Introducing the Seiko Diver’s 55th Anniversary Trilogy

It almost goes without saying that Seiko has an incredibly rich back catalog. The brand has produced some of the most iconic watches ever made, and that is especially true when it comes to their many divers. That history began in earnest in 1965 when Seiko introduced what is now known to be their first dive watch. It featured an automatic movement and water resistance of 150m, and it was famously used by members of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition from 1966 to 1969. Dubbed the 62MAS, this watch was a foundational model, and one that would pave the way for future Seiko divers. Today, in celebration of the 55th anniversary of Seiko’s first dive watch, the Japanese brand has unveiled recreations of three historical models, each honoring a specific era of Seiko’s dive watch history. We’ll look at all three below.

1965 Diver’s Re-creation

• Case Material: Ever-Brilliant Steel case
• Dial: Blue-gray and LumiBrite on hands and markers
• Dimensions: 39.9mm wide and 14.7mm thick
• Crystal: Box sapphire with inner AR
• Water Resistance: 200m
• Crown: Screw down
• Movement: 8L55 Hi-Beat
• Strap/bracelet: Silicone strap
• Price: $6,300
• Expected Release: Limited Edition of 1,100 and available June 2020

1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation

• Case Material: Ever-Brilliant Steel case
• Dial: Blue-gray and LumiBrite on hands and markers
• Dimensions: 44.8mm wide and 15.7mm thick
• Crystal: Dual-curved sapphire with inner AR
• Water Resistance: 300m
• Crown: Screw down
• Movement: 8L55 Hi-Beat
• Strap/bracelet: Silicone strap
• Price: $6,800
• Expected Release: Limited Edition of 1,100 and available July 2020

1975 Professional Diver’s Re-creation

• Case Material: Titanium inner case with super hard coating with Ever-Brilliant steel bezel
• Dial: Blue-gray and LumiBrite on hands and markers; iron dial with 40,000 A/m
• Dimensions: 52.4mm wide and 17.2mm thick
• Crystal: Sapphire crystal
• Water Resistance: 1,000m
• Crown: Screw down
• Movement: 8L55 Hi-Beat
• Strap/bracelet: Silicone strap
• Price: $4,500
• Expected Release: Limited Edition of 1,100 and available August 2020

Let us begin with the 1965 Diver’s Re-creation. This one is based on the aforementioned 62MAS, which Seiko has reissued in the past. Seiko takes a largely faithful approach here, but with a few flourishes that really make the watch more than just a blast-from-the-past reissue. Then there’s the 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation, a watch inspired by the legendary ref. 6159-7001, Seiko’s first Hi-Beat professional dive watch. Finally, there’s the 1975 Professional Diver’s Re-creation, which honors Seiko’s very first shrouded “Tuna” diver, the ref. 6159-7010. 

Now, these aren’t just one-for-one copies of those historical models. There are some really interesting differences and technical advancements here.  First, there’s the use of Seiko’s “Ever-Brilliant Steel” for the case. This is a new steel alloy being introduced in the three watches we’re looking at here. Seiko explains that this grade of steel is “more corrosion resistant than [the steel] used in most of the highest-end watches today,” with a PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) value that is 1.7 times higher than that of the grade of steel used by most brands. The steel also looks a bit different than what you’re likely used to seeing, having a more white luster overall. Both the 1965 and 1968 editions feature cases using this steel, while the 1975 relegates this to the bezel, leaving the titanium case as is.

Then we have the dials.  While the originals featured black dials, these re-creations feature blue-gray dials that are meant to evoke the sea. Regardless of the inspiration, the result is incredibly eye catching, and, additionally, the gradation on the 1965 and 1968 editions is especially appealing. One cool thing worth noting about the dial on the 1975 recreation is that it is made from pure iron, so it gives the watch a boosted resistance against magnetism rated to 40,000 a/m. All three watches feature sapphire crystals with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface.

Both the 1965 and 1968 are powered by a Hi-Beat 8L55 movement, and the 1975 is powered by the 8L35. The inclusion of a Hi-Beat movement in the 1968 edition is almost expected — the original was powered by a Hi-Beat caliber as well. But the inclusion of one in the 1965 edition is a welcome surprise, and one that really elevates the watch. Both of these calibers are high-grade, high-performance engines, and they are produced in Seiko’s legendary Shizukuishi Watch Studio.

All three watches are limited editions of 1,100 units each. The 1965, 1968 and 1975 re-creations will be introduced in June, July and August of 2020. Seiko