The New Seiko Prospex SLA065 Save The Ocean Limited Edition

Photo: Wornandwound

One major thing Seiko enjoys doing more than creating special editions is reviving some of the company’s iconic designs. The brand has yet again turned to the 62MAS, more commonly known to enthusiasts as the company’s first diving and Japan’s premier purpose-built diving piece, to start the New Year 2023.

The Seiko 62MAS is a very significant watch because it was the first diving piece ever produced by the firm and, surprisingly, by Japan. As you might expect, it has also served as a never-ending inspiration source for the Japanese company, which has utilized its distinctiveness to build, bringing it to life again in numerous versions.

Photo: Wornandwound

This isn’t the only time Seiko has brought back one of its first divers. However, the latest Seiko Prospex 1965 Modern Re-Interpretation SLA065 provides the vintage style a modern touch instead of just being a precise replication of the initial construction with contemporary resources. Moreover, it places it as a member of the well-known Save the Ocean collection from the company, at the same time displaying this current implementation at the pinnacle of Seiko’s capabilities.

The newest Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Limited Edition SLA065’s casing appears strikingly similar to the 62MAS at first glance. However, if you fail to read the specifications, you may assume it’s virtually identical to the SLA017 dated 2017, except with a deeper blue color scheme and a new dial.

Photo: Wornandwound

The general look hasn’t altered much, though (which is to be anticipated considering that both variants significantly draw inspiration from the company’s initial diver of 1965). Besides, in order to accommodate its expanded size, this updated Seiko SLA065’s casing is a little bit bigger than the one used in the SLA017 and has modified dimensions.

Photo: Wornandwound

In addition, the casing of this latest Prospex SLA065 is made of stainless steel and has Seiko’s solid surface treatment. It is 41.3 millimeters in diameter, 13.1 millimeters wide, has 20mm lugs, and has a general profile of 47.6 millimeters. Furthermore, the redesigned Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean SLA065 is both broader and slightly slimmer than the SLA017. This implies that the wrist will likely have a smoother and more streamlined design.

A robust screw-down stainless steel caseback covers the rear of the watch, which is shielded by the dual-domed sapphire crystal that sits in front of the casing of the Seiko SLA065 and has an anti-reflective coating on the inner face. A unidirectional revolving bezel featuring a metallic blue 60-minute lapsed time inlay also surrounds the crystal. Moreover, for a touch of delicacy, the tiny area around the inlay, as well as the bevel dividing the surfaces of the lugs from the edge of the case, are Zaratsu finished.

Photo: Wornanwound

The Seiko Prospex SLA065’s movement may be accessed through a straightforward screw-down wound crown placed at the three o’clock position because the classic 62MAS significantly influences the movement’s basic layout. Additionally, it contributes to the 200 m of waterproofing created by the strong caseback. A patterned dark blue silicone strap is attached to the SLA065’s 20mm lugs, and the angular, boxed lugs have perforated holes to simplify switching straps.

Previous Save the Ocean versions have featured a variety of aquatic species, including sharks and manta rays. However, the Fournoi Underwater Survey and Excavation in Greece is supported by the latest Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean SLA065 watch. It is an underwater historical landmark that will be explored in order to preserve its cultural value for future times. The SLA065 pays homage to this nautical design influence with a metallic dark blue dial inscribed with crossing curvy lines in a style modeled after the ancient astrolabe. Mariners used it to calculate their area’s latitude using the sun and stars’ position. As a result of this, the general design of the dial, aside from the hue and pattern, is essentially the same as previous variants that drew inspiration from the classic 62MAS. Moreover, it has a date aperture at three o’clock, three baton hands positioned in the center, and huge rectangle hour markings. 

Photo: Seiko

Furthermore, as you’d anticipate from such a Seiko ISO-certified Prospex diving piece, the Save the Ocean SLA065’s triple hands, along with each 12-hour markings, are polished with green-brilliant Lumibrite for simple time-telling in low-light conditions. Seiko has also developed a broad range of variants modeled after the classic 62MAS diver’s architecture, even though the pricing of the various timepieces that adhere to this basic look can vary considerably.

The innovative Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean SLA065 is presented as a luxury edition inside the company’s catalog, much like the SLA017 from 2017. A large part of this is because of the movement utilized to drive the wristwatch. Additionally, the Caliber 8L35 automatic movement, which has a power reserve of about 50 hours and beats at a speed of 28,800 mph (4 Hz), is housed within the SLA065. 

This Cal. 8L35 is inspired by the Grand Seiko Cal. 9S55 and has a greater operational rate and stricter timekeeping limitations than typical Seiko movements. It serves as the company’s standard mechanical alternative for its premium diving watches. Besides, in comparison to timepieces with inferior movements, Seiko’s pricing premium for variants with the Caliber 8L35 is indeed very significant. Also, the 8L35 is unquestionably an improvement over the existing reliable calibers that Seiko employs to drive its entry-level devices. 

Photo: Oralcle Time

Overall, the latest Seiko Prospex 1965 Modern Re-Interpretation Save the Ocean SLA065 is among the most costly watches in the present Prospex collection, even though it is less valuable than the SLA017 from 2017. Furthermore, the innovative SLA065 will be created in a special run with a worldwide manufacturing limit of 1,300 pieces, just like previous ultra-premium Seiko Prospex variants.

Photo: Oracle Time

In light of this, it’s important to emphasize that this updated SLA065 isn’t merely a sophisticated edition of the line with an improved movement or the old SLA017 in a different color. Rather, the company’s updated diving watch, the Seiko Prospex SLA065, provides a lot of the similar fan-favorite style in an increasingly upscale and sophisticated setting, alongside a special Save the Ocean design feature.