Jewellery & Watch News
Seiko’s 2022 Black Series has arrived and alongside three permanent textile-strapped, black cased highly luminous diving watches, the Japanese watch manufacturer has launched a high-end limited edition inspired by a 1970’s reference famously worn by Naomi Uemura. Named the Seiko Prospex Black Series 1970’s Divers and found under reference SLA061J1, the limited edition of 1,000 pieces delivers premium spec including a fully-coated black case and bracelet and an automatic movement engineered at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio in northern Japan.
Every year since 2017, Seiko has launched a set of Prospex Black Series watches inspired by the sport of night diving. Exploring the oceans in the dark gives you a whole different perspective of underwater life from that of diving in the daytime. Designed to join you on such adventures, the Seiko Prospex Black Series evokes the night with black coated cases and often brilliantly illuminated dials helped by Lumibrite hardware. For the 2022 collection, these same aesthetics are revived within three modern re-interpretations of 1965, 1968 and 1970 diver's watches under references SPB253J1, SPB255J1 and SPB257J1. Joining them is the Seiko Prospex Black Series 1970’s SLA061J1 watch which delivers a contemporary take on one of Seiko’s most famous dive watches, the 62MAS.
Those already familiar with Seiko watches will have likely heard of the legendary 62MAS. It was the first professional diver from Seiko and was made famous for two things. The first was its appearance in the 1979 film Apocalypse Now strapped to the wrist of the main protagonist Captain Willard played by Martin Sheen. It’s presence in the film is also why you’ll find many designs like the Seiko Prospex Black Series 1970’s SLA061J1 Limited Edition referenced as a Seiko Captain Willard watch. It’s second claim to fame derives from Japanese explorer Naomi Uemura who wore the watch while undertaking a one-man dog-sledge run from Greenland to Alaska, a journey of 12,000 km that took 18 months.
As for the Seiko Prospex Black Series 1970’s SLA061J1 watch itself, we encounter the same rounded case, integrated crown guards and 4 o’clock crown as its predecessors but this time treated in a black hard coating. The case delivers surfaces that are either brushed or polished, sitting on the wrist at 44mm in diameter and 13mm in height. On top, a unidirectional rotating bezel opts for a matching black ceramic insert with a 60 minute scale while curved sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment ensures instant legibility of the dial beneath.
One of the most notable differences between the permanent trio in the new 2022 Seiko Black Series and the limited edition Seiko Prospex Black Series SLA061J1 watch is the dial. Following in the footsteps of some of the brand’s premium Grand Seiko designs, the centrepiece is finished in a stunning texture which on this occasion evokes the sand ripples you find on the seabed. The dial also showcases bold orange hardware on the seconds hand and on the lettering to mark its 200 metre water resistant rating. For the hours and minutes hands and applied hour markers, readability is guaranteed thanks to cream coloured lume.
Another premium feature of the Seiko Prospex Black Series 1970’s Limited Edition is its solid bracelet which like the case is given a black hard coating. It secures to the wrist by a folding clasp and divers extension and can be swapped out with the additional silicon strap included in the presentation box. Lastly, the Seiko Prospex Black Series SLA061J1 watch houses the Calibre 8L35, a 50-hour, 4Hz automatic winding movement which has been exclusively designed at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio in Japan. It also boasts an accuracy rating of +15 to -10 seconds per day.
If you’d like to learn more about the Seiko Prospex Black Series 1970’s SLA061J1 watch and order one of the 1,000 limited edition pieces for yourself, head over to the C W Sellors website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at sales@cwsellors.com.
Specifications: Seiko Prospex Black Series 1970’s SLA061J1
- Case Size: 44mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel with black hard coating
- Bezel: Unidirectional, black ceramic insert with 60 minute scale
- Glass: Curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Screw down
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: Calibre 8L35 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 50 hours
- Jewels: 26
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Accuracy: +15 to -10 seconds per day
- Dial: Black with sand ripples pattern, Lumibrite hands and markers
- Strap: Black hard coated bracelet
- Buckle: Folding with diving extension
- RRP: £2,850
- Limited Edition: 1,000 pieces
