The Green Seiko Prospex Divers 140th Anniversary Limited Editions

Seiko, probably the best known Japanese watch manufacturer, is a brand with a rich history. Founded by young Kintaro Hattori in 1881 this year the brand is celebrating its 140th anniversary and, as you’d expect, these commemorations will include special editions. Following the re-introduction of the name “King Seiko” with the SJE083, today Seiko releases a series of sports Prospex models inspired by Japanese landscapes. Meet the Prospex Diver’s watches SPB207, SLA047, and SSC807.

All three 140th-Anniversary Limited Editions are respectable dive watches from the Prospex Sea collection. All three are also based on existing models, so there should be not much of a surprise here. What’s new though for these watches are the colours. According to Seiko, the new SPB207, SLA047 and SSC807 are inspired by the island of Iriomote in Okinawa Prefecture, a place known to attract divers from all over Japan and elsewhere. “Its abundant coral reefs teem with marine life but the island’s special charm lies in the primaeval and pristine mangrove forests that surround it,” says the brand. “With its reefs, jungle, mangrove forests, beaches, rivers, and waterfalls, Iriomote is an island of rich and varied beauty whose verdant nature is reflected in the deep green of the dials.” And now that we know where the inspiration comes from, let’s take a closer look at each of these Prospex Diver’s watches.

The Prospex Automatic Diver’s SLA047

The first of the three models in this collection, and also the most exclusive of the trilogy, is based on the new-generation “Marinemaster” or “MM300” (even though the SLA021 doesn’t have this name on the dial anymore). It is one of Seiko’s most advanced dive watches and packs all the brand’s savoir-faire. This robust watch, with a diameter of 44.3mm, features a sapphire crystal, a unidirectional ceramic bezel, a signature screw-down crown at 4 o’clock and is water-resistant to 300m. Suitable for saturation as well as air diving, it is made, assembled, and adjusted in Shizukuishi and powered by calibre 8L35, which was created especially for diver’s watches.

The design of this Prospex Diver’s SLA047 is inspired by the brand’s famous 1968 diver’s watch, the first equipped with a hi-beat movement. It has sharp lines and robust shoulders and here features a dark green dial with golden accents (seconds hand and depth rate). It is entirely made of stainless steel with a super-hard coating and its bracelet features a sliding mechanism for micro-adjustment. A silicone strap is also included. The SLA047 is limited to 3,000 pieces and will be priced at EUR 3,300.

Quick facts: 44.3mm x 15.4mm – stainless steel case with super-hard coating – sapphire crystal with AR coating – 300m water-resistant – 60-min ceramic bezel – green dial – calibre 8L35, automatic, 4Hz frequency, 26 jewels, 50h power reserve – stainless steel bracelet with super-hard coating, three-fold clasp with push-button release, secure lock and slide adjuster – silicone strap also included – SLA047 – limited to 3,000 pieces – EUR 3,300

The Prospex 1968 Automatic Diver’s SPB207

The second watch in this 140th-anniversary collection is based on the recently updated 1968 Automatic Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation models, the SPB185 and SPB187 we reviewed here. As such, it shares with them a newly designed case with reduced dimensions – 42mm in diameter for a height of 12.5mm – and a sharper design with a wide polished bevel running along the caseband. The crown is classically at 4 o’clock and screws down, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal protects the dial and water-resistance is rated at 200m. Inside the case is the calibre 6R35, the brand’s classic mid-range movement.

This SPB207 also benefits from the slightly redesigned dial and hands found on the new SPB185 and SPB187 but brings the new green colour distinctive of this 140th-anniversary collection. Case and bracelet are made of stainless steel with a super-hard coating, the latter also includes a diving extension. A silicone strap is also delivered with the watch. It will be released in a limited edition of 6,000 pieces, priced at EUR 1,400.

Quick facts: 42mm x 12.5mm – stainless steel case with super-hard coating – sapphire crystal with AR coating – 200m water-resistant – 60-min black bezel – green dial – calibre 6R35, automatic, 3Hz frequency, 24 jewels, 70h power reserve – stainless steel bracelet with super-hard coating, three-fold clasp with push-button release, secure lock and diving extension – silicone strap also included – SPB207 – limited to 6,000 pieces – EUR 1,400

The Prospex Solar Chronograph SSC807

Last but not least, this special green collection also includes a solar chronograph watch, whose design is based on the Sumo watch – note the twisted lugs and specific shape of the bezel’s insert. Measuring 44.5mm in diameter and 13.7mm in height, it combines diving credentials (200m water-resistance) with a chronograph function – up to 60 minutes with 1/5th of a second precision. As with the two other models above, this stainless steel watch features a green dial with gold-coloured accents. Inside is a solar-powered movement that comes with an accuracy of +/-15 seconds per month. Worn on a steel bracelet (with a silicone strap also included), it is limited to 4,000 pieces and will be priced at EUR 790.

Quick facts: 44.5mm x 13.7mm – stainless steel case – sapphire crystal – 200m water-resistant – 60-min black bezel – green dial – calibre V192, solar quartz chronograph – stainless steel bracelet, three-fold clasp with push-button release, secure lock and diving extension – silicone strap also included – SSC807 – limited to 4,000 pieces – EUR 790

For more details, visit seikowatches.com.