Seiko exhibits a relentless push to deliver out new watches repeatedly, and it began off 2022 with a string of novelties already. We’ve seen the return of King Seiko as a everlasting assortment, a vibrant blue dial for the Speedtimer Chronograph and current fashions being tailored into new colourways. Displaying no indicators of slowing down, Seiko now releases a brand new set of vintage-inspired dive watches with the Seiko Prospex Black Collection Restricted Version SPB253J1, SPB255J1 and SPB257J1.
To get one factor out of the way in which, this sequence of watches additionally features a fourth mannequin however we’ll deal with that in a stand-alone article later right this moment. The quartet of watches observe the identical rules, however we felt it was becoming to separate issues up for now. This additionally isn’t the primary time Seiko releases a set labelled the Black Collection, because it has carried out so previously with the Prospex Samurai SRPH11K1 and Monster SRPH13K1, and with the Prospex SLA035J1 and SPB125J1.
The Prospex sequence of watches is residence to many recognizable and infrequently iconic designs, and Seiko embraces its historic lineage an increasing number of. The three watches at hand right here, the SPB253J1, SPB255J1 and SPB257J1 are derived from varied traditional Seiko dive watches from the Nineteen Sixties and Nineteen Seventies.
Seiko Prospex Black Collection L.E. SPB253J1
First up is the SPB253J1, a play on current Prospex 1965 Fashionable Re-interpretation fashions, which in flip are modelled after the 62MAS, Seiko’s first-ever dive watch. The 62MAS is clearly an important reference within the model’s lengthy and storied historical past and served as inspiration for an entire vary of recent remakes lately, like the cool SPB239J1 introduced final 12 months.
The Seiko Prospex Black Collection L.E. SPB253J1 is available in a completely blacked-out stainless-steel case measuring 40.5mm in diameter, and 13.2mm in top. The color pallet mixes in beige, gray and orange, much like the earlier Black Collection we’ve seen. All of it stays very legible because of massive indices and palms, with a very good quantity of LumiBrite. Energy comes from Seiko’s Calibre 6R35 computerized, offering a wholesome 70h energy reserve. It’s worn on a brown textile strap and comes with a second one in black rubber. It’s restricted to five,500 items and retails for EUR 1,250.
Fast Information – 40.5mm x 13.2mm – stainless-steel case with black coating, brushed and polished – unidirectional rotatable bezel with two-tone gray and orange 60min scale – screw-down crown at 3 o’clock – sapphire crystal – 200m water-resistance – black dial with beige LumiBrite markers – black palms with beige and orange LumiBrite inserts – Seiko Calibre 6R35 computerized – 24 jewels – 21,600vph – 70h energy reserve – brown textile strap with rubber strap various – restricted to five,500 items – EUR 1,250
Seiko Prospex Black Collection L.E. SPB255J1
Second in line is the Seiko Prospex Black Collection L.E. SPB255J1, taking inspiration from the 1968 Seiko ref 6159-7001. One other vital piece in Seiko’s dive watch historical past, this strikes the crown to 4 o’clock, has a bigger diameter in comparison with the 62MAS and just about laid the inspiration for the model’s design ethos for dive watches.
The case is once more carried out in black coated stainless-steel however measures 42mm throughout and 12.5mm in top. We once more see a black dial with massive, utilized roundels for the hours and a set of black palms. Distinction comes from the usage of completely different colors for the diving scale on the bezel and the palms as an example. It makes use of the identical computerized motion as the opposite two, so no adjustments there. The 6R35 calibre makes use of 24 jewels and runs at 21,600vph. We once more see the brown textile strap with black {hardware}, and the rubber strap as a substitute. The SPB255J1 can be restricted to five,500 items and priced at EUR 1,250.
Fast Information – 42mm x 12.5mm – stainless-steel case with black coating, brushed and polished – unidirectional rotatable bezel with two-tone gray and orange 60min scale – screw-down crown at 4 o’clock – sapphire crystal – 200m water-resistance – black dial with beige LumiBrite markers – black palms with beige and orange LumiBrite inserts – Seiko Calibre 6R35 computerized – 24 jewels – 21,600vph – 70h energy reserve – brown textile strap with rubber strap various – restricted to five,500 items – EUR 1,250
Seiko Prospex Black Collection L.E. SPB257J1
The ultimate restricted version within the sequence, for now, that’s, is the Seiko Prospex Black Collection L.E. SPB257J1. This can be a direct descendent of the Seiko 6105-8110, which was made well-known by being worn within the legendary film Apocalypse Now, and by US troopers within the Vietnam struggle. It was a rugged, dependable alternative in fight, and has since served as inspiration for fairly a couple of new editions, nicknamed Captain Willard within the course of.
The stainless-steel case, coated in black in fact, measures 42.7mm by 13.2mm. This feels like a moderately massive watch however the built-in quick lugs maintain it very wearable. Not like the opposite two, the crown is protected by the prolonged caseband from 3 to five o’clock. When it comes to colors, motion and straps nothing adjustments between the three. So, once more the Seiko 6R35 computerized motion, a brown textile strap and a black rubber one. The SPB257J1 is once more restricted to five,500 items, but priced a bit larger at EUR 1,350.
Fast Information – 42.7mm x 13.2mm – stainless-steel case with black coating, brushed and polished – unidirectional rotatable bezel with two-tone gray and orange 60min scale – screw-down crown at 4 o’clock with crown guard – sapphire crystal – 200m water-resistance – black dial with beige LumiBrite markers – black palms with beige and orange LumiBrite inserts – Seiko calibre 6R35 computerized – 24 jewels – 21,600vph – 70h energy reserve – brown textile strap with black rubber strap various – restricted to five,500 items – EUR 1,350
For extra data, please go to SeikoWatches.com
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