As watch enthusiasts, we can sometimes be quite selective with the watch we wear and often biased toward luxury watch brands. We love the art of watchmaking with its complex mechanisms, high-quality materials, and Haute Horlogerie décoration.
While that is the case, there are also well-made yet accessible watches that are arguably on par with high-end watches. With its Prospex collection, Seiko is a strong contender in this category. It offers a wide range of diver’s watches that retail for a fraction of the price you would pay for a Rolex Submariner, Omega Seamaster, Patek Philippe Nautilus, and the likes.
Today, we’re giving you five things that make Seiko Prospex watches deserve your consideration. But first, let’s walk through the history of this coveted timepiece!
Seiko Prospex Watch Through Time
Have you ever wondered why people buy a diver’s watch but don’t use it for diving? Well, the thing is, you don’t have to be a diver—or athletic, at the least—to get one. Dive watches are known to be durable and dependable, making them an excellent accessory for daily wear. They prove to be better than their non-dive counterparts in this context, and you may want to invest in one because of their style, elegance, and practicality.
Seiko Prospex fits into all these categories with its rich legacy of being a companion in exploring the world’s harshest environments. Short for professional specifications, Prospex appealed to consumers who sought the brand’s philosophies of unwavering quality and reliability.
The history started in 1965 with the release of the Seiko 150M dive watch 62MAS. It was the first-ever Japanese dive watch with a bidirectional rotating bezel, legible lumed hands, and an easy-to-grip crown.
In response to the demand for a dive watch that could go deeper than 300M, Seiko later introduced the Seiko Professional Diver’s 600M 6159-7010 watch in 1975.
It has a titanium outer case that gives the watch its distinct tuna can appearance. Other remarkable releases of Seiko Prospex include the 600M 7549-7009 Golden Tuna, the first saturation diver powered by a quartz movement released in 1978, and the 7C46-7008, which can go as deep as 1000M.
5 Reasons You Should Buy a Seiko Prospex Dive Watch
- Seiko has a long history of developing the best dive watches
The long history of the Japanese watch brand dates back to 1881 when Kintaro Hattori opened K. Hattori, a watch and jewelry shop right in the heart of Tokyo. The band went on to produce wristwatches that were well-received by watch enthusiasts.
Seiko—founded under K. Hattori—introduced its first-ever dive watch in 1961, the Silverware. However, it wasn’t until the release of the Seiko 62MAS that the brand made headlines in the dive watch segment. Since then, the brand has served many fantastic dive watches, including the Seiko Prospex.
- Seiko watches are built to meet professional diving standards
To be considered a dive watch, a timepiece should be able to resist at least 10 bars of water pressure, hold out against saltwater, be legible at a 25cm distance even in the dark, and keep track of diving time—the elapsed time and decompression stop. It should also be anti-magnetic and shock-resistant. The good news? Seiko is all of them.
With its reliable movements and high-quality materials, Seiko develops watches to professional levels of quality. The brand’s dive watches are well regarded among watch collectors and divers alike and would make a great addition to your collection. They hold up well against their more expensive counterparts quite well.
- The brand has established a reputation for using the best materials
Seiko is known for its durable timepieces, thanks mainly to its use of high-quality materials to deliver its promise of longevity and robustness. It uses PVD plating in most of its watches, and the result is a finish that is scratch-resistant and aesthetically appealing.
Other Seiko watches use titanium for the ultra-lightweight and hard-wearing timepiece. But, more than the use of robust materials, the Japanese watchmaker also employs advanced mechanisms to ensure the overall robustness of their watches. Its dive watches, for example, have high water resistance, and they must pass pressure tests and do well under pre-controlled lab conditions to qualify as a diving watch.
- There’s a great Seiko Prospex watch for every budget
From vintage and discontinued models to new releases, you’ll find a compelling Seiko Prospex watch at every price point. It means when looking at your options with this dive watch, you must consider how much you’re willing to spend.
For almost every hundred-dollar increment, there will be a Seiko Prospex watch for you. But, one thing’s sure, no matter your budget, your choice will offer the same trait: the brand is known for value for money. For $300, you can get a selection of entry-level Seiko automatic watches that offer robust in-house movements and serious diving specs.
- The brand’s limited-edition models make great collector’s items
Vintage dive watches are the real deal. From a collectibility standpoint, no other genre has enjoyed as much attention as they have, and dive watches have proven to maintain their value well. Even when the likes of Rolex Submariner and Panerai models have significantly increased their value in recent years, one can only expect their prices to soar further in the secondhand market.
Throughout the years, Seiko has launched limited-edition versions of its most popular models to celebrate its heritage. These watches are usually limited in number, making them even more desirable among collectors. Often, these pieces are collaborations with other brands, celebrities, designers, and charities. Other times, they are a remake of an out-of-production vintage Seiko watch, re-launched with updated movements and a modern twist.
Conclusion
Seiko Prospex is a collection that integrates an elegant, sporty look with excellent specifications. The watch is practical, reliable, and built to withstand even the harshest of environments. But, most importantly, it is accessible to all kinds of watch enthusiasts, making it the perfect watch for adventure seekers and casual wearers alike.
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