Seiko Brings Back The Iconic Marinemaster
Seiko has just announced the return of another of its emblematic models, the Marinemaster, a pure dive watch with a contemporary design.
Launched in 1999, under the reference SBDX001, the diving watch had a 44mm case with robust dimensions that offered a water resistance of 300m and was powered by the reliable Caliber 8L35 automatic movement. Some interactions followed, however, the model would be discontinued as it was overshadowed by other brand launches in recent years.
Now it returns redesigned and more compact, in the form of three new iterations, with the references SJE09, a limited edition, and SJE099 and SJE101 integrated into the current Prospex collection.
The biggest and most noticeable difference is in the dimensions of the new Marinemaster, whose case size reduction is substantial but without being exaggerated, now wearing a case measuring 39.50mm in diameter by 12.30mm thick, which allows the watch to be used on a daily basis without becoming uncomfortable, which was not possible with the original model due to its large dimensions.
On the outside, we now have a stainless steel case that comes with the same round shape, featuring a mainly brushed finish contrasting with the polished finish of the bevels, unidirectional bezel with diving scale and pip lume at 12 o’clock, box-shaped sapphire crystal, screw-down crown at 3 o’clock, screwed open case back and 200m water resistance, which as many have probably already noticed means that it suffers a substantial reduction in its base waterproofness.
The textured dial features a horizontal stripe pattern, applied baton hour markers and hands all filled with LumiBrite, a lollipop centre seconds hand, a tiny round-shape date window at 4:30 and finally, the brand’s lettering followed by ‘Marinemaster’ at noon and on the opposite side the inscriptions with Prospex logo followed by ‘Automatic’ relating to the movement and ‘Diver’s 200m’ relating to the brand’s line.
The three references are distinguished by the colour of the dial and bezel, the SJE097 comes with a brushed metallic insert bezel and white dial with blackened accents, the SJE099 with a blue bezel and a light blue dial, and finally the SJE101 comes with a black bezel and dial.
Inside it now runs the Caliber 6L37 automatic movement, which comes with an accuracy of +15 / -10 seconds per day, operating at 28,800 Vph and offering up to 45 hours of power reserve.
The new diving watches, which come attached to a steel bracelet with a diving extension, are expected to hit the market in December 2024 for a price of €3,400, with the SJE097 being limited to 1,000 units.
Read more here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Seiko
Model: Prospex Marinemaster 1965 Diver’s Modern Re-Interpretation
Reference: SJE097, SJE099, SJE101
Dial: White (SJE097), light blue (SJE099), black (SJE101)
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Dimensions: 39.50 mm diameter, 12.30 mm thickness
Crystal: Sapphire glass
Case Back: Sapphire glass
Water Resistance: 200 Meters
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with diving extension
Caliber: 6L37
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 Vph
Jewels: 26
Power Reserve: 45 Hours
Price: € 3,400
Availability: December 2023
Limited Edition: No (SJE099, SJE101), Yes, 1,000 pieces (SJE097)
