Seiko Celebrates 60 Years Of Divers With Three New Prospex References

Seiko cast the die of its dive-watch identity 60 years ago with the release of the 62MAS, and this week, we’re getting a trio of new Prospex watches in celebration of that history. The new divers are being released alongside a new King Seiko Vanac collection, which you can discover right here. These are 60th-anniversary limited-edition references built within the existing Prospex framework, and the star of the bunch is undoubtedly a new Marinemaster that feels a bit like a course correction. Each of these watches bring something unique to the table, however, and further flesh out Seiko’s modern (post-restructure) dive watch landscape. 

Like many of you, I have a huge soft spot for Seiko dive watches, which are ultimately responsible for pulling me into this world of watches. References like the 7002, SKX009 (and 007), and SBBNs are all staples of my journey, and exerted a huge influence on how I experience watches today. When Seiko restructured its dive watch portfolio around five years ago, emphasizing the Seiko 5 Sports collection on the entry level, and the 62MAS-esque Prospex references on the premium end with watches like the SPB149, the brand created a new foundation to deliver a far more diverse range of dive watches. These new releases highlight three of those areas. 

The first is the SPB511, built in the same 40mm skin-diver frame as the excellent SPB149. This anniversary model is a limited edition that gets a soft white dial and matte bezel insert. Like the newer variations of this 62MAS reincarnate, this watch uses a 6R55 automatic movement with 72 hours of power reserve that places the date window at 4:30 on the dial rather than cutting into the three o’clock hour marker. The dial gets a broad wave pattern that brings some depth to the table without altering legibility in any meaningful way. This reference is limited to 6,000 units, and will be priced at $1,400 when it goes on sale in July. 

Next is the SPB509, Seiko’s automatic GMT dive watch within the Prospex family. This watch uses a familiar wide case that measures 42mm in diameter and boasts polished flanks defining each lug. A dark blue ceramic bezel insert (with a minute index, not 24 hours) frames a dial of the same color featuring the same wave motif. This watch does get a 24 hour hand, which can be set independently of the other hands, though the hour hand itself is not independently adjustable. The SPB509 uses Seiko’s 6R54 automatic GMT movement with 72 hours of reserve, and again we find the date placed at 4:30. This watch is also limited to 6,000 units, and will be priced at $1,750. 

Finally, the new Marinemaster. This is a reference SLA081, and it brings back a monobloc case design, this time rendered in titanium. This is a welcome material considering the watch’s 45.4mm diameter, and 16mm thickness. The SLA081 feels like a return to form for the Marinemaster as a serious diving instrument. Seiko first used a monobloc case for a dive watch in the late ‘70s, and it’s a fitting application within the modern flagship diver. 

The new Marinemaster also gets a rather unique feature between the lugs, with a collar system holding the bezel in place, making it a more robust package able to stand up to some serious abuse without compromise. The pieces are screwed into the case on the underside, so it’s not a system that interferes with the view into the watch, or the use of the bezel. I’m not entirely sure how necessary the system is, but it goes well with the overengineered theme of the rest of the watch, so in total I’d say it’s a welcome feature. 

Like the other anniversary models here, the SLA081 also gets a deep wave pattern, though it’s set under a clear coat that brings an element of depth absent on the others. My hope is that this watch sets the tone for a new subset of Marinemaster references using the same titanium monobloc case. Perhaps with a plain matte dial to drive home the tool vibe that this watch is known for. 

The new Marinemaster SLA081 uses Seiko’s new 8L45 automatic movement that we saw in the King Seiko Vanac, which is accurate to +10/-5 seconds per day, and gets 72 hours of reserve. The watch will be limited to just 600 units produced, and will be priced at $4,600 when available this summer. You can learn more about these new Prospex Divers on the special homepage Seiko created here.