In case the furor over every new Prospex release is too subtle, collectors love the Seiko Diver. It has always been a cornerstone of the tool watch world, with the first one released in 1965. Sure that was later than brands like Blancpain and Rolex, but that didn’t stop Seiko from releasing one of the most important dive watches ever – and now, it’s been re-released alongside two equally influential siblings in the Seiko Diver 55th Anniversary Trilogy.
Re-creation of the 1965 Diver “62MAS” (reference SLA037 or SBEX009)
First up was the original Seiko 6217-8000/1 from 1965, better known as the “62Mas”, a watch that played a major role in the success of the current Prospex range. Dubbed the SLA037, this re-created version is relatively authentic in style, with much of its design coming from the original, right down to the indexes. The difference is in the size, which has changed slightly, to 39.9mm in diameter.
The materials have also changed. It uses Seiko’s own Ever-Brilliant Steel, which is more corrosion-resistant than regular steel, and has a bright white appearance. It goes really well with the blue-grey dial and matching strap.
Inside is the 8L55 high-beat 5Hz movement with a 55-hour power reserve and a 5Hz frequency, and this movement is every bit as practical and rugged as the rest of the watch.
Price and specs:
Model name: 1965 Diver’s Re-creation “62MAS” Ref: SLA037; SBEX009Case/dial: 39.9mm diameter x 14.7mm height, Ever-Brilliant steelWater resistance: 200m (20 ATM)Movement: 8L55 calibre, automaticFunctions: Hours, minutes, secondsFrequency: 36,000 vph (5 Hz)Power reserve: 55 hoursStrap: Blue “tropical” siliconePrice: 5,600 GBP, limited to 1,100 pieces, available August 2020
More details on Seiko’s website.
300m Recreation of the 1968 Professional Diver (reference SLA039 or SBEX011)
Based on the 1968 Hi-Beat Diver, this second re-release fast-forwards the clock 3 years. Seiko gave the watch a modern reinterpretation in 2018, but the SLA039 is once again perfectly faithful to the historical version. It also once again features Ever-Brilliant Steel and a grey-blue dial, with 300m water resistance and the same Hi-Beat movement beating at 36,000 bph.
The main difference – aside from a few aesthetic tweaks – is the size. The Hi-Beat Recreation has a diameter of 44.8mm. It’s not the largest watch Seiko has ever made – not even the largest of these three Underwater Musketeers – but it’s not exactly puny.
Price and specs:
Model name: 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation Ref: SLA039; SBEX011Case/Dial: 44.8mm diameter x 15.7mm height, Ever-Brilliant steelWater resistance: 300m (30 ATM)Movement: 8L55 calibre, automaticFunctions: Hours, minutes, secondsFrequency: 36,000 vph (5 Hz)Power reserve: 55 hoursStrap: Blue siliconePrice: £6,050, limited to 1,100 pieces, available July 2020
More details on Seiko’s website.
1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation (reference SLA041 or SBDX035)
The final watch of the party is the one I’d most like to get my hands on: the famous 1975 “Tuna”. With 600m of water resistance and a unique shape, its not-so-charming name is the pinnacle of Seiko’s diving expertise. It’s also incredibly cool, and in this re-creation (SLA041), it brings those vintage quirks back to the forefront — only amplified to the extreme.
The original 1968 Hi-beat Diver’s 300m, 1965 62MAS 150m, and 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m.
And I mean extreme; depth resistance has been extended to 1,000m, and thanks to its iron dial, magnetic resistance is enough to survive an MRI. It’s a solid metal barrier protecting the calibre 8L35, a lower-beat version of the other two movements. If I thought I could get away with that 52.4mm Ever-Brilliant Steel case, I’d place an order myself.
Price and specifications:
Model name: 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation Ref: SLA041; SBDX035
Case/dial: 52.4mm diameter x 17.2mm height, Ever-Brilliant stainless steel
Water resistance: 1000m (100 ATM)
Movement: 8L35 calibre, automatic
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 50
Hours Strap: Blue silicone strap
Price: ÂŁ3,900, limited to 1,100 pieces, available September 2020
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