Inspired by a classic maritime navigation instrument

In 1965, Seiko introduced its, and Japan’s, first-ever diver’s watch. Known to fans as the 62MAS, it incorporated an automatic mechanical caliber and delivered 150m water resistance. Designed for maximum reliability and legibility in the harshest conditions, the 62MAS laid the path to the development of future landmark watches that won the favor of professional divers and adventurers alike. In this adventurous spirit, Seiko presents SLA065 — a modern re-interpretation of the celebrated 1965 diver’s watch with a dial whose design evokes centuries-old synergy of technology and seafaring.

As part of Prospex’s mission to contribute to the greater understanding and preservation of the world’s oceans, Seiko delivers financial and other support to chosen marine charities. One of these is an underwater archaeology project whose aim is to explore historical sites to protect their cultural heritage for future generations. Among these sites is one close to the Greek island of Fournoi where lie many ships that sank in the 4th century CE. Researchers are surveying and excavating them to learn more about the marine trading system in the Mediterranean at that time.

The dial pattern of new diver’s watch is inspired by the astrolabe, the ancient navigational tool that seafarers, perhaps including some of those who braved the rocky coastlines of Fournoi, used to determine the latitude and time of their location based on the position of the stars and the sun, and so assist their navigation.

While the watch’s design reflects its heritage, every aspect of this new creation is fully up to date in specification and execution. The watch is powered by Caliber 8L35, developed especially for diver’s watches and hand-assembled by Seiko’s most skilled craftsmen and women. The movement’s rigidity and accuracy ensure the highest possible levels of performance in the most demanding environments, both on land and under water. The bevel between the upper case and case side, as well as the surface around the bezel display, are Zaratsu polished to a distortion-free mirror finish to achieve a modern sharpness. All twelve-hour markers have a generous coating of Lumibrite, as do the hands, and the crystal is a dual-curved sapphire with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface to ensure high legibility from every angle. The strap is produced in silicone for greater strength and comfort.

Specifications:

• Size: 41.3mm (Thickness: 13.1mm)
• Stainless steel case with Super Hard Coating and Zaratsu polishing
• Caliber 8L35 (Automatic with manual winding mechanism)
• Frequency 28,800bph, 26 Jewels
• Power reserve: 50 hours
• Sapphire crystal with AR coating on inner surface
• Luminous hands and indexes with LumiBrite
• 200m water resistance
• Magnetic resistance
• Unidirectional rotating bezel
• Screw-down crown
• Limited to 1,300 pieces