WATCH & JEWELRY /
SIHH＆BASEL
May 23, 2019
A revival of the iconic 1970 mechanical diver's watch, also favored by adventurer Naomi Uemura | SEIKO
SEIKO | SEIKO
Limited to 2,500 pieces worldwide. | SEIKO Prospex
Diver Scuba 1970 Mechanical Divers Re-creation Design
SEIKO Prospex, a sports watch brand that has released epoch-making watches equipped with its own technology for over 50 years since manufacturing Japan's first diver's watch in 1965. From this sports watch brand, a re-creation of the 1970 model, known to have been carried by adventurer Naomi Uemura on his dog sledding journey in the Arctic, is released as the "SEIKO Prospex Diver Scuba 1970 Mechanical Divers Re-creation Design," limited to 2,500 pieces worldwide.
Text by OZAKI Sayaka
Retaining the original's atmosphere while upgrading aesthetics and performance
SEIKO Prospex is a sports watch brand equipped with authentic functions suitable for sports and outdoor scenes such as diving and trekking.
Following the first Japanese-made diver's watch manufactured in 1965, the 150-meter diver's watch manufactured in 1970, with its futuristic form and tough specifications, has been loved by fans worldwide.
Notably, it was carried by adventurer Naomi Uemura on his 12,000-kilometer dog sledding journey in the Arctic from 1974 to 1976, proving its high reliability in harsh environments.
The model actually used by Naomi Uemura.
The "SEIKO Prospex Diver Scuba 1970 Mechanical Divers Re-creation Design," a remake of this original 1970 model, has been released.
For the re-creation, the case with the original model's flowing form was Zaratsu polished to reproduce its unique shape, while the proprietary DiaShield coating technology was applied to preserve the material's inherent beauty and delicate surface finish for a long time. The water resistance, originally 150 meters, has been upgraded to 200-meter air diving specifications.
Furthermore, the strap material, featuring SEIKO's original pyramid-textured pattern, has been changed from vinyl chloride to reinforced silicone. The crystal has also been upgraded from inorganic glass to sapphire, achieving both aesthetics and durability befitting a modern luxury timepiece.
The movement employs the "8L35," a mechanical movement exclusively for diver's watches produced by the Shizukuishi Watch Studio, which handles everything from parts manufacturing to assembly, significantly enhancing the watch's fundamental performance. Meanwhile, the case back, indicating the water resistance, features the same horseshoe-shaped marking as the original, imbuing this re-creation, a modern masterpiece, with the charm of the 1970s.
SEIKO Prospex Diver Scuba 1970 Mechanical Divers Re-creation Design
Ref. | SBDX031
Movement | Automatic (Caliber 8L35)
Power Reserve | Approx. 50 hours
Case Material | SS (DiaShield coating)
Case Diameter | 45mm
Strap Material | Reinforced silicone
Water Resistance | 200m air diving
Price | ¥450,000 (excluding tax)
Limited Edition | 2,500 pieces worldwide
Inquiries
SEIKO WATCH Customer Service Center
Tel. 0120-061-012
https://www.seikowatches.com/jp-ja/products/prospex