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 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 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.
Available instore and online in limited quantities at Gem Bijou.
