Designed after one of Seiko’s most recognisable dive watches from the 1970’s, the very same worn by Japanese explorer Naomi Uemura from 1974 to 1976 during his solo dog sled from Greenland to Alaska, the new Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s ‘Naomi Uemura’ Limited Edition SLA069J1 watch also celebrates the adventurer with a rare etched dial. The display tributes Uemura’s ascent on Europe’s highest peak Mont Blanc in 1966, the first of his five iconic climbs.
Choosing just one ‘flagship’ dive watch from Seiko’s vast history is impossible, but many will agree that one of their most historically important designs is that of the Seiko 6105, a 150m diver’s watch from 1970. While many Seiko collectors have dubbed reinterpretations of this watch as the Seiko “Captain Willard” for appearing in the movie Apocalypse Now, the Japanese watchmaker instead names the design after its association with Naomi Uemura. Uemura was a Japanese mountaineer who famously wore the Seiko 6105 from 1974 to 1976 during his solo dog sled from Greenland to Alaska. He is also world-renowned as the first person in the world to reach the summits of the five mountains Mont Blanc, Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Everest, and Denali. In honour of his ascent up the first mountain, Mont Blanc, Seiko have launched the Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s ‘Naomi Uemura’ Limited Edition SLA069J1 watch which neatly replicates the stylings of the Seiko 6105 and pairs it with a new blue and white colourway and mountain-etched dial.
The case of the Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s ‘Naomi Uemura’ SLA069J1 watch retains the same shape and dimensions of all recent modern interpretations of the 1970’s piece with a 44mm diameter, 13mm height and the iconic cushion-shaped profile. The case is engineered from stainless steel and treated to Seiko’s super-hard coating for increased scratch resistance. There’s also the same screw down crown and 4 o’clock, now in blue, a solid screwed case back and curved sapphire crystal glass for a 200 metre water resistant rating. The bezel adds another pop of colour to the otherwise monochromatic case, adding metallic blue to the coin-edge ring. The bezel is still unidirectional and features a black insert with a 60 minute diver’s scale adorned around its circumference.
It’s the dial of the Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s ‘Naomi Uemura’ Limited Edition SLA069J1 watch where most of the newness can be found. The white textured dial beautifully portrays an image of the Mont Blanc mountain from the exact angle that Naomi Uemura originally began his ascent. Different etching techniques have been used to create the three-dimensional finish including that of the mountain and its surrounding snow-filled sky. The rectangular shaped hour markers and sword-shaped hands are virtually identical to those used on the original 1970’s model but improve their legibility with inserts of Seiko’s Lumibrite glow in the dark coating. The seconds hand features its own Lumibrite tip alongside a small touch of red which contrasts against the rest of the Artic-inspired blue and white palette. The dial also reveals a date window between the 4 and 5 o’clock markers.
The movement used to power the Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s ‘Naomi Uemura’ SLA069J1 watch is the Japanese watchmaker’s in-house Calibre 8L35 automatic winding movement. It’s an impressive movement with a 50 hour power reserve, frequency of 28,800vph and a total of 26 jewels. It is also regulated to run within +15 to -10 seconds of deviation per day. As mentioned, the movement is kept hidden from view by a closed case back which sits comfortably against the skin thanks to the three-row link stainless steel bracelet with a locking folding clasp and wetsuit extension. The Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s ‘Naomi Uemura’ watch is limited to 500 pieces worldwide and comes delivered in an exclusive box inscribed with a quote from Naomi Uemura himself: “When one dream is realized, other dreams will follow.”
If you’d like to learn more about the Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s ‘Naomi Uemura’ SLA069J1 watch and secure one of the 500 limited edition pieces 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: 44mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel with super-hard coating
- Bezel: Unidirectional with black insert and 60 minute scale and blue metallic ring
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Crown: Blued, screw down
- Case Back: Screwed down
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: Calibre 8L35 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 50 hours
- Jewels: 26
- Frequency; 28,800vph
- Dial: Textured white dial with Mont Blanc silhouette, Lumibrite hands and markers
- Strap: Three-row link stainless steel bracelet
- Buckle: Folding with diver’s extension
- Reference: SLA069J1
- RRP: £2,600
- Limited Edition: 500 pieces
- Release Date: May 2023
