Seiko Introduces the SLA069 Paying Homage to Naomi Uemura
Seiko pays homage to Japanese mountaineer Naomi Uemura with the new SLA069, a modern re-interpretation of the 1970s diver’s watch.
Naomi Uemura, born in 1941, soon stood out for her adventurous spirit, climbing Mont Blanc at just 29 years old, after Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Aconcagua, and already in 1970 Mt. Everest and Mt. McKinley (Alaska’s Denali) thus becoming the first mountaineer in the world to climb these five peaks.
The new watch features the same 1970s robust 44mm asymmetrical case with a super-hard coating that protects it from scratches, alternating between brushed and polished finishing, screw-down crown at 4 o’clock with crown guards integrated into the case design, curved sapphire glass, screw case back, unidirectional black bezel with a blue coin edge as well as the crown hue evoking the blue shadows that surround Mont Blanc, and finally 200m of water resistance.
Like the blue details on the case described above, this celebratory edition also stands out on the dial, embodying a textured white dial that aims to create the silhouette of Mont Blanc covered in snow. On the dial, the traditional layout of applied indices and pencil hands all filled with Lumibrite, a central seconds hand with a red tip, a date window at 4 1/2 o’clock and the usual inscriptions of the brand logo at 12 o’clock and three lines of text at 6 o’clock with the “X” logo of the Prospex line, followed by “Automatic” and “Diver’s 200m” referring to the movement and the water resistance.
The watch is offered on a 5-link steel bracelet that is given the same treatment and finishes as the case.
Inside, you get the Caliber 8L35 automatic movement that ticks 28,800 Vph and offers up to 50 hours of power reserve.
It is a limited edition of 500 pieces that come in a special box with Naomi Uemura’s motto: “When one dream is realized, other dreams will follow.”
The watch will be available from May 2023 in the brand’s official boutiques and selected brand retailers, for a recommended price of €3,000.
Read more here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Seiko
Model: Prospex 1970 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation. The Naomi Uemura Limited Edition
Reference: SLA069
Dial: White
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Dimensions: 44 mm diameter, 13 mm thickness
Crystal: Sapphire glass
Case Back: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 200 Meters
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet
Caliber: 8L35
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 Vph
Jewels: 26
Power Reserve: 50 Hours
Price: € 3,000
Availability: May 2023
Limited Edition: Yes 500 pieces
