Seiko Introduces the All New Prospex Save the Ocean Special Editions, Inspired by Glacial Ice

Seiko has unveiled their first big drop of the year, and it includes a trio of divers that play with their recent glacier and ice themed dials in new ways. In what has become something of a typical move from the brand, what we have here are three watches in each of three signature dive watch styles that most collectors and enthusiasts are likely to be intimately familiar with by now. The new Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Special Editions are definitely more iterative than innovative, but that’s not a bad thing when the core products are so well liked by so many. 

Like other watches in the Prospex collection that are modeled on vintage watches from the brand’s past, Seiko is attempting to draw a connection between the new watches and exploration of the past, the 60s and 70s more specifically. The original versions of these watches were all on the wrist of researchers and explorers who took on polar expeditions decades ago, so there is real connective tissue there. For this set of watches, the dials have all been rendered in a texture that is meant to evoke the ice formations that would have been seen by these explorers during their time in the field, and the colors have been chosen specifically to match the different shades of glacial ice.

First up is the SPB297, which is the latest in what has become an expansive collection of 62MAS “Modern Re-Interpretations” (that’s Seiko’s language, common to all three watches, signaling a watch inspired by a historic piece, but not a one for one copy). The next-gen 62MAS can be thought of as Seiko’s standard, everyday diver. It’s a core watch in the collection, based on the original dive watch that inspired the brand’s entire sports watch design language to this very day. The dial here is a dark blue with a deep vertical texture. The case is the familiar steel 62MAS inspired design, measuring 40.5mm in diameter and 13.2mm thick. 

Next is the SPB299, a watch modeled after Seiko’s landmark 1968 diver’s watch. We haven’t done an official count, but the reference 6159 that this watch is based on might be the starting point for more contemporary Seikos than any other. The 6159 has been adapted for modern tastes across a host of price points and complications, and is surely what many imagine when they hear the words “Seiko dive watch.” This case measures 42mm in diameter and has a notable barrel-like appearance with lugs that are faceted and surprisingly complex. While the original 6159 was a technical showcase for the brand with a depth rating of 300 meters and a high frequency movement, the newer versions (including this one) are more consumer than professional grade. Still, if this is your case shape of choice, the light blue here is very attractive, and more than a little on trend at the moment. 

Finally, we come to the SPB301. Commonly known as the “Willard,” this watch has a funkier case design, dominated by an asymmetry created by the large crown guard on the 3:00 side. This is technically the largest of the three watches in this set at 42.7mm in diameter, but because of the extremely short lugs, it wears considerably smaller on most wrists, while still having a pleasant chunkiness. This dial is a crisp white, and contrasts nicely with the light blue dive bezel. 

All three watches are mounted on matching stainless steel bracelets with dive extensions, and they’re all powered by the same 6R35 movement with 70 hours of power reserve. The SPB297 and SPB299 both have a retail price of $1,250, and the SPB301 sells for $1,350. All are expected to be available in July. Seiko