2022 Seiko Naomi Uemura 80th Limited Edition 44mm SLA049

Here we have a 2022 Seiko Naomi Uemura 80th Limited Edition 44mm SLA049. This limited edition of 0317/1200 pieces is a modern interpretation of Seiko's iconic 6105-8110, which was the brand’s second true diver. The 2021 launch coincides with Naomi Uemura’s 80th Anniversary of his birth. It features a characteristic asymmetric case designed to be robust, with a recessed signed crown at 4 o’clock. Japanese adventurer Naomi Uemura, who wore a 6105 when he spent 18 months crossing Greenland solo from Alaska by dog sledge in 1976. Sadly, Uemura passed away on February 13, 1984, whilst descending Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, North America's highest peak. His death remains a mystery; rescuers found his diary and some equipment in a cave, and many believed he fell and was buried by snow or fell into one of the many crevasses. His body was never found. A curvaceous 44mm stainless steel C-shaped asymmetric case features well-defined polished and circular brushed surfaces, protected by a super-hard coating. Its curved, polished flanks lead to a lug-to-lug length of 48.5mm and a case thickness of 13mm, giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. Seiko gets wrist ergonomics so right for a comfortable fit. On the right side at 4 o’clock, a recessed crown is protected by the asymmetrically shaped case. A uni-directional stainless steel bezel has a glossy metallic blue insert, reflecting the hue of the sky Uemura would have seen in Earth's upper atmosphere, its 60-minute scale in white numerals and markings. A domed sapphire crystal, AR-coated on the inside, sits above a textured blue dial, inspired by the colour of the night sky Uemura would have experienced on his expeditions. An outer minute track surrounds applied square and rectangular indexes coated in LumiBrite, marking the hours. At 4.30, we have a colour-matched date window with white numerals on a black background. Stainless Steel fence hands filled in the same lume are complemented by a sweeping second hand with a white and red stoplight-style counterweight. At 12 o’clock, we have the Seiko motif, and at 6 o’clock, the Prospex logo and “Automatic Divers 200m” are printed underneath. On the reverse, a screw-down case back, Naomi Uemura 80th Limited Edition, etched around its edge, features the details of the watch and the embossed Seiko Tsunami in the centre. Inside an Automatic Seiko Cal. 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 and the watch comes paired with its Seiko 20mm stainless steel brushed links and polished inner links bracelet with a signed three-fold clasp and flip lock; all links are provided, plus an additional 20mm vintage style leather strap. The watch comes with its Seiko presentation box and paperwork.

This watch is sold with its original Seiko box and Seiko paperwork. Seiko 20mm stainless steel brushed links and polished inner links bracelet with a signed three-fold clasp and flip lock; all links are provided, along with an additional 20mm vintage-style leather strap. The watch is from January 2022 and is sold in worn condition, but overall it is in very fair condition, as you can see from the photos. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.

The 2021 launch coincides with Naomi Uemura’s 80th Anniversary of his birth. It features a characteristic asymmetric case designed to be robust, with a recessed signed crown at 4 o’clock. Japanese adventurer Naomi Uemura, who wore a 6105 when he spent 18 months crossing Greenland solo from Alaska by dog sledge in 1976. Sadly, Uemura passed away on February 13, 1984, whilst descending Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, North America's highest peak. His death remains a mystery; rescuers found his diary and some equipment in a cave, and many believed he fell and was buried by snow or fell into one of the many crevasses. His body was never found.

Reference : SLA049 (8L35-01H0)
Movement : Automatic Seiko Cal. 8L35
Age : January 2022
Year : 2022
Case Size : 44mm
Case Thickness : 13mm
Lug to Lug : 48.5mm
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

Seikos' history began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori established the K. Hattori retail and repair store. In 1892, Seikosha was established by making 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 Calibre 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.