Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017 Watch Review

Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017 Watch Review

Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017 Watch Review

Seiko joined the race for watches for diving much following the Swiss did. For example, Blancpain introduced the Fifty Fathoms in 1953, rapidly adopted by Rolex and also the Submariner (in 1953 too), both regarded as the very first purpose-built watches for diving (with screw-in crown and rotating passed-time bezel), Tudor included their Submariner in 1954 and Omega included the Seamaster 300 in 1957. Seiko anxiously waited until 1965 in the future using their own vision of the dive watch, however this lengthy wait wound up in the development of probably the most legendary watches of the trademark. This 62Mas may be the mother of approaching marine watches of the trademark (fonts, dial color, bezel style, situation style…) as well as today, Seiko’s professional watches for diving - dubbed Prospex - are greatly inspired through the ref. 6217. Although not inside a vintage way.

Japan may have been slower compared to Swiss in the future available on the market

Seiko’s status when it comes to watches for diving is unquestionable. The company advantages of an amazing aura and respect among collectors first, but mainly among professional divers, who know of the efficiency and longevity of these watches. Which status isn't any accident of fate. It's the consequence of 50 plus many years of innovation, in line with the 62Mas, a period of time where Seiko shown its brilliance, being accountable for creating most of the features which are now broadly recognized because the industry norms. Indeed, The ISO 6425 standards happen to be partly according to facets of Seiko’s diver’s watches. Seiko inventions such as the accordion-style strap, using titanium like a situation material and also the extra wide hands have helped to define the world’s expectations of the items a diver’s watch ought to be.

Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017 Watch Review

The Seiko 6217-8000/1, nicknamed the “62Mas”, had strong arguments: a computerized movement (calibre 6217A), a 150m water proofing, a sizable (in those days) 37mm situation having a mono-bloc shape (rather massive integrated lugs, which ensure the solidity from the situation) for optimum protection along with a dark gray dial with large indexes and hands, obviously all luminous. The bezel had been having a perfectly readable 60-minute insert, with the needed markings, but was still being bi-directional. Now, this icon has returned, in an exceedingly faithful reedition, the Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017.

Essentially, what we should have here's an very faithful entertainment (and Seiko does mention this and never a reedition

So when really take a look at both of these watches, that old one and also the brand new one, you realize why recreation…). All things have been recreated in the same manner: same situation shape, same bezel, same bezel insert, with similar scale, exactly the same font and also the same dots, exactly the same dial, with identical indexes, hands, inscriptions, exactly the same date window, exactly the same (type of) caseback. The strap, with gemstone pattern continues to be recreated. Initially sight, it’s like getting a brand new Old Stock form of the 62Mas (for those who have one, send me an e-mail, please…). Is the fact that all? Well, not necessarily, because the new Seiko SLA017 will a couple of concessions to modernity though.

The very first factor to notice may be the being similar to the situation between your Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017 and also the 62Mas. They share the very same shape, having a mono-bloc design, meaning integrated and rather bulky lugs, sharp angles throughout, a quite unadorned, utilitarian design (don’t look for polished angles or smooth parts here, this watch is supposed to be rough and it is purpose-built). The oversized and fluted crown from the 62Mas has returned (and really quite prominent), so might be the holes within the lugs to rapidly alter the strap. When it comes to execution from the surfaces, the SLA017 stays with the circular brushing on top of the situation, again similar to the 62Mas. What exactly happen to be updated? Essentially, as frequently such recreations: the timepiece has become bigger. From the 37mm diameter around the original, the situation from the SLA017 is continuing to grow to 39.9mm - that is admittedly quite reasonable, especially when compared to usual 44mm / 46mm installments of Seiko’s watches for diving. The timepiece has become water-resistant to 200m rather of 150m around the 62Mas.

Exactly the same faithfulness could be noticed in the bezel. The insert remains like the original 62Mas, having a 60-minute scale and graduations for (almost) every minute. Even when rather unpractical, Seiko made a decision to keep your dots absent round the numerals, and therefore some minutes aren't marked. A luminous us dot is positioned at 12. Another concession to modernity: the bezel has become unidirectional, an important feature of contemporary watches for diving (for security reasons, should you accidentally turn the bezel, the rest of the time around the scale are only able to be shorter). The notched profile from the bezel is near to what are available in the 62Mas. Another concession to modernity may be the apparition of the azure very, replacing the vintage Plexiglas (but nonetheless the azure includes a highly domed profile).

When it comes to dial, the partition is equivalent to the remainder, with this particular Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017: faithful. We discover back exactly the same polished and elevated rectangular indexes, with large dimensions and lots of luminous paint for night readability. The date window at 3 is every bit circled having a polished ring. The dial itself shows the normal dark gray colour of Seiko watches for diving, having a sun-ray brushing. The dial’s inscriptions evolve slightly when compared to 62Mas, having a printed emblem rather of the applied one. Yet, overall, the dial remains near to the 62Mas (even when we are able to observe that the moment markers are actually longer). The hands-set can also be faithful towards the original.

Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017 - 1965 Seiko 62Mas 6217 ReeditionOn the wrist, the Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017 is very enjoyable, having a reasonable size which tool style that made the vintage edition so desirable and efficient. It's some obvious vintage flair but feels modern when it comes to wearability, presence and mainly quality of construction. It feels solid and perfectly adjusted - most likely a notch over the MM300 for example. Things are firm and precisely adjusted. The plastic strap is supple and comfy, while its look befits design for the timepiece. A stainless-steel bracelet can also be incorporated within the box.

The Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017 is outfitted having a high-finish Seiko movement

Calibre 8L35, that was specifically created for watches for diving and it is produced by Seiko’s skilled craftsmen and ladies within the Shizuku-ishi Watch Studio in Morioka in northern Japan - we’re not speaking a good entry-level movement here, by no means. This movement is dependant on the architecture from the Grand Seiko 9S55, is completed in an exceedingly enjoyable way, boasts 50h of power reserve, beats quicker than standard Seiko movements (28,800 vibrations each hour versus 21,600vph in many entry-level Seiko divers) and it is hands-put together and hands-adjusted (rated to -10/ 15 sec/day).