Seiko Brings The Marinemaster Back to Basics, With the SLA077 and SLA079

The original Seiko Marinemaster – reference SBDX001 – was introduced in 2000 as a large, modern and very capable pro-oriented dive watch that represented Seiko’s best. After a pause in production, the Marinemaster returned in 2023 as a smaller, more mainstream model with a bit more polish and less water resistance, which somehow brought divided opinions. For 2024, the Seiko Marinemaster is back in yet another form, which goes back to its roots with a larger case, higher water-resistance rating and tool-watch vibe, much like the original SBDX001 but also with characteristics of the earlier 1968 diver. Meet the new Seiko Prospex Marinemaster Diver 300m reference SLA077 and SLA079.

The stainless steel case of the new Marinemaster is 42.6mm in diameter, which is larger than the 2023 model at 39.5mm, but a bit smaller than the 2000 SBDX001 at 44mm. Thickness is fairly decent, at 13.4mm, and the 49.3mm lug-to-lug is compact enough considering the overall robustness. A solid middle ground for serious divers and daily wear. The black, steel unidirectional rotating bezel has a detailed 60-minute scale and LumiBrite pearl at 12 o’clock, differing from the 2023 models that offered blue and silver inserts as well. The screw-down crown is in the familiar 4 o’clock position for the series and water resistance is rated at 300 metres. A double-domed sapphire crystal with an interior anti-reflective coating protects the dial. The case is fitted with a brushed/polished three-link steel bracelet – both the bracelet and case have a hardened coating. 

There are two dial colours available – matte textured black (SLA079) or white (SLA077) – with large applied indices filled with LumiBrite. The hour and minute hands have LumiBrite inserts, as does the lollipop-style seconds hand. A dial-matching, angled date window sits between 4 and 5 o’clock, differing from the round window from 2023. A colour-matching yet non-textured minute/seconds track spans the outermost perimeter.

Powering the watch is Seiko’s in-house 8L35 automatic with 26 jewels, a beat rate of 28,800vph (4Hz) and a power reserve of 50 hours. Functions include central hours, minutes, hacking seconds and date, and accuracy is rated at +15/-10 seconds per day. 

The new Seiko Prospex Marinemaster 1968 Heritage Diver references SLA077 and SLA079 are both priced at EUR 3,000, which is a bit less than the 2023 models. We’ll soon come back on this topic with a hands-on article.

For more information, please visit Seiko’s website.