Seiko Prospex 1968 diver’s modern re-interpretation GMT (SPB381, 383 & 385)

[Reikolexguy]

https://www.seikowatches.com/us-en/p...1968_gmt/index

I’m really looking forward to this new release of the Seiko prospex.

The black and green dial look pretty darn good.

One of the launches I’m really looking forward to this year apart from the Tudor black bay 41 burgundy bezel on jubilee bracelet.



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[1William]

I am going to check them out when they get to my AD.

[fskywalker]

Green looks good!


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[Old Expat Beast]

If only the date was at 3 I'd be on board!

[Schmed]

Looks like a GMT MarineMaster. 200M, though.

[Reikolexguy]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

If only the date was at 3 I'd be on board!

Think it was put there to align it with the winding stem & crown. Probably an ergonomics & economic decision?

I like that the crown in that 4 o’clock position doesn’t dig into my wrist when I wear the watch on my left hand.

Also maybe too costly to retool the production line.


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[Reikolexguy]

The spec sheet looks good too. Compared to the Prospex LX line, this looks far more wearable for smaller wrists like mine.

Already have the black & green variants on pre-order at US$1,205 / piece. Can’t wait!




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[RW16610]

Great looking watches, I've always wanted a Seiko diver like that. Glad to see it has a sapphire crystal! Not sure if I missed it, but is the bezel ceramic?

The older model similar to this appeared to be ceramic due to the gloss finish but it actually wasn't, so just curious.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Reikolexguy

Think it was put there to align it with the winding stem & crown. Probably an ergonomics & economic decision?

I like that the crown in that 4 o’clock position doesn’t dig into my wrist when I wear the watch on my left hand.

Also maybe too costly to retool the production line.


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I also like the crown at 4, but most Seiko watches that have the crown there (SKX, MM200, MM300, Tunas, etc) have the date or day/date at 3, including the original 1968 diver that this is based on.

[Reikolexguy]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I also like the crown at 4, but most Seiko watches that have the crown there (SKX, MM200, MM300, Tunas, etc) have the date or day/date at 3, including the original 1968 diver that this is based on.

I stand corrected. Thanks!


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[Old Expat Beast]

[Reikolexguy]

Originally Posted by RW16610

Great looking watches, I've always wanted a Seiko diver like that. Glad to see it has a sapphire crystal! Not sure if I missed it, but is the bezel ceramic?

The older model similar to this appeared to be ceramic due to the gloss finish but it actually wasn't, so just curious.

Yes, the bezel is made from ceramic.


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[RW16610]

Originally Posted by Reikolexguy

Yes, the bezel is made from ceramic.


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That's perfect, thanks for confirming!

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

If only the date was at 3 I'd be on board!

I actually like it at 4:30 here. It (almost ) aligns with the crown. Even better, the date blends with the dial, maintaining a certain harmony: it almost feels like a no-date watch.

Anyway, just personal preference.

[Reikolexguy]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I actually like it at 4:30 here. It (almost ) aligns with the crown. Even better, the date blends with the dial, maintaining a certain harmony: it almost feels like a no-date watch.

Anyway, just personal preference.

Yeah, the date window placement doesn’t bother me.

Although I might change my mind when I actually see the watch in person.

It’s a toss up between the black or green dial for me.


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[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I actually like it at 4:30 here. It (almost ) aligns with the crown. Even better, the date blends with the dial, maintaining a certain harmony: it almost feels like a no-date watch.

Anyway, just personal preference.

Of course, and I might be able to live with it if the numerals were level, like this, rather than at an angle.

[111forza]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Of course, and I might be able to live with it if the numerals were level, like this, rather than at an angle.

Good point now can’t ignore the date angle great looking watch though and very tempting

[Chewbacca]

Looks good. The only issue I have with mid-high range Seiko ‘reinterpretations’ is they include some odd design cues which don’t work, to me. Like date locations and that ProSpex X on a nice dial nobody wanted. I think this is why the simple $400 base turtle is such a good watch. The price makes you look past some of the things that don’t work. I even prefer them over the King Turtles.

[Reikolexguy]

Waiting for this release to hit the Seiko boutiques to get a hands on look and feel of the watch.

The Tudor BB 41 burgundy on jubilee didn’t disappoint.

Hopefully this will so that I can save some $.


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[Reikolexguy]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Looks good. The only issue I have with mid-high range Seiko ‘reinterpretations’ is they include some odd design cues which don’t work, to me. Like date locations and that ProSpex X on a nice dial nobody wanted. I think this is why the simple $400 base turtle is such a good watch. The price makes you look past some of the things that don’t work. I even prefer them over the King Turtles.

Agreed. Still not quite sure if I like that 3 day text on the dial.


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[Reikolexguy]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Of course, and I might be able to live with it if the numerals were level, like this, rather than at an angle.

[mention]Chewbacca [/mention]

Now I understand why the date window was placed in such an unusual position. To qualify as an ISO certified diver’s watch, every single hour marker needs to be lumed. Apparently, “Diver” can only be printed on the watch dial if it meets specific certification requirements.

I guess Seiko couldn’t put the date window at the 6 o clock position because of all the text. Would’ve been nice though.


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[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Reikolexguy

[mention]Chewbacca [/mention]

Now I understand why the date window was placed in such an unusual position. To qualify as an ISO certified diver’s watch, every single hour marker needs to be lumed. Apparently, “Diver” can only be printed on the watch dial if it meets specific certification requirements.

I guess Seiko couldn’t put the date window at the 6 o clock position because of all the text. Would’ve been nice though.


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That’s not the reason. Seiko started adding a small lume plot to the edge of the date window at 3 to comply with that ISO update a couple of years ago. Some models with the same reference number have lume or no lume at 3 depending on the year they were made. The SPB147J1 for example. Seiko has been putting the lume at that 4.30 spot for decades anyway.

[Qwe7410]

I like the watch TS posted, I saw a handsome watch which i was told to be the marine master. Is there a grand seiko version?