The Up to date 62Mas-Impressed Seiko Prospex 1965 Divers 300m

Prospex 1965 Divers is a reputation which means quite a bit at Seiko. It refers to what’s in all probability probably the most traditional dive watch assortment of the model, which, as you might need guessed, finds its origins in a 1965-designed watch. However we’re not speaking about any watch, or any Seiko dive look ahead to that matter, however the model’s inaugural foray underwater, its first dive watch, Japan’s first skilled dive watch: the all-time necessary 62Mas. Nonetheless as related because it was, it has served for a number of years as an inspiration for contemporary aquatic instruments and continues to take action as Seiko simply up to date the Prospex 1965 Divers assortment with the SPB451, SPB453 and SPB455… And these are on the coronary heart of our newest video evaluation. 

It’s not the primary time we’ve talked in regards to the Prospex 1965 sequence. And for apparent causes. This assortment might be traced again to at least one watch: Seiko’s very first diver, the 62MAS. Launched in 1965 as reference 6217-8000 and nicknamed 62MAS, indicating the motion as a part of the 62 calibre household and with MAS referring to “autoMAtic Selfdater” or “SeikoMAtic Selfdater”, this watch set the tone for many subsequent dive watches of the model—extra on this matter in these articles right here and right here.

What’s extra related at present is that Seiko has, since 2017 and the devoted re-edition of the unique 62Mas, used this comparatively easy fashion as a base for a number of collections, starting from accessible to high-end and from traditional to extra authentic. What we’ll be specializing in at present are mid-range watches from Seiko, with reference numbers beginning with SPB. For about 4 years, the intermediate Seiko Prospex 1965 Divers assortment was represented by three fashions, the SPB143, SPB147 and SPB149. This 12 months, in a typical “evolution, not revolution” method, the Japanese watchmaker launched an replace on this much-appreciated vary, bringing incremental upgrades to the design, the proportions, the specs and the motion.

So right here’s the 2024 Seiko Prospex 1965 Divers 300m assortment—the water resistance within the title ought to already give a primary indication of the evolution—comprising two traditional references, the blue SPB451 and black SPB453, and one particular version in celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the Seiko model, the charcoal SPB455.

What has modified?

Whereas yow will discover out about all of the evolutions within the video above, right here’s a abstract of what has been up to date on the Prospex 1965 Divers assortment this 12 months, in comparison with the earlier editions:

Barely decreased case diameter – 40mm vs. 40.5mm
Barely decreased thickness – 13mm vs. 13.2mm
Shorter case – 46.4mm vs. 47.6mm
Screw-down crown now barely recessed for higher ergonomics
Water-resistance now at 300m (vs. 200m previously)
Extra pronounced polished bevels on the aspect
Metal case retains the super-hard coating
Unidirectional bezel nonetheless with a metallic insert, however now matte as an alternative of round brushed

As for the dials, there aren’t any main updates apart from the date window:

General, equivalent design for the embossed markers and palms
New “computerized 3 days” and “Diver’s 300m” mentions at 6 o’clock
Dial and bezel are actually colour-matched (black on black, blue on blue)
The date window has been relocated to 04:30 attributable to new ISO 6425 necessities and to carry a symmetrical design

Seiko introduces a brand new motion to this assortment:

Calibre 6R55 replaces calibre 6R35
Prolonged energy reserve (72h vs 70h)
Accuracy inside a spread -15/+25 seconds per day minimal (usually examined to a lot smaller tolerances)

New design for the bracelet and clasp:

New 3-link bracelet with shorter hyperlinks for extra flexibility
New folding clasp, shorter than earlier than, for higher ergonomics
Nonetheless outfitted with a security closure, pushers and a diver’s extension
The SPB455 particular version comes with a further braided textile NATO-style strap

For much more particulars about these new Seiko Prospex 1965 Divers 300m SPB451, SPB453 and SPB455, in addition to our last opinion relating to this replace, be sure to look at the video on the high of this text. For extra particulars in regards to the watches, please seek the advice of www.seikowatches.com.