While cities are the only type of safari most of us are able to enjoy for a while, that hasn’t stopped Seiko from continuing their killer Prospex creations, this time with a savannah-themed capsule collection: the Seiko Prospex Urban Safari watches.
Prospex Urban Safari SRPE29 & SRPE31
The four references in the mini-series fall into two different safari camps. The first is a pairing of the SRPE29 and SRPE31, both based on the 1975 Tuna, a watch that’s making a serious comeback.
They’re smaller than the original at 50.5mm, but at 43.2mm (Seiko hates round numbers), they’re still not exactly miniature. Both of these stainless steel hunks have a tough grey coating for extra practicality, and both are equipped with a serious 4R36 movement with a 40-hour power reserve.
The difference, obviously, is in the colour. The SRPE31 has an elephant grey dial, paired with a dive bezel and band, and white luminous hour markers. The SRPE29 is cooler, though, with a lume in a proper safari khaki and brown vintage hue. I want it. Lots.
Urban Safari “Arnie” SNJ029 and SNJ031
More intimidating is the second duo, based on the quartz-driven, part-digital H558 Arnie, the Predator watch. Needless to say, this is a manly pairing, and this time there are no concessions made to smaller wrists, with the pair measuring 47.8mm.
They keep the same look to the Schwarzenegger-replica original, but with bigger pushers and, of course, a change in color. For the SNJ029, that means khaki hour markers, indices, and strap; for the SNJ031, it’s a dark green dial and strap that complements the extremely hard-wearing plastic shield surrounding the stainless steel case.
Both are equipped with the H851-caliber analog/digital movement, befitting the militaristic vibe of instruments that survived the bombshells. Or an alien hunter – although this pair camouflages itself much better in the jungle than the original.
Neither of these watches is limited edition, but you can bet they’ll be high on a few collectors’ must-have lists – especially the Khaki Tuna.
Price and specs:
Brand: Seiko
Models: Prospex Urban Safari and Urban Safari “Arnie”
Case/dial: 43.2mm diameter x 12.67mm thickness (Prospex Urban Safari SRPE29 and SRPE31)
47.8mm diameter x 14.43mm thickness (Urban Safari “Arnie”)
Water resistance: 200m (20 bar)
Movement: Calibre 4R36, automatic, 21,600 vph (3 Hz), 40h power reserve (Prospex Urban Safari SRPE29 and SRPE31)
Calibre H851, digital/analogue (Urban Safari “Arnie”)
Strap: Silicone
Price: £510 (SRPE29 and SRPE31) and £460 (“Arnie” SNJ029 and SNJ031)
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