Seiko has an annual tradition of revisiting the great classics from the past and creating re-editions that stay true to their roots that are also updated with the brand’s latest technology. The fact that these are chiefly limited editions increases desire among Seiko’s ever-growing community of fans and collectors.
For 2019 Seiko has plunged once again into its rich history, this time resurfacing with a cool timekeeper drawing inspiration from the aptly named “1970s diver’s watch.”
Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s Re-Creation Limited Edition on the wrist
The reason for the minimalist name might be that back in those days true diver’s watches that could actually be taken hundreds of meters below the surface were indeed rare birds (or turtles) – a fact that might be surprising considering today’s plethora of diver’s watches.
Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s Re-Creation Limited Edition
But it was true that, aside from industry giants like Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Blancpain, and a handful of specialists like Doxa and of course Seiko, few brands could claim to being makers of professional diver’s watches. Seiko introduced its first diver’s watch in 1968.
Back of the Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s Re-Creation Limited Edition
The brand’s 1970s diver’s watch blazed the trail for successive timepieces that collectors today affectionately call “the Turtle.” The bold, wide, cushion-shaped case with rounded edges, purely designed this way to protect the crown positioned at 4 o’clock and enabling water resistance of 150 meters, looked like the highly effective shell that Mother Nature gifted the turtle more than 150 million years ago.
The Seiko Prospex Diver’s Re-Creation of the 1970s diver’s watch pays tribute to the uniqueness of its original design, offering the bold outgoing charisma of the decade. The new watch is slightly larger, but it preserves all of the original design codes.
The locking crown of the Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s Re-Creation Limited Edition
The new Prospex features many of Seiko’s contemporary achievements, including a super-hard coating for the stainless steel case, now water-resistant to 200 meters, and the brand’s own Zaratsu polishing for the bezel. Executed by masters of the technique in Seiko’s Shizukuishi Watch Studio in northern Japan, the polishing technique offers the signature interplay of light and shadow that Seiko fans appreciate.
Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s Re-Creation Limited Edition
The turtle lives!
For more information, please visit www.seiko.com.
Quick Facts Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s Re-Creation Limited Edition (Ref. SLA033)
Case: 45 x 13 mm, stainless steel, water resistance to 200 meters
Movement: automatic Caliber 8L35, 4Hz/28,800 vph frequency, power reserve 50 hours, magnetic resistance to 4,800 A/m
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; date
Limitation: 2,500 pieces
Price: €4,350
Availability: as of July 2019
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It’s a very cool watch, but for the money there are so many better alternatives in my opinion, even from Seiko.
I disagree. Personally I think this is one of Seiko’s great reproductions. In some way this updated version is even better than the original. Don’t get me wrong, the original is nearly perfect. I’d suggest it’s worth the money.
i agree , very very overpriced.much better alternatives out there for sure. seiko, wake up…
Absurd price! I bought one in the mid-70s for a stratospheric AUD$200. Fabulous dive watch during my scuba-ing years. Handsome every day piece – wore it everywhere. This looks pretty much identical and in today’s money should retail around $1000 with a street value near half that (via sales, eofy specials, etc). Certainly NOT in the order of AUD$6000!!! Ridiculous.
And yet a new Rolex GMT is getting $3,000 to $7,000 over retail. Now that makes sense- ¿?
Je sius de la tunisie. J ai acheté une kenetic depuis 1999. Au debut j etais tres satisfaite mais depuis trois années elle ne fonctionne plus
.ici e. Tunisie c est malheureux il nya pas qui pouvait la réparer ni une agence seiko. Que pourrais je faire?
Why would I spend $4882 USD on this watch when I could acquire a SBBN031 Marinemaster Quatz Professional (aka “Tuna Can”) with a black rubber dive strap for $910 USD or the SBBN031 Tuna Can with steel bracelet for $1050 USD via Amazon??
The Turtle is a nice watch, but it’s not THAT nice. I’m thinking this is more of a colector’s watch than a daily wear watch – not that there’s anything wrong with collecting.
If your comparing the quartz Tuna to this, then something is way off. That’s like comparing a Range Rover to a Lime scooter.