On July 10, 2020, Seiko will release a reissue of a 300m air diving diver's watch originally released in 1968. This model features an "Ever Brilliant Steel" case and a 10-beat high-beat movement. For this reissue, the watch's specifications have been upgraded from air diving to saturation diving.
Seiko "1968 Mechanical Divers Reproduction Design"
High-spec diver's watch
Seiko, which developed Japan's first diver's watch in 1965, continued to develop and refine its diver's watches. In 1968, the company developed a model with a 300m air diving capability. While its predecessor was water resistant to 150m, the new model featured a screw-down crown and a one-piece case, evolving it into a full-fledged diver's watch.
Perhaps as a sign of their confidence, the word "PROFESSIONAL" has been added to the dial. Another feature is the inclusion of a 10-beat high-beat movement, which enhances resistance to external disturbances. The fact that they succeeded in developing a diver's watch with specifications that are still relevant today, just three years after the release of their first diver's watch, shows how much effort the company put into this field.
Seiko has now announced a reissue based on this model with further upgrades. This is the "1968 Mechanical Divers Reissue Design." The exterior is made of "Ever Brilliant Steel," which is highly corrosion-resistant and aesthetically pleasing, and the overall coloring is a blue-gray that evokes the deep sea.
The movement used is the 10-beat high-beat movement, "Cal. 8L55." It is a highly reliable movement that meets the high standards of durability and aesthetics required of luxury watches, and its specifications have also been fully considered for practical use as a diver's watch.
The water resistance has also been improved, and while the original model was designed for air diving, the new model is now designed for saturation diving. This shows the company's determination not to settle for simply reproducing the watch.
