In case the furore over every new Prospex release is too subtle, collectors love a Seiko diver. It’s been a cornerstone of the tool watch world, with the first one released way back in 1965. Sure that’s later than the likes of Blancpain and Rolex, but that didn’t stop Seiko’s first being one of the most important diving watches ever released – and now, re-released alongside two of its equally influential siblings in the Seiko Diver’s 55th Anniversary Trilogy.
1965 Diver’s Re-creation “62MAS” (Ref. SLA037 or SBEX009)
The first is that 1965 original, the Seiko 6217-8000/1, better known as the “62Mas”, a watch that has played a large part in the success of the current Prospex line. This re-created version, dubbed the SLA037, is relatively authentic in style, taking much of its design from the original, right down to the indexes. The difference is that the dimensions have been altered slightly, with a 39.9mm diameter.
The materials have changed, too. It uses Seiko’s own Ever-Brilliant Steel, which has greater corrosion resistance to normal steel and has a bright white look to it. It works phenomenally well with the blue-grey dial and matching strap.
Inside is the hi-beat 5Hz calibre 8L55, with its 55-hour power reserve and 5Hz frequency, a movement every bit as practical and solid as the rest of the watch.
Price & Specs:
Model Name: 1965 Diver’s Re-creation “62MAS”
Ref: SLA037; SBEX009
Case/Dial: 39.9mm diameter x 14.7mm height, Ever-Brilliant steel
Water resistance: 200m (20 ATM)
Movement: Calibre 8L55, automatic winding
Functions: Hour, minute, second
Frequency: 36,000 vph (5 Hz)
Power reserve: 55h
Strap: Blue “tropic” silicone
Price: £5,600, limited to 1,100 pieces, available August 2020
More details at Seiko’s website.
1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation (Ref. SLA039 or SBEX011)
The second re-release fast-forwards the clock by 3 years, based as it is on the 1968 Hi-Beat Diver. Seiko build a modern re-interpretation of the watch back in 2018, but the SLA039 is once again nicely true to the historical version. Once again too it is dressed in Ever-Brilliant Steel and a grey-blue dial, complete with 300m water resistance and the same Hi-Beat movement, with its 36,000 beats per hour.
Price & Specs:
Model Name: 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation
Ref: SLA039; SBEX011
Case/Dial: 44.8mm diameter x 15.7mm height, Ever-Brilliant steel
Water resistance: 300m (30 ATM)
Movement: Calibre 8L55, automatic
Functions: Hour, minute, second
Frequency: 36,000 vph (5 Hz)
Power reserve: 55h
Strap: Blue silicone
Price: £6,050, limited to 1,100 pieces, available July 2020
More details at Seiko’s website.
1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation (Ref. SLA041 or SBDX035)
The final watch to the party is the one I’m keenest to get hands-on with: the famous 1975 “Tuna.” With 600m water resistance and the unique shape from which its got its less-than-glamorous name, it’s the pinnacle of Seiko diving expertise. It’s also painfully cool and in this re-creation (the SLA041) it brings those retro quirks back to the forefront – just amped up to the extreme.
The original 1968 Hi-beat Diver’s 300m, 1965 62MAS 150m and 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m.
And I do mean extreme; the depth resistance has been extended to 1,000m and the magnetic resistance is enough to survive an MRI thanks to its iron dial. It’s a solid barrier of metal to protect the 8L35 calibre movement, a lower-frequency version of the movements in the other two recreations. I’d put my own order in if I thought I could get away with that 52.4mm Ever-Brilliant Steel case.
Price & Specs:
Model Name: 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation
Ref: SLA041; SBDX035
Case/Dial: 52.4mm diameter x 17.2mm height, Ever-Brilliant steel
Water resistance: 1000m (100 ATM)
Movement: Calibre 8L35, automatic
Functions: Hour, minute, second
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 50h
Strap: Blue silicone strap
Price: £3,900, limited to 1,100 pieces, available September 2020
More details at Seiko’s website.
