Seiko launches a watch with a long name: the Prospex 1968 Diver's Modern Re-interpretation Save the Ocean Limited Edition. A solid case of 'do you remember this one...'.
Seiko's, and also Japan's, first diving watch saw the light of day in 1965. With water resistance to 150 m and an automatic movement, it proved its high quality and reliability when worn by members of Japan's 8th Antarctic expedition in 1966. Thanks to the positive experiences of the expedition members, diving watches from this brand were also chosen for subsequent expeditions. So it was that in 1968 Seiko came up with a revolutionary diving watch, with a water resistance of as much as 300 m and an automatic movement inside.
Modern
Today, Seiko introduces within the Prospex collection a reinterpretation of this 1968 watch, but even better equipped to face the most extreme conditions on earth. Accordingly, this watch will be worn by members of the 63rd Japanese expedition during their mission to Antarctica.
Stainless
While the design clearly reflects its heritage, the case, bezel and crown are now all made of Seiko's Ever-Brilliant Steel, a type of stainless steel that is extra corrosion-resistant. This type of steel is widely used in the surfaces of maritime structures and ships because of its extreme resistance to seawater. It has a PREN value (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number, a widely accepted standard used to measure corrosion resistance) that is 1.7 times higher than that of the steel grade normally found in watches.
To further ensure the watch's durability, the crown is not screwed directly into the case, but is locked into a separate part that is built into the case and therefore easier to replace.
Clockwork
The watch is powered by calibre 8L35, which was specially developed for diving watches and is hand-assembled by the craftsmen of the Shizukuishi Watch Studio in northern Japan. The robustness and accuracy of the movement (Calibre 8L35, automatic. 28,800 vpu; 50-hour power reserve) ensure optimal performance in challenging environments, both on land and underwater.
The Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver's Modern Re-interpretation Save the Ocean Limited Edition comes in an edition of 1,300 pieces. Target price : €4600 Check: www.seiko.nl
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