Page 124 - SHARP Winter 2022

SHARP WATCH
How to Buy Your First Seiko Dive Watch
THERE ARE PLENTY OF GOOD OPTIONS FOR YOUR FIRST DIVE WATCH (MANY OF WHICH ARE included in the previous pages of this issue), but if your search has led you to Seiko, you could probably use a little help narrowing down your choices from here. As Japan’s most respected mechanical watchmaker, Seiko has an expansive offering of waterproof sports watches that range from suit-ready desk divers to professional wristwear built for extended saturation dives. While you can’t really go wrong with any of them, the chart below is designed
to help you find the one that fits your taste and budget. Happy shopping.
Under $2,000
The Seiko 5 Sports is one of the few things in the watch world that pretty much everyone can agree on. Classic design, a solid automatic movement, and lots of colour choices — all for the low price of $450.
I like it, but I was hoping for something with a bit more diving cred.
Understood. If you’re looking for some- thing to take on your next reef dive, you’ll want to check out the Seiko Prospex SPB181. It’s got all the right features, plus the en- dorsement of the Pro- fessional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). $1,095
That looks solid, but I’m not sure it’ll work for the office. What do you think?
We think you’re going to like the new retro-in- spired Alpinist SPB241. While slightly more low-key than the PADI model, it still has 200 m water resistance. More importantly, though, it looks great under a shirt cuff. $950
Under $6,000
Seiko’s new Prospex SPB143 might be Seiko’s big- gest hit of recent years, and it’s easy to see why: its 40 mm case, curved sapphire crystal, and screw- down crown hit all the right notes. $1,595
WHAT’S YOUR BUDGET?
What’s a “budget”?
We like your style. At the top of the Seiko Prospex range, you’ll find the LX line, which brings out the very best in Seiko’s materials, movements, and features. Among the best of these is the SNR029, which boasts a titanium case, 300 m water-resis- tance, and Seiko’s super-accurate Spring Drive movement. $7,800
IT’S PERFECT! I LOVE IT!
That’s a great modern diver, but I was looking for something a little more historic.
How about the Seiko Prospex 1975 Div- er’s Reinterpretation SLA042? Nicknamed “Tuna” for its flat, can- shaped case, this watch was one of Seiko’s biggest break- throughs of the 1970s. $5,195
What a funky-looking watch! Maybe a bit too funky for me, though.
In that case, you’re going to love the Seiko Prospex 1965 Diver’s Re-Creation SLA043, which is modelled after Seiko’s first-ever dive watch. In addition to its ret- ro looks, it’s equipped with the high-end 8L35 calibre movement built by hand in the Shizukuishi Watch Stu- dio where Grand Seiko is made. $5,995
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