2021 Seiko Prospex Marine Master Blue SLA023J1 [ON HOLD]
Ref: SLA023J1 (8L35-00R0)

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original Seiko box and paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original  Seiko 20mm stainless steel bracelet brushed links and polished inner links with a signed fold clasp and a dive extension and is coated in Seiko’s Diashield which is scratch-resistant, also included is a blue Seiko strap and orange cut Crafter Blue. 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 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. 

This 2021 Seiko Prospex Marine Master SLA023 is a modern interpretation of Seiko's first "Professional" dive watches such as the famous 62MAS. A 44mm brushed and zaratsu polished 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 50mm and a thickness of 15mm gives the watch an impressive wrist presence. Chamfered polished 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 dark blue ceramic insert with a 60 minutes scale in white numbers. A flat sapphire crystal sits above a sunburst blue dial. An outer minute chapter ring with applied disc and oblong indexes outlined in stainless steel coated in LumiBrite marks the hours.  At 3 o’clock a framed date window. Broad sword hands expertly brushed are coated in LumiBrite complemented by a lume tipped gilt sweeping seconds hand. Text is applied to the dial with a red 300m highlighting its impressive water resistance. On the reverse, an embossed Seiko Tsunami is in the center. 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 caliber 9S55 it is hand-assembled at the Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio in Morioka. The watch comes fitted on a Seiko 20mm stainless steel brushed links and polished inner links bracelet with a signed fold clasp and a dive extension and is coated in Seiko’s Diashield which is scratch resistant. 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. This watch is a bit of a strap monster, especially with the fantastic offerings from Crafter Blue, well worth checking out. We've been fortunate enough to have sold this reference a few times and each time it really does blow me away for the money, I think it's well on par with Swiss offerings double or more! Come try it on and see for yourself.