2021 Seiko Prospex 1968 Re-Creation Limited SLA025J1
Ref: SLA025J1 (8L55-00D0)

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original Seiko box and paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original 19mm black silicone strap with a signed buckle. The watch is from July 2021 and is sold in worn condition, but overall very fair condition as you can see. The watch comes with the remainder of its Manufacturer's Warranty.

The Watch

Seikos history began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori established the K. Hattori retail and repair store. In 1892 Seikosha was established to make wall clocks. 1895 saw the production of their first pocket watch. 1913 saw the launch of their first wristwatch, the Laurel. In 1924 the first Seiko was manufactured. Daini Seikosha (now Seiko Instruments Inc.) was established in 1937. Seiko was listed on the Tokyo stock exchange in 1949. The Suwa factory became independent and formed Suwa Seikosha Co., Ltd. (now Seiko Epson Corporation in 1959). In 1956 Seiko launched Marvel as their first true in-house-made watch; they continued to make this watch until 1959. Japan’s first chronograph watch was introduced for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics; it was called the Seiko Crown Chronograph mono-pusher. Not stopping there Seiko launched Japan's first true divers watch the Seiko Diver’s 150M fitted with the automatic Caliber 6217 which later was given the nickname “62MAS” by collectors. The company name was changed to the Seiko Corporation in 1990. Innovation at Seiko continues today with GPS Solar watches. 

Here we have a 2021 Seiko Prospex 1968 Re-Creation Limited SLA025J1 Limited Edition of 1500 pieces. Made to celebrate the anniversary of the 1968 Seiko ref: 6159-7001 “Professional” dive watches. A 45mm brushed angular stainless steel monobloc case coated in Seiko’s Diashield super-hard coating. To get to the movement you have to go in from the crystal side. The case shape sits on the wrist like a cushion, Seiko gets ergonomics so right. A lug to lug length of 51mm and a thickness of 15.5mm gives the watch an impressive wrist presence. Chamfered edges lead the eye towards the broad drilled lugs. On the right side at 4 o’clock a screw-down crown with the Prospex logo stamped into it. The unidirectional bezel has a glossy black insert with a 60 minutes scale in gold numerals. A flat sapphire crystal AR coated sits above a black dial. An outer minute chapter ring with applied disc and oblong indexes outlined in gilt coated in LumiBrite marks the hours. At 3 o’clock a framed date window. Broad gilt sword hands expertly brushed are coated in LumiBrite complemented by a lume tipped sweeping seconds hand. Text is applied to the dial with HI-Beat and Professional precisely printed on it in gold ink. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with the Seiko Tsunami in the center with the number out of 1500 underneath. Inside an Automatic Hi-Beat Seiko Cal. 8L55, 37 jewels, 36,000 beats per hour. The movement has hand winding and hacking functionality for your convenience. Based on the Grand Seiko caliber 9S85 it is hand-assembled at the Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio in Morioka. The watch comes fitted on a Seiko 19mm black silicone strap with a signed buckle. The watch also comes with its Seiko presentation box and papers.

Personal Note

I'm excited to be dedicating an entire drop to Seiko, but not just any Seiko, some of the very top end of what Seiko can offer, with finishing and movements on par with Grand Seiko. With this release, Seiko has really captured the charm and essence of the original but brought it up to modern quality and sizes, whilst some of us will always prefer a smaller watch, this is for the gentleman or lady who wants that wrist presence! Plus, once you loupe that dial you'll see what all the fuss is about.