1970 Heritage Diver’s Black Series Limited Edition. Designed for those who treat life as the ultimate adventure, the Seiko Prospex line meets every challenge with technological excellence and style. Part of a rich legacy of innovation in high-intensity timekeeping, Prospex continues to celebrate a long history of sports watch excellence with re-creations and re-interpretations of landmark achievements. From the dramatic Black Series, this distinctive Limited Edition, available only a controlled production run of 1,000, reimagines Seiko’s famed 1970 diver’s watch, complete with the iconic case design that revolutionized underwater safety with a recessed crown creating a built-in crown guard at 4 o’clock. This masterfully updated design is crafted of stainless steel with black hard coating, and includes a curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface, black uni-directional rotating elapsed timing bezel, and screwdown crown and caseback, as well as an additional black silicone strap. With red/orange accents to evoke the early dawn light on the ocean, the textured black dial features a date calendar and LumiBrite hands and markers. Following ISO standards for scuba diving to depths of up to 200 meters, this exceptional watch is powered by the 26-jewel 8L35 automatic mechanical movement, hand-assembled at the Shizukuishi watch studio to provide the enhanced torque necessary for a diver’s watch, along with manual winding capability, a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, and a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. Packaged in a Limited Edition collectors’ box. 200m Water Resistant
Information:
New: Seiko Prospex Heritage SLA061 Black Series Willard
Reference: SLA061
MSRP: $3300
Dated: 2024
Limited: 1000 Pieces
Bezel Aligns
Bracelet: Stainless steel hard coated
Case: 44mm x 13mm Thickness x 49.3mm Lug to lug - Stainless steel hard coated
Lug Width: 20mm
Movement: 8L35 - Automatic
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date
Box and Papers: Box and Papers
Crystal: Sapphire
Bracelet size: 7.75”
History of Seiko Watches
Seiko's history began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori opened a watch shop in Tokyo. In 1892, he established Seikosha, a factory for producing wall clocks. The company quickly progressed, creating Japan's first wristwatch, the Laurel, in 1913. Despite setbacks like the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, Seiko persevered, launching its first watch under the Seiko brand name in 1924.
The post-World War II era saw Seiko's rapid growth and innovation. They introduced Japan's first automatic wristwatch in 1956 and launched the prestigious Grand Seiko line in 1960. Seiko achieved international recognition for accuracy in 1968, winning a Geneva Observatory competition.
The company made a name for its divers in 1965 with the introduction of their first professional dive watch, the 62MAS. This was followed by the iconic 6159-7001 in 1968, which was water-resistant to 300 meters. Seiko gained international recognition in 1975 with the release of the 6159-7010, nicknamed the "Tuna Can" due to its distinctive case shape. In 1969, they revolutionized the industry with the Astron, the world's first quartz wristwatch, ushering a new era of watchmaking that would send waves across the industry through the 70s and 80s. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global watchmaking giant, Seiko's history is characterized by resilience, technological advancement, and a commitment to precision.
