Seiko Prospex SPB455 100th Anniversary 1965 Heritage
In the years since it released its first diver’s watch in 1965, Seiko has developed new technologies, features, and designs that have won the favor of professional and recreational divers the world over. Through more than a half-century of innovation, the company has continuously pushed back the boundaries of where sports watches, and diver’s watches in particular, can go and how they can be used. Continuous enhancements in safety, reliability, legibility, and ease of use have made Seiko a leader in diver’s watches. As Seiko celebrates the 100th anniversary of the wordmark "SEIKO" appearing on a watch dial, the venerable Japanese maker has introduced a slew of upgrades to its most sought-after modern re-interpretation of the original diver's watch from 1965, now upgraded with 300 meters of water resistance and a power reserve of three days.
This watch is now powered by one of Seiko’s latest in-house automatic movements, Caliber 6R55, which has a power reserve of 72 hours. This watch is further enhanced to ensure water resistance to 300 meters, a first for Prospex non-saturation diver’s watches. The date window has been moved to the space between four and five o’clock to allow for a more symmetrical design and for the 3H space to be filled with Lumibrite, ensuring high legibility even in dark conditions.
Also updated is the physical case dimensions, now with a case diameter of 40.0mm, a lug-to-lug length of 46.4mm, and a thickness of 13.0mm, yielding an easy wearing experience perfect for everyday use. A new bracelet with shorter links and a smaller clasp allows the watch to conform to the wearer's wrist and provides a new level of comfort, while the case's shorter lugs also ensure a high degree of wearability.
The special edition watch comes with an additional strap made entirely of recycled plastic bottles. It was created using a traditional Japanese braiding technique called Seichu. The strap presents a uniquely Japanese aesthetic and texture and is specially manufactured to have a tensile strength nearly four times that of regular Seiko fabric straps*. Its strength and resistance to the degradation caused by exposure to sunlight meet the demanding standards required of Seiko diver’s watches. Thanks to its unique braiding pattern, the strap has the flexibility and air permeability to ensure maximum comfort on the wrist.
Information:
New: Seiko Prospex SPB455
Reference: SPB455
MSRP: $1400
Bezel Aligns
Strap: Stainless Steel Bracelet
Case Size: 40mm x 13mm x 46.4mm lug to lug
Lug Width: 20mm
Case Metal: Stainless Steel
Movement: 6R55 - Automatic
Functions: Time, Power Reserve, Date
Box and Papers: Both
Crystal: Sapphire
Bracelet size: 7.75”
Condition: New Unworn
History of Seiko Watches
Seiko's history began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori opened a watch shop in Tokyo. In 1892, he established Seikosha, a factory for producing wall clocks. The company quickly progressed, creating Japan's first wristwatch, the Laurel, in 1913. Despite setbacks like the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, Seiko persevered, launching its first watch under the Seiko brand name in 1924.
The post-World War II era saw Seiko's rapid growth and innovation. They introduced Japan's first automatic wristwatch in 1956 and launched the prestigious Grand Seiko line in 1960. Seiko achieved international recognition for accuracy in 1968, winning a Geneva Observatory competition.
The company made a name for its divers in 1965 with the introduction of their first professional dive watch, the 62MAS. This was followed by the iconic 6159-7001 in 1968, which was water-resistant to 300 meters. Seiko gained international recognition in 1975 with the release of the 6159-7010, nicknamed the "Tuna Can" due to its distinctive case shape. In 1969, they revolutionized the industry with the Astron, the world's first quartz wristwatch, ushering a new era of watchmaking that would send waves across the industry through the 70s and 80s. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global watchmaking giant, Seiko's history is characterized by resilience, technological advancement, and a commitment to precision.
