Jewellery & Watch News
Yes, you read the title correctly. Japanese watchmaker Seiko, in all their 142 year history has never equipped their best-selling Prospex diver’s watch with a mechanical GMT movement. That is until today, with the launch of a new line of Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation GMT watches. There are three designs to choose from in total, a permanent green-dialled model under reference SPB381J1, another stay-put black-dialled GMT watch under reference SPB383J1 and a special ice-blue, Save the Ocean Limited Edition located under reference SPB385J1.
As their name suggests, the new Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation GMT is based upon Seiko’s famous dive watch from 1968. Also known as reference 6159-7001, this design is known as Seiko's first professional-grade diver and with its high-frequency 36,000vph movement and 300 metre water resistant case, it remains a highly sought after watch from Seiko’s history. Over the last few years, we’ve watched as Seiko has unveiled several reissues of this design, electing the same angular and robust case with different coloured dials and complications at the centre. The new Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation GMT watches are no different, choosing the same solid shoulders, 4 o’clock crown, wide bezel and angular sides.
All three Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation GMT watches are engineered from super-hard coated stainless steel and measure to 42mm in diameter with a 12.9mm height. Despite their new GMT functionality, they still maintain their original purpose as a diver’s watch with a 60 minute scale on black or green ceramic insert bezel. The bezel is unidirectional and includes a luminous pip at 12 o’clock. The cases also present a screw in 4 o’clock crown and screwed down case back for a 200 metre water resistance and domed sapphire crystal glass on top, ensuring easy legibility with anti-reflective coating.
The dials of the new Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation GMT watches are as equally close in looks to the original 1968 model. You can spot the same large applied markers, sword-shaped hands for the hours and minutes filled with Lumibrite and a lollipop-styled seconds hand. New to the display is the central GMT hand and 24 hour scale on the inner flange. Reference SPB381J1 adorns its new GMT hand in yellow on a deep green backdrop as does reference SPB383J1 but on a smooth black display. Lastly, the Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean GMT watch features a unique textured, ice-blue dial inspired by polar glaciers and is set with a dark blue GMT hand.
Powering the Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation GMT watches is the automatic winding calibre 6R54, an in-house movement from Seiko’s 6R series. It promises a weekend-proof 72 hour power reserve, a frequency of 21,600vph and a total of 24 jewels. Alongside the hours, minutes, seconds and GMT function, the movement provides a date window between the 4 and 5 o’clock marker. Finally, the Seiko Prospex GMT watches are completed by a newly-designed stainless steel bracelet with super-hard coating and a folding buckle. The Save the Ocean edition is delivered with this same metal bracelet and an additional strap made of recycled plastic bottles using a traditional Japanese braiding technique called Seichu.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Modern Interpretation GMT watches and shop the full collection for yourself, head over to the W Hamond website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01947 603330 or send us a message at info@whamond.com
Specifications:
- Case Size: 42mm x 12.9mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel with super-hard coating
- Bezel: Unidirectional with black or green ceramic insert, 60 minute scale
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Screwed down
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: Calibre 6R54 automatic winding, in-house
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, independent GMT, date
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- Jewels: 24
- Frequency: 21,600bph
- Dial: Green (SPB381J1), Black (SPB383J1), Ice Blue (SPB385J1) with Lumibrite hands and indexes
- Strap: Three-link stainless steel bracelet, additional nylon strap included for the Save the Ocean model
- Limited: Save the Ocean (SPB385J1) only at 4,000 pieces
- RRP: £1,400 (SPB381J1 & SPB383J1), £1,600 (SPB385J1)
