequency: 21,600bph
- Dial: Green (SPB381J1), Black (SPB383J1), Ice Blue (SPB385J1) with Lumibrite hands and indexes
- Strap: Three-link stainless steel bracelet, additional nylon strap included for the Save the Ocean model
- Limited: Save the Ocean (SPB385J1) only at 4,000 pieces
- RRP: £1,400 (SPB381J1 & SPB383J1), £1,600 (SPB385J1)
