The Seiko Prospex SLA055 Dive Watch

Seiko Prospex SLA055 - $4,600

Out of Stock.

PROSPEX 1968 DIVER'S MODERN RE-INTERPRETATION

1968 Diver's Watch Modern Re-Interpretation Limited Edition. Designed for those who treat life as the ultimate adventure, the Seiko Prospex line meets every challenge with technological excellence and style. Part of a rich legacy of innovation in high-intensity timekeeping, Prospex continues to celebrate a long history of sports watch excellence with re-creations and re-interpretations of landmark achievements. Recalling Seiko's part in the Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions (JARE), this exceptional timepiece is available only in a limited edition of 1,300, with the serial number engraved on each caseback. A portion of the limited edition will be donated to contemporary researchers, including those dedicated to saving the endangered polar ice sheets suggested by the blue gradated dial. Re-interpreting Seiko's renowned 1968 diver's watch, with updated technology, sleeker lines and fine Zaratsu polishing, this extraordinary watch is crafted of Seiko's Ever-Brilliant Steel, offering an exceptional level of corrosion resistance and a lighter, brighter finish. The caliber 8L35 26-jewel automatic movement, crafted at Seiko's Shizukuichi watch studio with the increased torque necessary for diving, beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, with a power reserve of approximately 50 hours, and provides manual winding capability. Following ISO standards for scuba diving to depths of up to 200 meters, this superbly functional watch includes a date calendar, LumiBrite markers and hands for enhanced legibility, dual-curved anti-reflective sapphire crystal, screwdown crown and caseback, black uni-directional rotating elapsed timing bezel with LumiBrite indicators, and a black silicone strap, as well as an additional blue Seichu fabric diver's strap. Packaged in a Limited Edition collectors' box. 200m Water Resistant.

FEATURES

Seiko's, and Japan's, first diver's watch was born in 1965. With water resistance to 150m and an automatic movement, it proved its high quality and reliability when worn by members of the 8th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition in 1966. Thanks to the positive reaction of the members of the expedition on their return, Seiko's diver's watches were chosen by the same research team between the years 1966 and 1969, during which time the landmark Seiko diver's watch with 300m water resistance and a 10-beat automatic movement was created, in 1968.

Today, Seiko introduces into the Prospex collection a new interpretation of the 1968 diver's watch. The watch will join the Save the Ocean series in support of several different marine conservation initiatives.

1968 Original model

1968 Diver's Modern Re-interpretation Save the Ocean Limited Edition, 2021

A 1968 Seiko classic is re-born and returns to the Antarctic. The watch will be worn by members of the 63rd Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition's mission to Antarctica.

DIAL DESIGN

The patterned dial captures the feeling of the Antarctic landscape while the subtle gradation of the blue from light to dark echoes the hauntingly beautiful colors of the polar ice. The bezel's numerals and markings capture exactly the frozen scenery of blue-ice.

The dial is designed with the wish that the beautiful Antarctic landscape, that is suffering from the negative impact of global warming, lasts forever.

CASE & BEZEL

While the design reflects its heritage, every aspect of this new creation exemplifies the high levels of diver's watch technology for which the Prospex collection is renowned. The case, bezel and crown are all made of Seiko's Ever-Brilliant Steel, a grade of stainless steel which is more corrosion resistant than that which is commonly used in watches today.* 

To further ensure the watch's durability, the crown is not screwed directly into the case but locked into a separate component that is built into the case and so can be more easily replaced.

*This material is used extensively in the surfaces of marine structures and vessels because of its extreme corrosion resistance in sea water. It has a PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) value 1.7 times higher than that of the grade of steel used in most high-end watches. PREN is a widely accepted standard used to measure corrosion resistance.

FABRIC STRAP

The watch is also offered with a fabric strap which incorporates a traditional braiding technique from Japan called Seichu. Of course, this Seichu strap's strength and resistance to the degradation caused by exposure to sunlight meet the most demanding standards of Seiko Prospex diver's watches.

CASE BACK

The words "Limited Edition" and the individual serial number are inscribed on the screw case back.

* In an actual product, the case back direction might be different from the photograph.

MOVEMENT

The watch is powered by Caliber 8L35 which was developed especially for diver's watches and is hand-assembled by the craftsmen and at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio in northern Japan. The movement's rigidity and accuracy ensure the highest possible levels of performance in the most demanding environments, both on land and under water.