Cazalea introduces the Seiko Prospex Diver SPB333, a limited edition timepiece celebrating 110 years of Seiko watchmaking. This article explores the watch's design inspiration from polar landscapes and its connection to Seiko's heritage of durable diver's watches. The discussion highlights the watch's unique dial texture and its position within the broader Seiko and Grand Seiko offerings.
A new Prospex diver’s watch inspired by the polar landscape celebrates the 110th anniversary of Seiko watchmaking.
The history of Seiko began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori opened a shop in Ginza to repair and sell timepieces. In 1913, his company produced Japan’s first wristwatch, and many innovations that have advanced the art of watchmaking followed, including the first quartz wristwatch in 1969 and the groundbreaking technology that is Spring Drive in 1999.
In 2023, Seiko will celebrate the 110th anniversary of its first wristwatch with the release of a series of commemorative timepieces including a new Prospex diver’s watch which, like all the timepieces in the series, draws its inspiration from Seiko’s rich technological and design heritage.
The dial’s silvery-white color combined with its delicate striated texture creates a unique depth.
The new creation’s intricately textured dial captures the power of the polar glaciers that shape the landscapes and seascapes of the Arctic and Antarctic, where Seiko’s reputation for reliable and durable watches was forged in the 1960s and ‘70s when adventurers and researchers wore them on expeditions to the North and South Poles.
The watch’s case is based on the Seiko 6105-8000 diver’s watch from 1968, whose characteristically curved silhouette and crown positioned at the four o’clock position inspired the designs of many iconic diver’s watches that followed.
The watch is presented on a five-row steel bracelet with a secure clasp and extender and is also offered with an additional strap whose polyester material is made entirely of recycled plastic bottles.
The alternate strap features a traditional Japanese braiding technique called Seichu. Its strength and resistance to degradation caused by exposure to sunlight meet the demanding standards of Seiko’s diver’s watches and are also perfect for use under water. Thanks to its unique braiding pattern, the strap has flexibility and air permeability that ensure comfort on the wrist.
The additional strap's color captures the beauty of glacial ice.
The tried-and-trusted Caliber 6R35, a 21,600 vph automatic movement, delivers a power reserve of 70 hours. The stainless steel case and bracelet have a super-hard coating, and an anti-reflective coating on the inner surface of the sapphire crystal ensures high legibility from every angle. All twelve indexes and hands are generously coated with Lumibrite to maximize legibility in the dark.
The new creation will be available at Seiko Boutiques and select retail stores worldwide from January 2023 as a limited edition of 5,000.
The watch joins the Save the Ocean series, which expresses the Seiko Prospex mission to preserve the world’s oceans for future generations. Seiko Prospex delivers financial and other support to chosen marine charities.
To learn more about the various ocean-focused projects supported by Seiko Prospex, click here:
Seiko Watchmaking 110th Anniversary Prospex Save the Ocean Limited Edition: SPB333
Movement: Caliber 6R35
Driving system: Automatic
Frequency: 21,600 vibrations per hour (6 beats per second)
Power reserve: 70 hours
Number of jewels: 24
Specifications
Stainless steel case and bracelet with super-hard coating
Curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Screw-down crown, screw case back
Lumibrite on hands and indexes
Water resistance: 200m diver’s
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 41.0mm, Thickness: 12.3mm
Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button
release, secure lock, and extender
Additional polyester strap included
Approximate retail price in Europe: €1,350
Limited Edition of 5,000
