From SEIKO PROSPEX, a limited edition model faithfully recreating the design of the first Alpinist, born in 1959 and the pioneer of Seiko's sports watches, will be available starting Friday, August 6, 2021. Three regular models, based on the same design but with modern aesthetics, are also scheduled to be released simultaneously.

The "Laurel Alpinist," born in 1959, was developed as a watch that could withstand tough sports scenes as mountaineering and skiing began to gain popularity, preceding the leisure boom of the 1960s. Since then, the "Alpinist" series has been loved worldwide as a sports watch that excels in a wide range of situations, from outdoor activities like trekking and mountaineering to everyday use. The pursuit of functionality to meet the demands of outdoor scenes, which began with this model, was passed down to the first Japanese diver's watch born in 1965, becoming the origin of all Seiko sports watches.

The original "Laurel Alpinist" featured a distinctively large watch pad and met the specifications of a practical watch capable of withstanding harsh environments. A highly airtight screw-back case was adopted to prevent dust and sand ingress, and the leather watch pad served to protect the watch from sweat. Luminescent paint applied to the hour, minute, and all index hands, along with the easily recognizable wedge-shaped indices at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions, ensured high visibility day and night, earning it support from fans as a highly practical timepiece.

The "SEIKO PROSPEX 1959 Alpinist Reissue Design," which faithfully reproduces the original model's design, achieves a significant upgrade in specifications after 62 years. The layout, with wedge-shaped indices at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions clearly defining horizontal and vertical lines, combined with the Lumibrite applied to the hour and minute hands and indices, ensures high visibility.

The gently curved, dome-shaped glass has been upgraded to a box-shaped sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on the inner surface, allowing for stress-free reading. The watch pad, inherited from the original model, protects the watch from sweat, and the improved water resistance to 10 bar ensures durability in tough environments, such as mountaineering.

The movement utilizes Seiko's thinnest mechanical automatic Caliber 6L35, maintaining a mere one-millimeter difference from the original hand-wound model while offering automatic winding and an accuracy of +15 to -10 seconds per day.

Furthermore, three "SEIKO PROSPEX 1959 Alpinist Modern Design" models are also available, reinterpreting the original model's distinctive design with modern aesthetics and upgraded specifications. While inheriting the design layout with wedge-shaped indices, they boast a charm that is both modern and classic. The sleek, elongated case has been updated to a contemporary 38mm diameter, finished with both hairline and mirror polishing. The mechanical Caliber 6R35 movement offers approximately 70 hours of power reserve, providing the practicality of being usable on Monday even if not worn over the weekend. With Lumibrite-applied indices and hands, 20 bar water resistance, and other reliable specifications for a true sports watch, their refined appearance also suits business settings, making them versatile for all occasions.