SEIKO PROSPEX - A watch collector’s dream

Seiko History - A brief look:

Seiko, the brand that everyone loves for the classic looks, the indomitable style and of course the pocket-friendlinesss, so to speak. Every watch enthusiast worth their salt knows of the incredible dive watches from Seiko, especially when compared to the price points the competition has. With robust construction, utilitarian design and brilliant quality Seiko watches are always completely worth each penny that you’re paying.

Did you know? The Seiko wristwatches we see today wouldn’t have been conceptualized if it wasn’t for an incredible stroke of luck after what seemed like an incredible disaster! 

Back In 1923, when The Great Kanto Earthquake hit Japan, it almost destroyed the Seikosha factory, and it was burnt to the ground. It was only a couple of days earlier that a very important prototype for a new generation of wristwatches was made in the factory. Luckily, the piece was salvaged, and what followed was incredible to watch. Seikosha started manufacturing wristwatches based on the prototype, along with clocks, which they began the following March.

Seiko Prospex - A series like none other:

The Seiko Prospex series has been known to challenge each limit set, with an incredible collection of exquisite timepieces, made for adventure seekers, sports lovers, and those who like challenges themselves, whether on land, in the sky or in the water. Since the launch of Japan’s first-ever diver’s watch in the year 1965, Seiko has been known for its innovative technology and incredible standards. 

What is special about the Seiko Prospex?

Meant for both professional and recreational divers and adventure lovers, the best part about the Seiko Prospex series are the sturdiness and the robust build of the watch. Built to withstand different temperatures, climates and water depth, the Seiko Prospex is sure to last for decades to come, making it a perfect watch to pass on to the next generation, as well.

How much does a Seiko Watch cost?

Seiko has always been manufacturing watches with an incredible value for money, in almost every price range. From affordable quartz watches, which usually cost less than $100, to incredible luxury watches from the Grand Seiko collection, which can cost more than $10,000, Seiko has a watch for every wallet-size

What does the name Prospex mean?

The word Prospex is derived from the term - “Professional Specifications”. With scuba diving becoming incredibly popular in the 1960s, the need for a brilliant diving watch increased multifold, resulting in every watchmaker clambering to create a new diver’s watch. It was in the midst of this situation that the first-ever original Seiko - the 6217 was born, rated to 150m, the main reason why Seiko divers watches are an icon to this day. 

Top 4 watches in the Seiko Prospex Series: 

1. The Seiko PADI :

The famous Seiko PADI is named after The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), which is known to be the world’s leading scuba diver training organization. 

Given the fact that both PADI and Seiko started in the same year, 1965, and to commemorate this special bond, Seiko announced two incredible Special Edition pieces for the Prospex collection, which are known as the Seiko PADI Kinetic GMT’s Diver (SUN065) and the Seiko PADI Automatic Diver’s (SRPA21). 

Specs and movement : 

The Seiko PADI is powered by the caliber 4R36 ticking inside. A self-winding caliber with manual-winding capacity, this movement has hacking-seconds features, beats at 21,600vph, has 24 jewels and a power reserve of approximately 40 hours

The Seiko PADI comes with a comfortable 200m water resistance, and large hands and indexes, that are easy to read. The PADI version comes with a metallic bracelet with folding buckle.

2. The Seiko Turtle (SRP773J1):

This popular automatic dive watch, reference number SRP773J1, has been nicknamed “Turtle” by watch lovers across the world, owing to the shape of its case. Given the incredible combination of brilliant heritage and supreme quality, at a considerable pocket-friendly price, the Seiko Turtle sure is here to stay.

Specs and movement:

The Seiko Turtle has an in house 24 jewel automatic movement known as the 4R36. With a beautiful date display, luminous hands and special markers that have been treated with Lumibrite for extra power, this watch has amazing low light visibility. The bezel is unidirectional, with a screw-down case back. The lug width is 22mm making it super comfortable. The Seiko Turtle comes with a stainless steel bracelet, that double locks and also has a diver’s extension for ease of use. 

3. The Seiko Prospex 1970 Limited Edition SLA033

The Seiko Prospex 1970 (Limited Edition) is the latest addition to the line of limited edition dive watches being brought to us from Seiko which are based on historic models, but since have updated with the more modern, 8L series movements. Hand-assembled by expert horologists in the Seiko Shizukuishi Watch Studio, where stalwarts like the mechanical Grand Seiko and Credor watches are produced, the Seiko Prospex is surely a collector’s item. 

Specs and movement: 

The movement that powers the Seiko Prospex 1970 is known the caliber 8L35, which has a 50-hour power reserve. The water-resistance of this watch has now been increased to 200 meters making it a professional diving watch. The beautiful timepiece comes with Zaratsu-polished bezel, a hand-polishing technique that has always only been used for Grand Seiko cases. Offered as a limited edition, there are only 2,500 pieces of this watch that have been produced. The Limited Edition Seiko Prospex comes on an intricate waffle-pattern silicone strap.

4. The Seiko Street Series

Referred to lovingly by fans as The Seiko "tuna can" dive watch, the Seiko Street Series configuration has been one of the most recognizable watches in the industry. Almost as iconic as Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, or the Rolex Submariner, the watches in these series are surely a brilliant addition to any watch lover’s treasury. The basic design is derived from the 1975 ref. 6159-7010, which was essentially a 600-meter water resistant professional diver's watch.

Specs and movement: 

The powerhouse driving this incredible watch is the in-house Seiko movement, known as the Seiko in-house caliber V157. With a power reserve of an incredible 10 months after full charge, this is surely a piece to covet. The Seiko Street Series watches come in three come in three colors, blue, grey, or camo green, with a matching silicone strap in each color.

Who is the Seiko Prospex meant for?

If you love swimming, sports or adventure, and love beating the odds at every tangent, this watch is for you. Meant for sports lovers and people who like to challenge their limits physically, this watch is a brilliant addition to any adventure lover’s collection.

Celebrities who love Seiko:

Seiko watches are quite well known all around the world because of their wide range of media partnerships. With movie stalwarts and celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sigourney Weaver being seen with different Seiko watches, it has helped in the popularity of these beauties that are well known for their accuracy.

Seiko has since won many accolades, including being named as the official timekeeper for several high-level sporting events, like various FIFA World Cups and also the Olympic Games!

In a nutshell:

Apart from the fact that the Prospex series has incredible diving watches, the fact that you can find a variety of options, including watches that come with solar cells, watches that have world time functions, or even hybrid technology, you sure are in for a treat, both visual and otherwise. These incredibly robust sports watches which come both with mechanical and electrical calibers, are surely something you should be looking at if you’re an adventure lover!