The Prospex collection contains sports watches for professionals at affordable prices. The name "Prospex" is derived from "Professional Specifications," further demonstrating that these watches are for professional purposes. This is made most apparent when looking at the series' diving watches.
Tuna: Water-Resistant to 1,000 m
The so-called "Tuna" models are a great example of this. Their name comes from the case's outer shroud, which bears a strong resemblance to a tuna can. The outer shroud not only protects the watch from impacts but also improves its water resistance. Thus, timepieces like the ref. SLA042J1 "Golden Tuna," with its gold bezel, boast water resistance to 1,000 m (100 bar, 3,281 ft). Large glow-in-the-dark hands and indices make telling the time a breeze in all lighting conditions. This particular reference gets its power from the caliber 8L35 with a 50-hour power reserve. A SLA042J1 will set you back roughly 4,100 USD. Its sister model, the ref. S23631J1 with a black bezel and quartz caliber, is much more affordable at around 2,600 USD.
Turtle: A Beloved Diving Watch With Cult Status
Other popular Prospex diving watches include the various Turtle models and remakes of Seiko's first diving watch from the 1960s. Like the Tuna, the Turtle gets its nickname from its case shape, which looks like a turtle shell.
The Turtle ref. SPB151J1 is a 42.7-mm stainless steel remake of the ref. 6105-8110 worn by Martin Sheen as Captain Willard in "Apocalypse Now." This watch is water-resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft) and features a unidirectional rotatable diving bezel. Other defining features include a crown with a crown guard at 4 o'clock. Thanks to the caliber 6R35, the "Captain Willard Turtle" boasts a 70-hour power reserve. Prices for this classic watch sit around 1,400 USD.
For something more affordable, the ref. SRPE05K1 is a great alternative. It has a slightly more modern dial design and uses the caliber 4R36 with a reduced 42-hour power reserve. You can find this model on Chrono24 for as little as 570 USD.
Seiko's Retro Diver
Seiko's first diving watch debuted in 1965 and has since served as the blueprint for other Prospex models. The Prospex Automatic Diver's Limited Edition SLA043J1 from 2020 is especially similar to the vintage classic. From the case shape and domed crystal to the dial design, Seiko achieved a stunningly accurate remake. However, the modern Prospex outdoes its predecessor when it comes to water resistance. While the original was only resistant to 150 m (15 bar, 492 ft), the new watch is resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft). Furthermore, the remake's caliber, the 8L35, is a state-of-the-art movement with a 50-hour power reserve. Limited to a run of 1,700 pieces, this model sells for roughly 4,400 USD on Chrono24.
The ref. SPB147J1 is a much less expensive option that also has noticeable ties to Seiko's diving watch from 1965. However, the manufacturer has lent it a more modern design and the caliber 6R35. You can call this timepiece your own for about 1,100 USD.
Prospex LX With Spring Drive Technology
The Prospex LX series is home to the collection's high-tech models. Inside their cases, you'll find ultra-modern Spring Drive calibers, some with a GMT function. You can recognize these timepieces by their fourth central hands and bidirectional 24-hour bezel. Seiko equips other Prospex LX editions with compass or diving bezels.
Depending on the exact watch, a Prospex LX will set you back between 4,600 and 5,800 USD.
The Alpinist
The Alpinist series is another pillar of the Prospex collection. Its design dates back to the models Seiko developed specifically for mountain climbers in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Typical features include cathedral hands and triangular hour indices. In some models, these indices alternate with Arabic numerals. The 39.5-mm editions stand out with their additional crown at 4 o'clock, which is used to operate the internal compass bezel. Seiko leaves this feature off the smaller, 38-mm variants. As a result, these watches feel more elegant and less technical. The third Alpinist model is especially elegant and takes after the original Alpinist from 1959 with its dauphine hands and Art Deco dial.
No matter which Alpinist watch you choose, it will be water-resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft) and use the automatic in-house caliber 6R35. Be sure to have between 720 and 970 USD on hand for one of these timepieces.
Features of Seiko Prospex Watches
- Robust sports watches with mechanical or electrical calibers
- Top diving watches with water resistance to 1,000 m (100 bar, 3,281 ft)
- Prospex LX with Spring Drive technology
- Alpinist: a popular retro model