Seiko’s New Dive Watch Borrows a Trait from the Royal Oak

Seiko has countless dive watches that can be considered iconic. From the Turtle to the Samurai to the Tuna and several others, no other watch brand can claim so many distinct, notable underwater tool watches.

So whenever Seiko branches out with a brand-new dive watch model, it’s noteworthy, and that’s exactly what the brand has done today with the launch of its new Prospex dive watch.

This latest model has a design that’s quite unlike previous Seiko divers, and it brings to mind a certain iconic luxury sports watch from another brand.

Seiko

Seiko SPB483

Specs

Case Size	41.3mm
Movement	Seiko Cal. 6R55 automatic
Water Resistance	300m

• $1,100 at Seiko

SeikOak?

You’ve surely heard of the “CasiOak,” Casio fans’ nickname for the octagonal G-Shock 2100 series that playfully mimics some design cues of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Similarly, the first thing I thought of when I saw Seiko’s new polygonal diver was the Royal Oak, convincing me the nickname for Seiko’s latest tool watch should be the “SeikOak.” (It’s a work in progress.)

The AP vibes come courtesy of the new Seiko dive watch’s bezel, which has a softened octagonal shape that’s very similar to the trademark shape of the Royal Oak’s bezel.

Seiko

The shape of the bezel is where the similarities end, however, as this is still a unidirectional rotating dive watch bezel with dive-time markings, a lumed pip and a grippy edge — there’s no vertical brushing or exposed screws to be found. Seiko even says the bezel’s angular design actually aids in its grippiness, though I haven’t seen the watch in person to test out that theory.

The dial is also pretty different from most other Seiko divers, as the brand has gone with a wave-inspired “Coastal” dial featuring engraved horizontal waves that are flat across the top and curvy on the bottom. It’s a high-class design that’s in line with Seiko’s position of the new model, which the brand describes as having “resort-scene looks.”

Seiko

Prospex All the Way

Outside of the unique bezel and dial, the new Seiko diver feels like your standard modern Prospex dive watch. That means robust tool-watch capabilities and more premium features and finishing than you’ll find on Seiko 5 models.

In this case, we’ve got a 6R55 automatic movement complete with a full three days’ worth of power and a controversial 4:30 date window, an AR-coated sapphire crystal, and full mirror polishing on the top side of the case as well as on the middle links of the three-row bracelet. The super-hard coating on the steel should help keep those mirrored surfaces from instantly becoming defaced with scratches.

Seiko

Pricing and Availability

It remains to be seen if these new Seiko divers will eventually join so many of its brethren in becoming an icon, but for now, I think it’s a pretty attractive release at a solid value.

While the octagonal bezel immediately brought the Royal Oak to mind, the watch’s design is actually far closer to another luxury watch: The recently redesigned TAG Heuer Aquaracer, which not only features a polygonal dive bezel (12-sided in this case) but also an engraved wave dial and a somewhat controversial date window.

The new Seiko diver is quite a bit more affordable than the $3,800 TAG, however, as it goes on sale next month from Seiko for $1,100 in stainless steel. Three references are available: SPB483 with a blue dial and bezel, SPB481 with a beige dial and black bezel, and SPB485 with a black bezel and bronze-tone bezel and handset.

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