2023 Seiko Prospex 'Astrolabe' Limited Edition 41mm SLA065J1

Here we have a 2023 Seiko Prospex 'Astrolabe' SLA065J1 Limited Edition of 1300 pieces, as part of their “Save the Oceans” line of dive watches that help to fund global conservation and the removal of damaging rubbish from our oceans. The 41mm stainless steel case is protected by a Seiko proprietary Super hard coating that curves in all the right places towards the drilled lugs, taking its inspiration from the original 1965 62MAS, which was worn by the members of the Japanese Antarctic Expedition between 1966 and 1969. A lug-to-lug length of 47mm and a case thickness of 13mm give the watch an impressive wrist presence. Zaratsu polished bevel-edge transitions perfectly along the flanks of the case; the same master polishing is applied to the unidirectional bezel, and a blue 60-minute insert has deeply engraved numerals and baton markers holding a double-domed sapphire crystal above a deep blue patterned dial. An outer minute chapter ring is precisely executed with applied baton indexes coated in LumiBrite, marking the hours, at 3 o’clock, a date window. The pattern on the dial resembles an ancient “Astrolabe” once used to show the positions of the sun and stars to enable sailors to measure latitude and time to help them navigate the world's oceans. Thick steel sword hands are infilled with LumiBrite and complemented by a counterweighted sweeping second-hand. At 12 o’clock, the Seiko motif, and at 6 o’clock, the Prospex logo “Automatic Divers 200m” is printed underneath, completing this professional dive tool watch. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with the Seiko Tsunami embossed in the centre, inside an automatic Seiko Cal. 8L35, 26 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour, based on the Grand Seiko calibre 9S55, hand-assembled at their Shizuku-ishi Watch Studio in Morioka, Japan. The watch comes fitted on its Seiko 20mm blue silicone strap with a signed buckle, plus a 20mm MILTAT bracelet, two clasps and all links are provided, and the watch comes with its  Seiko presentation box, swing tag and paperwork.

This watch is sold with its original Seiko box, swing tag and paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original Seiko 20mm blue silicone strap with a signed buckle plus a 20mm MILTAT bracelet, two clasps and all links are provided. The watch is from Circa. 2023 and is sold in worn but overall it is in very fair condition, as you can see, with a small mark on the bezel. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.

The dial on this watch is truly fascinating and looks incredible, connected directly to the watch's nickname "Astrolabe" which was an "ancient astronomical instrument that was a handheld model of the universe" - Yes, researching this took me down a rabbit hole! So pick up this watch with a hefty discount on RRP and enjoy wearing it and going down your own rabbit hole researching the Astrolabe!

Reference : SLA065J1 (8L35-01R0)
Movement : Automatic Seiko Cal. 8L35
Age : Circa. 2023
Year : 2023
Case Size : 41mm
Case Thickness : 13mm
Lug to Lug : 47mm
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 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 mono-pusher. 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.