Taking inspiration from the aurora borealis, aka the northern lights, Seiko introduces a new limited edition into their Prospex 1970’s Reinterpretation Divers collection. The Seiko Prospex Divers ‘Aurora’ SLA063J1 Limited Edition watch adds a touch of brilliance to its dial and bezel with a gorgeous blue gradient effect evoking the colours seen in the Arctic night sky.
Back in 1968, Seiko launched one of their most historically important timepieces, the 6105 divers watch. With its 150 metre water resistant rating, 4 o’clock positioned crown and bulky crown protector, the Seiko watch became famous for two reasons. The first was that it appeared on the wrist of Captain Willard played by Martin Sheen in the 1979 movie, Apocalypse Now. It is for this reason that the watches inspired by the original design are often nicknamed the Seiko Captain Willard. The second reason was that it was tested to the extremes by famous Japanese explorer Naomi Uemura. In celebration of what would have been the 80th birthday of Naomi Uemura last year, Seiko launched a duo of special Seiko Prospex Diver 1970’s Reinterpretation watches, and before and after, we have welcomed several other editions. Now technically identical to the rest but offering a new range of colours and textures is the Seiko Prospex Divers ‘Aurora’ SLA063J1 Limited Edition watch.
Starting with the specifications you’ll be familiar with, the case of the Seiko Prospex Divers ‘Aurora’ SLA063J1 watch features a 44mm diameter and a height of 13mm. It is engineered from classic stainless steel and yet ensures increased durability thanks to the brand’s super-hard coating. The iconic profile of the original Captain Willard watch remains including its rounded edges, integrated lugs and asymmetrical crown guard which protects the screw in crown placed at 4 o’clock. The case is given a gorgeous polish using Seiko’s legendary Zaratsu technique and is secured to the wrist by a five-row link stainless steel bracelet with super-hard coating and a folding clasp with a secure lock with push-button release and extender. You’ll also receive an additional black silicone strap with every purchase of the Seiko Prospex Divers ‘Aurora’ SLA063J1 Limited Edition.
Up top, the Seiko Prospex Divers ‘Aurora’ SLA063J1 watch presents a unidirectional rotating bezel with a blue-coloured hard coated insert ring which begins the design’s storytelling of the Arctic night sky. The metallic insert is also adorned with a 60 minute scale, upholding the design’s heritage as a diver’s watch. The scale is printed in white, entirely graduated and paired with a luminous triangle marker at 12 o’clock. Beside the bezel is a layer of sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment which alongside the screw down crown and case back, allows for a water resistant rating of 200 metres.
Continuing the northern lights-inspired colourway, the dial of the Seiko Prospex Divers ‘Aurora’ SLA063J1 Limited Edition watch is finished in the same stunning shade of blue. The dial also presents a unique three-dimensional pattern which according to Seiko is designed to evoke “the aurora that shines in the polar sky.” It’s a truly beautiful centrepiece with a subtle gradient effect with the shade of blue darkening at the edges. The dial retains the box-shaped indexes and baton hands for the hours and minutes, all coated in glow in the dark Lumibrite. The seconds hand is also luminous on the tip and delivers a subtle accent of orange. A date window is included between the 4 and 5 o’clock marker.
Housed within the Seiko Prospex Divers ‘Aurora’ SLA063J1 watch is the Calibre 8L35. Alongside its 50 hour power reserve and frequency of 28,800vph, it delivers an impressive accuracy rating of 15 to -10 seconds per day. The movement is largely considered one of Seiko’s best automatic winding movements and is designed especially for the Prospex collection by the talented watchmakers at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio in northern Japan.
If you’d like to learn more about the Seiko Prospex Divers ‘Aurora’ SLA063J1 watch and get your hands on 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: 44m
- Case Material: Stainless steel with super hard coating
- Bezel: Unidirectional with blue hard coated insert, 60 minute scale
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- 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 blue with gradient effect, Lumibrite hands and indexes
- Strap: Five-row link stainless steel bracelet with super hard coating plus additional black rubber strap
- Buckle: Folding clasp with secure lock, push button release and extender
- RRP: £2,740
- Reference: SLA063J1
- Limited Edition: 500 pieces
- Release Date: October 2022
