2021 Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary "Glacier" SLA043J1
Ref: SLA043J1 (8L35-01C0)
Specification
Lugs : 19mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Seiko box, swing tags and paperwork. The watch comes with a Seiko 19mm matte black silicone strap with a signed buckle, and an additional blue Seiko rubber strap which has been cut by the previous owner to be shorter. 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 our 12-Months Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RGCQDDU1Kf9S7gcTK7bEKzuNuLzFU3KS?usp=sharing
4K YouTube video, skip to 25:58 - https://youtu.be/OWen3FoSmZg
The Watch
This 2021 Seiko Prospex 55th Anniversary "Glacier" SLA043J1 celebrates the 55-year Anniversary of Seikos use by the Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions since 1966, this watch is limited to 1700 pieces and is a modern interpretation of Seiko's first "Professional" dive watches. The 40mm brushed stainless steel case is an industry first using Seiko’s “Ever-Brilliant Steel,” which is usually used in Maritime applications due to its corrosion resistance, the case shape sits on the wrist like a cushion, Seiko gets ergonomics so right. A lug-to-lug length of 48mm and a thickness of 14mm gives the watch an impressive wrist presence, on the right side at 3 o’clock a screw-down oversized signed crown. The unidirectional bezel has a black insert with a 60 minutes scale in white numerals, a box-shaped sapphire crystal sits above a sunburst “Glacier” blue dial. An outer minute chapter ring with applied oblong indexes outlined in stainless steel coated in LumiBrite marks the hours, and at 3 o’clock a framed date window. Broad baton hands expertly brushed are coated in LumiBrite complemented by a lume-tipped light blue sweeping seconds hand. Text is applied to the dial at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock respectively. On the reverse, an etched dolphin is in the centre with the model number and number out of 1700, inside an automatic Seiko 8L35, 26 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour, the movement has hand winding and hacking functionality for your convenience, based on the Grand Seiko calibre 9S55 it is hand-assembled at the Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio in Morioka. The watch comes fitted on a Seiko 19mm blue silicone strap with a signed buckle and the watch also comes with its Seiko presentation box, swing tags and papers.
Personal Note
This offers some of the very top end of what Seiko can do, with finishing and movements on par with Grand Seiko. When this was released I know a lot of people had their reservations due to the price, but when you get one in hand, loupe the dial, feel the case, and see the accuracy of the movement, it all becomes apparent this is not "Just a Seiko", this is something far more special and truly incredible!
The Brand
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 monopusher. 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.