Seiko Prospex First Diver's Re-creation Limited Edition
Seiko Prospex First Diver's Re-creation Limited Edition
2017 GPHG Petite Aiguille Category Finalist
A 1965 Seiko classic diver resurfaces intact with authentic vintage cool, as the brand look to relive past glory with the Prospex First Diver's Re-creation Limited Edition.
Predating what would become a global reputation for defining standards in the design of the modern dive watch, Seiko's first foray delivered all the diver could ask for, and with its 1965 styling, all-round practicality and unfailing reliability, The First Diver laid the foundation for an ongoing and historic underwater legacy.
So true to the original design, it only differs in that it is 1.9mm wider at 39.9mm, and has a taller sapphire crystal to enhance legibility, as well as its good looks. The black dial is one piece, with pronounced embossed hour markers filled with powerful Super LumiNova, as are the hands, and the luminous zero dot on the coin-edged, unidirectional bezel.
Underpinning its vintage styling, the Caliber 8L35 high grade self winding movement within is state of the art Seiko watchmaking, and so the result is the best of both worlds. It's concealed behind a limited edition steel caseback, which combined with the screw in crown ups the water resistance to 200m.
This Prospex First Diver's Re-creation Limited Edition by Seiko must be a strong contender in the GPHG 2017 Petite Aiguille category, and they've done it before, back in 2014. If being a watch you could wear every day, and put a smile on your face every time you admired it were judgment criteria, then it would win handsomely.
Will its classic functional sportiness win over the more formal styles of Bulgari or Habring², or are Tudor the main threat?
I think it could actually come down to a coin toss between the Prospex First Diver's Re-creation Limited Edition and the Habring² Erwin.
The Watch Press prediction
Yes. As much as I would be delighted if the small Austrian independent were to lift the cherished award, I think the Seiko will win it instead, and that's not sour grapes either, because how could you not love the First Diver's classic cool allure? I do.
The pertinents
REFERENCE: SLA017
CASE: Stainless steel
BRACELET/STRAP: Rubber
BUCKLE: Folding clasp
MOVEMENT: Self winding mechanical. Power reserve: 50 h, 28'800 vph
FUNCTIONS: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date
SIZE: ø 39.9 mm
THICKNESS: 14.1 mm
WATERPROOFNESS: 200 m
PRICE EXCL.VAT: Est. c. CHF 3'450
