In 1965, Seiko made a splash in the world of watchmaking with the introduction of its first diver’s watch, the legendary 62MAS. This marked the beginning of a legacy that would grow into the famous Seiko Prospex collection of divers’ watches. For decades, Seiko has continued to push the boundaries of technology, design and function, earning the admiration of both professionals and enthusiasts worldwide.
Today, at the forefront of Seiko’s modern dive watches is the Marinemaster line, with a collection characterized by powerful and high-performance movements designed specifically for divers’ watches, ensuring precision. stability in challenging underwater conditions.
First launched in the Japanese domestic market, the Prospex Marinemaster line is now making its global debut with three new versions, including a limited edition that pays homage to Seiko’s rich heritage and two major product line introductions. Representing the official global launch of the Marinemaster line, each new watch takes design inspiration from the iconic 62MAS (below). They are equipped with a 39.5mm stainless steel case that is water resistant to 200 meters and features a box-shaped sapphire crystal.
The horizontal stripe pattern represents the crashing waves on the dial while adding a touch of style to the new design, which features the words “Marinemaster” printed just below the Seiko logo at 12 o’clock.
The silver-white dial honors the Seiko 100th anniversary limited edition (ref. SJE097), while light blue (ref. SJE099) and black (ref. SJE101) dials join the Prospex collection as standard watches.
Each watch’s hour, minute and second hands borrow design cues from the 1965 diver’s watch, ensuring a seamless homage to a classic aesthetic. To ensure legibility in all lighting conditions, Lumibrite-filled indices and unidirectional bezel luminous dots are incorporated, enhancing visibility in the dark.
Powering the new diver trio is the automatic Seiko Caliber 6L37, a new movement based on the slim Caliber 6L series created to meet the demanding standards of diving. Derived from the previous Caliber 6L35, the 6L37 has undergone adjustments to enhance shock resistance, maintaining the signature slim profile of the 6L movement. In true Seiko style, it is protected against magnetic interference, with a resistance of up to 4,800 A/m. This ensures that the watch maintains accuracy and reliability even in environments where magnetic fields can pose a challenge.
For the first time on a Seiko diver’s watch, the new Marinemaster series features an exhibition case back, allowing a view of this finely finished, high-performance mechanical movement that provides a power reserve. in 45 hours. The development of divers’ watches with transparent backs, a feature that tends to add thickness, has presented its own technical challenges. The new watch needed to maintain the high level of water and shock resistance that Prospex typically achieves with a closed back while still maintaining a slim profile. By rethinking the case structure and using the slim Caliber 6L37, Seiko has succeeded in creating the thinnest mechanical watch for divers with a height of only 12.3mm.
The Prospex Marinemaster models are attached to a new bracelet featuring elliptical links with a mirrored double-curved surface. Like the cases, they are distinguished by their hairline and mirror finish.
