Affordable to luxurious tool watches
It goes without saying that Seiko Prospex watches are undoubtedly, some of the best tool watches that money can buy, full stop. Even if you’re not looking to actually use them to the extent that they were made for, they’re still fantastic timepieces for the price you’re paying. Whether or not you’re looking to add your first Prospex into your collection or you’re already a seasoned collector looking to add another one into the family, there’s a slew of options available for you in the range. Today, we’ll be taking a look at some of the newest releases from the Seiko Prospex line-up and find out which one deserves a spot in your collection.
SEIKO PROSPEX DIVER SRPF77K1 SAVE THE OCEAN MEN'S WATCH
The first watch in our entry, is one that I’m quite happy to see back again; The SRPF77K1 Save the Ocean special edition of the King Turtle. And it’s a really hefty piece, coming in at 45mm in diameter, though thanks to its unique proportions and case design, it’s a very wearable piece.
With a 200m water resistance, striking blue dial and highly legible hands, indices and bezel, the Seiko Prospex King Turtle SRPF77K1 is no slouch as a diver’s watch. Though being a part of the Prospex line pretty much guarantees the watch’s pedigree and performance as a proper professional tool watch. But it’s really the look of this watch that truly sells it with the ever-recognizable Turtle case, making it that much more wearable despite its relatively large 45mm diameter thanks to a shorter lug-to-lug length.
The SRPF77K1 also adds a gorgeous and subtle wave-patterned gradient blue dial where you don’t have to look too closely to spot the Manta ray prints chilling along the lower half of the dial. Seiko’s Save the Ocean special editions have all been gorgeous, but this one is certainly my favourite one out of the lot. With the subtle wave patterning/texturing on the dial, the unique blue gradient colouring and of course, those 3 manta rays as well. On paper, it does sound like there’s quite a lot going on with this watch, but in person, it’s a different story.
The laser-etched wave patterning on the sunburst blue dial is certainly the star of the show and the little Manta Ray Easter blend nicely with the dial and are perfect in representing the beauty of the ocean. It’s the little details like this that really completes the overall look and make it such a handsome stand-out piece, and one that certainly has a place in every collection.
SEIKO PROSPEX DIVER AUTOMATIC SRPE87K1 MEN'S WATCH
Next up is possibly my favourite affordable Tuna, the SRPE87K1 ‘Baby Yellowfin Tuna’. Despite the rather diminutive sounding name. It’s still a rather hefty watch coming in at 48mm in diameter, it is easily the largest watch here despite being a ‘baby’.
The Baby Tuna is the watch that will certainly bring the smile back for the purists who believe that the Tuna should only case an analogue movement. The watch is powered by Seiko’s workhorse 4r36 in-house caliber featuring a useful day-date display, 41 hours of power reserve and a modest 21,600vph (3Hz) frequency.
It comes in a very stealthy and sleek all-black colourway, with a black outer shroud, black PVD steel case, black bezel and black dial, of course, to top it all off. Though thanks to the nicely contrasting white coloured markers, that are also generously applied with lume, the watch is still highly legible and is, of course, still a viable companion to take along to a dive. If you’re a fan of the iconic Tuna can design and are looking for something a wee bit smaller (relatively speaking) then the SRPE87K1 Baby Tuna is certainly for you.
SEIKO PROSPEX DIVER PADI SPECIAL EDITION ‘SUMO’ AUTOMATIC SPB181J1 MEN’S WATCH
Whether you’re a sailor, Naval staff, fisherman, swimmer, SCUBA diver or just a fan of dive watches, you’ve certainly heard of the Seiko Sumo, which is undoubtedly one of Seiko’s most acclaimed dive watches. Seiko’s reputation for dive watches is indisputable, with one of the largest collections of diving watches, with prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand.
The Sumo is one of the many much-loved and respected dive watches produced by Seiko. Simple, reliable and not exactly elegant but still a rather handsome brute as is often the case with Seiko’s divers and it punches well above its weight for its price point.
Sporting an exceptionally finished case that is polished to a mirror finish on the sides and brushed neatly on the surface as well as a dial that is finished in simple matte black, the Sumo is an excellent mid-range diver and a properly good looking one at this price point. Though it really is the bezel that’s the star of the show here, finished in an ever recognizable and desirable Pepsi colourway. It also features a robust and reliable 6R35 automatic caliber providing a whopping 70 hours of power reserve (that is beaten only by Tissot’s Powermatic 80 at this price point).
Thanks to its striking red and blue bezel, highly recognizable design and properly reliable performance, the Seiko Sumo SPB181J1 is a must have timepiece for both the enthusiast and the professional.
SEIKO PROSPEX SPB210J1 ALPINIST DATE DISPLAY MEN'S WATCH
No list of the best Seiko Prospex watches that money can buy these days can’t be complete without mentioning the Seiko green Alpinist. In fact, I’d like to think that most of you would probably cry foul if it didn’t appear on the list, so here it is. The original Seiko Alpinist is a watch that ticks a lot of boxes for a vast majority of the watch-wearing public. It’s readily available, reliable, robust, attractive and affordable. It’s the perfect fit and one could call it the Goldilocks of watches.
When Seiko announced a reissue of the Alpinist with 3 new models that sat nicely in the Prospex Line, what Seiko has done essentially, is taken everything that made the Alpinist great and made them better. The old Alpinist was powered by the Caliber 6R15, the new one is powered by the 6R35, giving it a whopping 70 hours of power reserve.
The sapphire crystal has been given a cyclops lens (controversial to some, I know) and an anti-reflective coating on the inner surface. On top of that, there is an exhibition case-back for you to enjoy the 6R35 caliber in greater detail. However, not much has changed visually on the new Alpinist, aside from the Seiko Prospex “X” branding on the dial. It’s a small touch that shows everyone that this watch is more than just a pretty face, it means serious business.
The Alpinist was a watch that struck a chord with the watch community, even among the presence of the more iconic divers like the Sumo, Turtle, Monster and Tuna. And for good reason, the watch is a serious tool watch, with 200m of water resistance, bright luminescent on the hands and 12 markers, as well as an internal rotating bezel which functions as a compass. Yet with all of this, the watch, thanks to its 39mm golden case, leans it more to the dressy side than sporty. But make no mistake, it’s still a proper blue-blooded Prospex, which means It could be worn hiking or mountaineering, and not just to a gala dinner with a suit, although that’s probably where it’ll be the most comfortable in. I must say that this golden Alpinist could probably be the first proper dress watch from the Prospex line and that alone, makes it incredibly desirable for most collectors.
SEIKO PROSPEX DIVER SLA037J1 NEW LIMITED EDITION MEN'S WATCH
Inspired by the classic 62-MAS, Seiko’s original dive watch that made its debut in 1965, the Seiko SLA0371 is, in my opinion, one of the nicest looking divers in Seiko’s catalogue, in fact, it’s my personal favourite design among all of Seiko’s divers.
There’s plenty to like about this watch right off the bat. From the uniquely subtle blueish grey sunburst dial to the immaculate finishing around the entire case (finished in Seiko/Grand Seiko’s stunning Zaratsu mirror polish no less) and of course, the in-house movement that is powering it.
Though it is really the look of the watch that sells it for me, harking back to the 62-MAS, it’s also the best and most accessible representation of that classic piece so far.
Powering the SLA037J1 is Seiko’s proprietary in-house Hi-beat 8L55 automatic caliber. It operates at 5Hz (36,000 VPH) offers a hefty 55 hours of power reserve and can be hand-wound with hacking seconds as well. The watch comes in a very comfortable and vintage-esque 39mm in diameter which fits nicely on most wrists, has a water resistance of 200m and is protected by an ultra-domed sapphire crystal as well for added sweetness and vintage aesthetics.
Of course, no Seiko diver is complete without a generous application of the brand’s proprietary Lumibrite luminescent material. And this results in an incredibly legible and visually enjoyable viewing experience when the lights go out.
The SLA037J1 exemplifies everything there is to love about Japanese watchmaking, which is often stereotyped as a very spartan and utilitarian no thrills and frills affair. With a beautifully finished dial, stunning high polished finishing, attention to detail and the performance of a proper professional diver, the SLA037J1 is a properly excellent timepiece to own especially if you’re in the market for an iconic luxury diver.
Iconic & Dependable tool watches
All in all, our new arrivals from Seiko’s Prospex line are properly stunning timepieces. From restocked special/limited editions (SLA037J1 and SRPB77K1), to new iconic colourways for their already distinct models (Pepsi Sumo and Golden Alpinist), to an iconic fan favourite (Yellowfin baby Tuna) restock. Find your perfect Seiko Prospex with us today!
