Seiko Debuts The Prospex 1965 Trendy Re-Interpretation Save The Ocean SLA065 Watch

If there’s one factor Seiko loves greater than restricted editions, it’s dipping into its huge archives and re-imagining one of many traditional designs from the model’s wealthy historical past. To kick off 2023, Seiko has as soon as once more seemed to its first-ever diver (that additionally occurs to be Japan’s very first purpose-built dive watch), which most collectors will know merely because the 62MAS. That is hardly the primary time that Seiko has revived its inaugural diver, however slightly than merely being a direct recreation of the unique that’s constructed with present-day supplies, the brand new Seiko Prospex 1965 Trendy Re-Interpretation SLA065 offers the traditional design a recent twist and positions it as a part of the model’s well-liked Save the Ocean collection, whereas additionally expressing this modernized execution on the very highest degree that Seiko has to supply (earlier than you begin moving into Grand Seiko territory).

At a fast look, the case of the brand new Seiko Prospex 1965 Trendy Re-Interpretation Save the Ocean Restricted Version SLA065 appears just about similar to the 62MAS, and with out going by the specs, you’d be forgiven for considering that it’s basically the identical watch because the SLA017 from 2017, simply in a deep blue colorway and fitted with a distinct dial. Nonetheless, whereas the general design has remained largely unchanged (which is anticipated on condition that each fashions are closely impressed by the model’s authentic diver from 1965), the case of the brand new Seiko SLA065 is barely bigger than the one featured within the SLA017 and options up to date proportions to accompany its elevated measurement. Crafted from stainless-steel with Seiko’s tremendous onerous floor coating, the case of the brand new Prospex SLA065 measures 41.3mm in diameter by 13.1mm thick, with 20mm lugs and an total profile of 47.6mm. In comparison with the SLA017, the brand new Seiko Prospex 1965 Trendy Re-Interpretation Save the Ocean SLA065 is each wider and in addition a bit thinner, which implies that it’s going to doubtless supply a flatter and extra refined profile on the wrist.

Sitting on high of the case of the Seiko SLA065 is a double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective remedy on the interior floor, whereas the reverse facet of the watch is protected by a stable screw-down stainless-steel caseback. Surrounding the crystal is a unidirectional rotating bezel fitted with a metallic blue 60-minute elapsed time insert, and the skinny space surrounding the insert (together with the bevel separating the tops of the lugs and the facet of the case) is Zaratsu polished for a refined sprint of refinement. On condition that the core design of the Seiko Prospex SLA065 is closely primarily based on the unique 62MAS, a easy screw-down winding crown on the 3 o’clock location gives entry to the motion, and it really works along with the stable caseback to assist create 200 meters of water resistance. Fitted to the 20mm lugs of the SLA065 is a textured darkish blue silicone strap, whereas the boxy angular lugs themselves characteristic drilled holes to allow simple strap modifications.

Whereas previous Save the Ocean fashions have been devoted to numerous marine animals like manta rays and sharks, the brand new Seiko Prospex 1965 Trendy Re-Interpretation Save the Ocean SLA065 is created in assist of Greece’s Fournoi Underwater Survey and Excavation, which is an archeology undertaking that goals to discover an undersea historic website and defend its cultural heritage for future generations. As an aesthetic tribute to this marine inspiration, the SLA065 incorporates a metallic darkish blue dial, which is engraved with intersecting curved strains in a sample that’s impressed by the astrolabe — an historic navigational device that seafarers would use to find out the latitude of their location primarily based on the place of the celebs and the solar. That stated, past the colour and sample on the dial, the general structure of the dial itself is just about similar to different fashions impressed by the unique 62MAS, and it options massive rectangular hour markers, a trio of centrally mounted baton fingers, and date window at 3 o’clock. Moreover, simply as you’ll anticipate from one among Seiko’s ISO-certified Prospex dive watches, all three of the fingers, plus every one of many twelve hours markers on the Save the Ocean SLA065 are completed with green-glowing Lumibrite for straightforward entry to the time in darkish settings.

Seiko has produced quite a few completely different fashions which might be primarily based upon the design of the unique 62MAS diver, though the assorted watches that observe this core aesthetic can occupy a slightly big selection of costs. Just like the SLA017 from 2017, the brand new Seiko Prospex 1965 Trendy Re-Interpretation Save the Ocean SLA065 is positioned as a premium mannequin throughout the model’s catalog, and a giant a part of why is as a result of motion used to energy the watch. Contained in the SLA065 is the Caliber 8L35 automated motion, which runs at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with an influence reserve of roughly 50 hours. Together with a better working frequency and tighter timekeeping tolerances than most Seiko actions, the Cal. 8L35 relies upon the design of the Grand Seiko Cal. 9S55, and it’s the model’s go-to mechanical possibility for its top-of-the-line dive watches. The value premium that Seiko expenses for fashions with the Caliber 8L35 is pretty important in comparison with comparable watches which have lesser actions, though it’s simple that the 8L35 represents a stable step up in comparison with the already fairly first rate calibers that Seiko makes use of to energy its entry-level watches.

Seiko’s Prospex collection spans a remarkably big selection of costs that begins out at just some hundred {dollars} and extends all the best way to values which might be greater than ten instances the purpose of entry into the gathering. Whereas the brand new Seiko Prospex 1965 Trendy Re-Interpretation Save the Ocean SLA065 is cheaper than the SLA017 from 2017, it’s nonetheless one of many costlier fashions from the present Prospex collection, and it’s accompanied by an official retail worth of $2,900 USD. Moreover, just like different ultra-premium Seiko Prospex fashions, the brand new SLA065 might be produced as a restricted version, with manufacturing capped at 1,300 examples worldwide. With that in thoughts, it’s price reiterating that the brand new SLA065 isn’t only a coloration variation of the earlier SLA017, neither is it only a fancy model of the SPBxxx collection that has an upgraded motion. As a substitute, the brand new Seiko Prospex SLA065 is a modernized model of the model’s authentic dive watch, and it gives a lot of the identical fan-favorite aesthetic in a extra refined and modern bundle, together with an added Save the Ocean design twist. For extra info on the Seiko Prospex 1965 Trendy Re-Interpretation Save the Ocean Restricted Version SLA065, please go to the model’s web site.