Seiko began in 1881 when one Kintaro Hattori opened up a small shop in Ginza to repair and sell timepieces. A few decades later, he produced Japan's very first wristwatch, and then in 1969 the brand created perhaps one of the most infamous industry disruptions when it released the first quartz wristwatch. And then, in 1999, Seiko unveiled the groundbreaking technology that is the Spring Drive, a piece of horological technology that is still in use today.
And now, in 2023, Seiko celebrates the 110th anniversary of its first-ever wristwatch with the release of a handful of commemorative Seiko watches, including this new beauty, the Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Limited Edition SPB333. Available now at Grahams Jewellers.
A beautiful balance of contemporary technology and design heritage, the new Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Limited Edition SPB313J is a wonderful opening to a series of commemorative watches we'll be seeing throughout the year.
The Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Limited Edition draws inspiration from the 1968 diver's reference 6106-8000. It's robust but not overly imposing, and has a beautiful flow of soft edges, curves and lines that work to complement the aesthetic of the piece. The stainless steel cushion-shaped case measures 41mm across and a practical 12.30mm in thickness. The Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Limited Edition is a diver's piece, and thus has a very respectable 200m water resistance rating. The monochromatic colour palette of greys and whites are apparent throughout the case and extends to the unidirectional rotating bezel.
Next up is the dial, and the Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Limited Edition's is a real winner. It features an intricately textured pattern that captures the look of the polar glaciers that shape the landscapes and seascapes of our polar regions. Interesting fact, Seiko actually developed quite the reputation in the 1960s and 1970s when its pieces were worn by adventurers and researchers during expeditions in the North and South Poles. The dial has a silvery-white colour to it and, along with the striated surface, gives off the illusion of depth. This colourway works to compliment the cold look of the steel case and grey bezel really well.
Offsetting the grey and white look of the Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Limited Edition is some pops of colour, mainly on the sweeping second's hand which is coloured blue, as well as with the luminescent material on the hour and minute hands, as well on the hour markers. In keeping with the polar theme of the watch, the discreet date window that sits between 3 and 4 o'clock has a white background, in line with the off-centre crown.
The Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Limited Edition is set on a stainless steel bracelet with a five-row design and secured on compact clasps. It also comes with extenders, ideal when strapping the Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Limited Edition around a diver's wetsuit. The Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Limited Edition also comes on an additional strap whose polyester material was made from recycled plastic bottles in a traditional braiding technique from Japan called Seichu.
Powering this Seiko Prospex watch is the calibre 6R35. This is an automatic movement with a power reserve of about 70 hours. It features central hour, minute and second hands as well as a date indicator. It has a rated accuracy of -15/+25 seconds a day which is quite respectable considering the overall cost of the piece.
The Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Limited Edition is available in a limited run of 5,000 pieces and is priced at $1,995.
Seiko SPB333J Watchmaking 110th Anniversary Mens Watch With Extra Polyester Band
$1,995.00
Seiko SPB333J Watchmaking 110th Anniversary Mens Watch With Extra Polyester Band… read more
