2021 Seiko Prospex LX Spring Drive Black SNR031J1
Ref: SNR031J1 (5R65-0AN0)
Specification
Lugs : 22mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Black Titanium
Warranty : Manufacturer Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Seiko box and paperwork. The watch comes fitted on a Seiko 22mm black Silicone strap with a Titanium buckle and keeper, included is an additional Seiko strap. The watch is from August 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
Here we have a 2021 Seiko Prospex LX Spring Drive Black SNR031J1 that has a 45mm Titanium angular case coated in a black super hard DLC coating. This LX collection is named after the Latin ‘Lux’ for light due to the use of acute angles that refract light and shimmer as you rotate your wrist. In collaboration with Japanese designer Ken Okuyama, he has taken the iconic Seiko diver’s watch design and increased the number of surface angles thus increasing the way the watch reflects light. It is truly mesmerising when on your wrist. A lug to lug length of 50.5mm and a case thickness of 16mm give the watch an impressive wrist presence. The case shape sits on the wrist like a cushion, Seiko gets ergonomics so right. At 4 o’clock a deep knurled screw-down crown. The unidirectional compass bezel has deep engraved numerals holding a slightly curved sapphire crystal AR coated. A matte black dial has an outer minute chapter ring. Applied disc and baton indexes coated in LumiBrite mark the hours. At 3 o’clock a framed date window. Between 7 and 8, we have a 72 power reserve indicator scale. Broad baton hands have LumiBrite infill. The second hand has a counterweight filled with LumiBrite. An applied Seiko at 12 o’clock with grey text at 6 o’clock completes this striking stealth dive watch. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with the engraved Seiko and the Prospex motif in the center. Inside is a Spring Drive Grand Seiko Cal. 5R65, the innovative Spring Drive movement which is mechanical, but with an electromagnetic escapement regulated by a quartz oscillator. It has 30 jewels and a power reserve of an impressive 72 hours. Its sole power source is a mainspring that drives a series of gears. A rotor connected to the end of these gears generates a small electrical charge that activates an electronic circuit and quartz oscillator. Therefore there is no need for a battery. The watch comes fitted on a Seiko 22mm black Silicone strap with a Titanium buckle and keeper. 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. For me this is Seiko showing what they can do and flexing their muscles, this is them saying to the Swiss "Keep an eye on us". Yes, it's big and it wears big, but the way this case has been designed they've allowed a big watch to still wear really well on the wrist, even those with smaller wrists, so come try it on before deciding its too big for you.
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 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.