Seiko continues the celebrations of the 55th anniversary since their first diver’s watch with a new duet of Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary SLA043J1 and SPB183J1 Limited Edition watches. Earlier in March, the brand announced a similar trilogy of Prospex models under references SLA037, SLA039 and SLA041 which were inspired by three prominent historic models from Seiko’s past. Joining these, the two new Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary SLA043J1 and SPB183J1 watches equally honour their history with aesthetics based on landmark designs from 1965 and 1970.
In 1965, Seiko introduced Japan’s first ever dive watch, the 62MAS with its innovative automatic movement and 150 metre water resistance case famously proving its reliability when worn by members of the Antarctic Research Expedition from 1966 to 1969. While many other brands had beaten them to the punch launching their own divers’ models as early as 1953, the 62MAS watch revolutionised the rules of future dive watches to come. The design and its siblings that followed laid out new rules for both accessible and professional pieces also having a huge influence on the creation of the ISO 6425 standards. It is these very landmarks that Seiko celebrates this year with the release of the Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary SLA043J1 and SPB183J1 Limited Edition watches.
Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary SLA043J1 “Glacier” Limited Edition
Designed to commemorate the brand’s earliest dive watch, the 62MAS model, the new Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary SLA043J1 “Glacier” Limited Edition is a faithful re-creation with a familiar monobloc shaped case and easy to read dial with oversized markers and hands. This isn’t the first time we have seen a modern interpretation of this iconic model, with the SLA037 launched earlier this year similarly based off the same design. The new edition differentiates itself, however, with a new colour dial, bezel and strap and Hi-Beat movement.
Nicknamed the ‘Glacier’, reference SLA043J1 features a stunning marine blue dial inspired by the freezing temperatures of Antarctica seas. As previously mentioned, the original 1965 model was worn during an Antarctic Research Expedition to test its capabilities in extreme conditions. This milestone is commemorated through the design of the Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary SLA043J1 and the fine-brushed finish of the stainless steel case which is supposedly designed to represent the look of a glacier.
The limited edition continues to impress with its case engineered from the brand’s remarkable “Ever-Brilliant Steel”, a material-first for the watch industry. Otherwise known as 904L stainless steel, this material is renowned for its fantastic corrosion resistance and is widely used in the surfaces, linings, bolts and other components of marine structures and vessels because of its resistance to chloride-rich environments. The case measures to 39.9mm in size, is entirely brushed and comes equipped with a black insert unidirectional bezel and a matching black waffle-style silicone strap.
Housed within the Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary SLA043J1 “Glacier” Limited Edition and hidden behind a specially designed case back which bears the same dolphin emblem as the 1965 original, is the automatic winding 8L35 calibre. For us, the addition of this Hi Beat movement puts the SLA043J1 a step ahead of the SLA037 released earlier this year. Developed especially for diver’s, the 8L35 calibre is assembled entirely by hand at Seiko’s legendary Shizukuishi Watch Studio and is based around Grand Seiko principles. The design is finished off with a signature combination of large hands and indexes in luminous coating, a 200 metre water resistance and box-shaped sapphire crystal for enhanced legibility.
Specifications: Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary SLA043J1 “Glacier” Limited Edition
- Case Size: 39.9mm
- Case Material: Ever-Brilliant Steel
- Bezel: Unidirectional
- Glass: Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Screw down with special engraving
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: 8L35 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 50 hours
- Jewels: 26
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Blue with Lumibrite markers and hands
- Strap: Black silicon with addition blue silicon
- Buckle: Pin
- RRP: £4,080
- Limited Edition: 1,700 pieces
- Release Date: November 2020
Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary “Captain Willard” SPB183J1 Limited Edition
A likely favoured choice out of the two for collectors, the second model is the Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary SPB183J1 Limited Edition inspired by a Seiko model from the 1970’s. The Seiko 6105, now widely known as the original Seiko Turtle watch, was famously worn by Naomi Uemura during his 18 month expedition to the Artic as well as notoriously appearing on the wrist of Captain Willard in the cult 1979 film Apocalypse Now.
The Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary “Captain Willard” SPB183J1 Limited Edition is another faithful re-edition, this time slightly smaller than the original but still entirely respectful in the rest of its aesthetic. The familiar asymmetrical case measures to 42.7mm in diameter and is engineered from 316L stainless steel with a super-hard coating. The case is also paired with a unidirectional rotating blue aluminium insert bezel with 120 clicks and 60 minute scale, a 200 metre water resistance and of course, the iconic 4 o’clock positioned screw down crown.
As with all Seiko diving watches, the Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary SPB183J1 provides effortless legibility with luminous indexes and hands, a stunning gold-coloured seconds hand and a date window at 3 o’clock, all presented on a handsome blue face. The 6R35 automatic winding calibre is housed within, providing a 3Hz frequency and 70 hour power reserve beneath curved sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating. To complete the look, the limited edition is fitted with a stainless steel bracelet and folding clasp and diving extension while an additional blue silicone strap is included in the box.
Specifications: Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary “Captain Willard” SPB183J1 Limited Edition
- Case Size: 42.7mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel with super-hard coating
- Bezel: Unidirectional
- Glass: Curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Screw down
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: 6R35 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 70 hours
- Jewels: 24
- Frequency: 21,600vph
- Dial: Blue with Lumibrite markers and hands
- Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with additional silicon strap included
- Buckle: Folding buckle with divers extension
- RRP: £1,230
- Limited Edition: 5,500 pieces
- Release Date: November 2020
