Introducing the re-born Seiko 1986 Quartz Diver’s
Let’s go to another Pitch Watch
In 1975, Seiko made known to the world its first diving watch for professionals, christening it with the name “Tuna”, a watch designed for saturation diving, a technique which allows divers to dive in deep water and stay there for long periods and establish a balance between the pressure produced by the respiratory gas and the body and so reduce the decompression time. The first tuna had a water resistance of 600m and came with a mechanical movement, which would be replaced by the Caliber 7549 with a quartz movement three years later. In 1986, its successor was born, the SDS018 which, in addition to the new 7C46 quartz movement, also came with a titanium case and ceramic outer protector and offered a water resistance of 1,000m.
Seiko is now launching a limited edition of this legendary diving watch, the S23635J1, to celebrate 35 years of the SDS018. This new edition comes with a titanium case 49.4 mm in diameter and 16.3 mm thick, whose robustness is intended to facilitate handling through gloves and provide an easy reading in deep water where visibility conditions are reduced.
The case comes with a protective outer in Zirconia ceramic which is seven times harder than steel. Most of the golden exterior details of the old version disappear in the new Tuna, such as the bezel and crown, which are now displayed in gray and black respectively, and the crown is now engraved in yellow with the inscription “Lock” and with an arrow oriented to the correct direction of its screwing. Its winding stem also comes in yellow color to facilitate the perception of when it is not locked.
The dial of the new Tuna is now in deep blue with gradient black, the previous golden accents are now replaced by silver accents and black hands, all filled with extensive Lumibrite to make it easier to read, to highlight two details in yellow, the tip of the second’s hand and the inscription of 1,000m of water resistance at 6 o’clock, preceded by the inscriptions “X” by Prospex and “Professional” both in white.
The watch is equipped with exactly the same movement as 35 years ago, the very reliable quartz movement Caliber 7C46 with an approximate battery life of 5 years.
The watch is offered with two strong silicone straps, one in black and one in gray-blue with buckle and loop in gold steel. Each strap features the text “For Saturation Diving 1000m” in yellow.
The watches will be available from July at the brand’s authorized boutiques and retailers for €2,700 and are limited to 1,200 units.
General Specifications:
Brand: Seiko
Model: Prospex 1986 Quartz Diver’s 35th Anniversary Limited Edition
Reference: S23635J1
Dial: Blue
Lume: Lumibrite
Case Material: Titanium inner case and zirconia ceramic outer protector
Case Dimensions: 49.4 mm diameter, 16.3 mm thickness
Crystal: Sapphire glass
Water Resistance: 1,000 Meters
Strap: Black and blue-gray silicon straps
Caliber: 7C46
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day-date, diver bezel
Winding: Quartz
Jewels: 7
Price: € 2,700
Availability: July 2021
Limited Edition: Yes, 1,200 pieces
