Japanese watch giant Seiko has been known for its robust, reliable diving watches since the 1960s. Most models are true tool watches, without any unnecessary “bling” or marketing gimmicks. The selection is huge and Seiko offers something for almost every budget. You can buy Seiko diving watches for a few hundred dollars, while other models have four-figure price tags. Their caliber technology and finishes vary accordingly. Today we’re presenting five of the best Seiko diving watches from different price ranges.
Prospex Marinemaster 300 Ref. SLA021J1
The Prospex Marinemaster 300 is considered a true classic in Seiko’s diving watch catalog. The manufacturer first presented the original model ref. SBDX001 in 2000. It’s received some minor updates since then, and is marketed with the reference number SLA021J1 as of 2018. One of the main features of the Marinemaster 300 is its “monoblock” case back and mid-case, machined from a single piece. Furthermore, Seiko treats the case with what it calls its “super-hard coating,” making it highly scratch-resistant. With a case diameter of 44.3 mm, a thickness of 15.4 mm, and 300 meters (30 bar, 984 feet) of water resistance, this timepiece is a great choice for larger wrists. Its dial design is one you’ll recognize from classic dive watches, with applied dot and bar indices. The automatic Seiko caliber 8L35 has always been used in the Marinemaster 300. The movement offers stop seconds, manual winding, and a 50-hour power reserve, and beats at 28,800 vph (4 Hz). You can purchase an unworn Seiko Marinemaster 300 (SLA021J1) for about $2,600, while you can find a new SBDX001 for around $250 cheaper.
Pepsi-Bezel Seiko SKX009 – All Is Lost
The Seiko SKX009 appeared on the wrist of Hollywood legend Robert Redford in the 2013 motion picture “All Is Lost.” While the Seiko SKX007 features a black dial and bezel, the SKX009 is equipped with a colorful Pepsi bezel. Robert Redford wears his Seiko on a NATO strap in his role as a skipper lost at sea; the standard version with reference number SKX009K2 is otherwise fitted with a steel Jubilee bracelet. The stainless steel case of this watch measures 42 mm in diameter and 13.5 mm thick. Its dial design with dot indexes is deliberately understated, emphasizing its tool watch character. The SKX009 is also water-resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft) and powered by the proven in-house caliber 7s26, generally regarded as a simple, durable “tractor” of a movement. While it does not feature stop seconds or manual winding, it does have a practical day-date complication. The 7S26 beats at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) and has a power reserve of approximately 41 hours. You can buy the Seiko SKX009 in unworn condition on Chrono24 for around $550.
Prospex Turtle SPB151J1 aka “Captain Willard”
Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam War epic “Apocalypse Now” was released in 1979, starring Marlon Brando as Colonel Walter E. Kurtz and Martin Sheen as Captain Willard. Sheen wore a Seiko ref. 6105 in this cinematic masterpiece, which would later go down in horological history as the Seiko “Captain Willard.” Originals are rare and expensive, which prompted Seiko to release several reinterpretations. One of the most authentic variants is the Prospex Turtle SPB151J1. Like the original, it has a “turtle” case and is water-resistant to 200 meters (20 bar, 656 feet). With a diameter of 42.7 mm, the watch is just over 1 mm smaller than the original and is thought to be more comfortable to wear as a result. Like the Marinemaster 300, the Captain Willard’s case has a super-hard coating that makes it particularly resistant to scratches. Its dial design remains true to the look of the original Captain Willard, with applied square and rectangular luminous indices interrupted only by a date window at 3 o’clock. The Captain Willard is powered by the tried-and-tested Seiko automatic caliber 6R35 with manual winding and stop seconds. Its rate of 21,600 vph (3 Hz) gives it a power reserve of 70 hours. Seiko offers this model on a stainless steel bracelet and a rubber strap; true fans will wear it on the latter, of course. You can purchase one new for around $900. If you like things a little more exclusive, you can opt for the Captain Willard ref. SLA033J1 with a 45-mm case and 8L35 caliber. This variant is limited to 2,500 pieces and costs around $6,000 unworn.
Seiko Prospex SPB143J1: Homage to the First Seiko Diving Watch
Seiko introduced its first diving watch, the 62MAS, in 1965. It featured an automatic caliber, luminous bar indices and, of course, a diving bezel. Like so many other diving watches from this period, the 62MAS has also become a classic among watch enthusiasts. Seiko presented the Prospex SPB143J1 in 2020 as a modern interpretation of the rare and expensive originals, while at the same time equipping the watch with the latest Seiko technology. With a case size of 40 mm, and 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft) of water resistance, this watch looks great on most wrists. The Prospex SPB143J1 comes on a three-link stainless steel super hard coated bracelet, with an additional black rubber strap included with your purchase. The dial stays true to the design of the original 62MAS and also has the slightly grayish color of the original, giving the watch a true vintage flair while offering the technology and look of a modern timepiece. The Prospex SPB143J1 is powered by the 6R35 caliber, which we also know from the “Captain Willard” SPB151J1. A new Seiko Prospex SPB143J1 is available starting at around $1,000.
Seiko Prospex SLA065J1 Astrolabe – Save the Ocean
The last watch on our list of the best Seiko dive watches is also a tribute to the 62MAS from 1965. Seiko introduced the Prospex SLA065J1 in 2023. Limited to 1,300 pieces, this watch was created in collaboration with underwater researchers whose goal is to learn more about and preserve historic underwater sites. The SLA065J1 sets the style with its blue dial patterned after an astrolabe, an ancient navigational instrument. The Seiko Prospex SLA065J1 has a 41.3-mm stainless steel case with super hard coating and a screw-down case back. It’s also water-resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft) – 50 m (5 bar, 164 ft) more than the original from 1965. Like the Marinemaster 300 and the SLA033J1 “Captain Willard,” the Seiko caliber 8L35 powers this timepiece as well. The watch is worn on a rubber strap that matches the color of the dial and bezel. You can purchase the Seiko Prospex SLA065J1 in unworn condition for around $2,550 EUR on Chrono24.
That’s our list of five of the best Seiko diving watches. Which one is your favorite?
