Seiko Launch Prospex SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus” and SPB347J “Noosa” Antipodean Limited Editions

Seiko are celebrating their Pacific neighbours with a pair of new Prospex diving watches themed around Australia. Called the Seiko Prospex SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus” and SPB347J “Noosa”, they might be the coolest regional exclusive watches Seiko has ever produced (much to the sadness of us here in the UK).

However, there is some good news as alongside the new watches Seiko has announced they are expanding their ocean conservation efforts. They’ve long supported international conservation through the “Save the Ocean” series, but now funds will be supplied by sales of every Prospex, not just the special editions.

Prospex SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus”

The SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus” edition is based on Seiko’s best known diving watch, the turtle. Seiko recently created the latest generation of heritage turtle divers with the thinnest proportions in the model’s history with a thickness of 12.25mm and 41mm diameter. However, the SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus” is not one of those, instead bearing the turtle’s traditionally large 45mm diameter, which suits the broad, curved surfaces.

What makes the SRPJ53K exceptional, though, is the dial. It has a stunning green gradient with sunray brushed finishing that evokes images of the titular eucalyptus tree shimmering in the Australian sunshine. It’s been paired with an olive green diving bezel and a bright yellow seconds hand, which helps draw the eye inwards to the dial. It’s as vibrant and attractive as you could possibly want.

Housed below the dial is the 4R36 automatic movement. It’s a calibre that’s been around 2011 and has plenty quality features for an accessible price. For example, it has a decent 40-hour power reserve, hacking seconds and hand-winding capacity. It’s limited to 1,000 pieces available exclusively in Australia for a price of $895 AUD (approx. £520).

Prospex SPB347J “Noosa”

The second Australian exclusive watch is the SPB347J “Noosa”, based on the Seiko Sumo. However, similar the “Eucalyptus” above, it’s based on the traditional version of the model instead of the recent King Sumo revamp. That means the SPB347J “Noosa” has a 45mm diameter case in stainless steel with rounded shoulders and a large diving bezel.

The dial is a classic diving colourway of blue-black gradient, matched by the bezel. However, while the gradient typically goes from light to dark on the vertical axis to represent the absence of light the deeper underwater you go, the “Noosa” goes from dark to light. That’s because Noosa is a famous beach in Queensland Australia and so the watch depicts standing on the shore looking out at the sea getting deeper further out.

It houses the 6R35 automatic calibre, which has a 70-hour power reserve, so it has a bit more utility than the SRPJ53K’s 4R36. Although that comes with a higher price of $1,500 AUD (approx. £875), also limited to 1,000 pieces in Australia. But considering all Prospex sales now contribute to Seiko’s ocean conservation efforts there’s even more of a reason to pick one up if you can.

Australian theme or not, these colourways are superb and worthy of international release… please Seiko, please.