Seiko’s range of function-first dive watches nicknamed “Tuna” after their can-like case shape feature a distinctive outer “shroud,” 4 o’clock crown, and strap attachments under the case. Taken together, this results in a timepiece more akin in appearance to a submarine gauge than a typical wristwatch. While evidently designed with aesthetics as a secondary consideration, this function-first quality has managed to make them stylish. Seiko has capitalized on that status with the Street Series of solar-powered watches in a range of colors, and the newest models feature some notable design updates.
It’s the hands and indices that stand out the most. They return to Seiko roots, seeming to reference the brand’s vintage dive watches with blocky dial elements replacing the more contemporary-feeling arrows and circles found on the previous models. The case size is scaled down by a few tenths of a millimeter, which probably won’t be a very noticeable difference in its wearing experience — but it should be noted that a lugless case design helps the otherwise unwieldy-sounding 46.7mm-wide case wear surprisingly well.
Meant to be extremely rugged and practical, they feature solar-charging quartz movements and 200m of water resistance. In two variations, the new Seiko Prospex Solar Street Series watch in monochromatic black and steel (SNE541) has a price of $400, and in military green with a black-coated steel (SNE543) of $450.
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