Baselworld 2019: Seiko Prospex 1970s Re-Creation Limited Edition Diver SLA033

When the original 1970’s Seiko diver’s watch was first created, its designers had only one thought in mind; to build a diver’s watch that delivered the reliability, durability, precision, and legibility that serious adventurers required.

They had no eye to the future reputation of the watch they were building; their focus was on performance, with form following function in every aspect of their work. The case was given a wide, flowing design purely to protect the crown at the 4 o’clock position. Little did they know that a subsequent version of the watch with this same characteristic case design was destined to develop a worldwide following and earn the affectionate and unforgettable nickname of the “turtle.”

Seiko Prospex 1970s Re-Creation Limited Edition Diver SLA033

Today, this 45mm 1970 diver’s watch, the father of the “turtle”, is lovingly re-created in Prospex with a high level of functionality that pays tribute to the determination and skill of the original 1970 team.

The uniqueness of the design of the 1970 diver’s watch stemmed largely from the way that the crown, moved to the 4 o’clock position, was protected by the extension of the case around it. The design turned out to be as memorable as it was functional and this 150-meter water resistant diver’s watch rapidly found favor among those who needed a watch of exceptional strength.

It was worn by the Japanese adventurer, Naomi Uemura, when he did a solo dog-sled run from Greenland to Alaska, a journey of 12,000 kilometers that took eighteen months.

The new Prospex re-creation of the 1970 diver’s watch is slightly larger than the original but faithful in every other respect to its design. And it’s completely up-to-date in its technology.

The movement is caliber 8L35 with a power reserve of 50 hours. It was specially designed for use in diver’s watches. The case has a super-hard coating and a dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating and is 200-meter water resistant.

The upper surface of the bezel rim is Zaratsu polished to a perfect mirror finish. The watch comes on a high strength silicone strap and is assembled by hand in the Shizukuishi Watch Studio in northern Japan.

It’s offered as a limited edition of just 2,500 pieces and will be available from July in Seiko Boutiques and leading Seiko retail partners worldwide.

How much?

US$4,250

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