Seiko Unveils Three New Prospex Dive Watches For 60th Anniversary

Seiko marks the 60th anniversary of its dive watches with three exciting new Prospex models, paying homage to its rich legacy since 1965. Leading the lineup is the highly anticipated Marinemaster Professional SLA081, alongside the Prospex 1968 Heritage Diver’s GMT SPB509 and the Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver’s SPB511. These timepieces blend vintage aesthetics with cutting-edge technology, reinforcing Seiko’s dominance in the world of dive watches.

Seiko Marinemaster Professional SLA081 – A Tribute to 1968

The Marinemaster Professional SLA081 embodies the brand’s continuous innovation in dive watch construction. Retaining elements of Seiko’s iconic 1968 diver, it introduces modern advancements like an L-shaped gasket to prevent helium infiltration—eliminating the need for an escape valve.

The watch is housed in a 45.40mm titanium case with a Super-hard coating and measures 16mm in thickness. It features a dual-curved sapphire crystal and a black DLC-coated steel bezel that is secured by four screws. The screw-down crown is positioned at 4 o’clock, and the screwed solid case back ensures an impressive 600m depth rating.

Its deep blue wave-textured dial enhances the aquatic theme, complemented by applied beige Lumibrite markers and hands. A framed date window at 3 o’clock adds to the functionality. Inside, the Caliber 8L45 automatic movement powers the watch, featuring 35 jewels, an accuracy of +10/-5 seconds per day, a 28,800 Vph beat rate, and a 3-day power reserve.

Completing the look is a titanium bracelet with a secure folding clasp. The Marinemaster SLA081 will be available starting in July 2024, limited to 600 units and priced at €5,200.

Prospex 1968 Heritage Diver’s GMT SPB509 & Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver’s SPB511

Accompanying the Marinemaster, Seiko introduces two new heritage-inspired Prospex models: the SPB509 and SPB511, honoring the original 1968 and 1965 dive watches, respectively.

Both watches feature a 42mm stainless steel case, with a thickness of 13mm, except for the SPB509, which is slightly thicker at 13.3mm. They come with an anti-reflective sapphire crystal and a 60-minute unidirectional bezel with a lumed pip at 12 o’clock. The water resistance is rated at 300m, making them reliable dive companions.

Their dials showcase a textured wave-pattern design, with the SPB509 in blue and the SPB511 in silver-gray. Applied indexes and Lumibrite-filled hands enhance visibility underwater. A date window at 4:30 adds functionality. The SPB509, being a GMT model, includes an extra central orange GMT hand that works in partnership with the 24-hour outer ring to track a second time zone.

Powering these watches are the Caliber 6R automatic movements. The SPB509 is equipped with the Caliber 6R54, which beats at 21,600 Vph and provides a 72-hour power reserve. The SPB511 houses the Caliber 6R55, which operates at the same frequency and also offers 72 hours of power reserve.

Both models come fitted with a 3-link stainless steel bracelet, featuring an improved folding clasp that allows for easy micro-adjustments up to 15mm in six increments of 2.5mm. They will be available from June 2024, limited to 6,000 units each, with prices set at €1,900 for the SPB509 and €1,500 for the SPB511.

Final Thoughts

Seiko’s 60th-anniversary Prospex lineup perfectly balances tradition and innovation, reaffirming the brand’s commitment to high-performance dive watches. The Marinemaster SLA081 stands as a robust professional diver, while the SPB509 and SPB511 cater to enthusiasts looking for heritage-inspired designs with modern reliability. With limited availability, these timepieces are set to become collector’s favorites.

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General Specifications:

Brand: Seiko

Model: Prospex Marinemaster ‘Shinkai’ 60th Anniversary 600m Saturation Diver, Prospex 1968 Heritage Diver’s GMT 60th Anniversary, Prospex Diver 1965 Heritage Diver’s 60th Anniversary Limited Editions

Reference: SLA081, SPB509, SPB511

Dial: Blue (SLA081, SPB509), silver (SPB511)

Case Material: Titanium (SLA081), stainless steel (SPB509, SPB511)

Case Dimensions: 45.40 mm x 16 mm (SLA081), 42 mm x 13.30 mm (SPB509), 42 mm x 13 mm (SPB511)

Crystal: Sapphire glass

Case Back: Titanium (SLA081), stainless steel (SPB509, SPB511)

Water Resistance: 600 Meters (SLA081), 300 meters (SPB509, SPB511)

Strap: Titanium bracelet with a folding clasp (SLA081), Stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp (SPB509, SPB511)

Caliber: 8L45 (SLA081), 6R54 (SPB509), 6R55 (SPB511)

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, GMT (SPB509)

Winding: Automatic

Frequency: 28,800 Vph (SLA081), 21,600 Vph (SPB509, SPB511)

Jewels: 35 (SLA081)

Power Reserve: 72 Hours

Price: € 5,200 (SLA081), € 1,900 (SPB509), € 1,500 (SPB511)

Limited Edition: Yes, 600 pieces (SLA081) and 6,000 pieces each (SPB509, SPB511)

Availability: July 2025 (SLA081), June 2025 (SPB509, SPB511)