5 Surprising Reveals from the Big Seiko Drop

Jeremy Freed March 3, 2021

Turning 140 is a big deal. Less of a big deal if you’re not a person, sure, but a big deal nonetheless. For Seiko, their 140th birthday year kicks off with a bunch of beautiful new drops that celebrate the brand’s past achievements and showcase their latest tech. With this much wrist candy, who needs cake?

The Alpinist is back

Seiko fans were dismayed when the brand discontinued its popular Alpinist sports watch in 2018 (there are plenty still out there for sale if you’re interested). Anyone who loves the Alpinist’s take on the steel sports watch, however, is going to surely be happy with the news this week that Seiko is bringing it back in not one but four distinct variations. Purists will clamour for the Seiko Prospex 1959 Alpinist Re-creation, a tribute to the first-ever Alpinist complete with a 36.6mm case, “bund”-style strap and a domed crystal. While this is a limited-edition of 1959 pieces, the Seiko Prospex 1959 Alpinist Modern Re-interpretation is a permanent addition to the collection with three dial colours and a choice of stainless steel bracelet or horsehide strap.

Seiko Prospex 1959 Alpinist Re-creation

Price: $950, seikowatches.com

Seiko Prospex 1959 Alpinist Modern Re-interpretation

Price: $3,725, seikowatches.com

Four sharp new GMTs

Seiko has set itself apart in recent years with its precise “Zaratsu” polishing technique and creative, uniquely Japanese approach to dial design. The four new dual timezone watches in the Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series are a showcase for both of these strengths, with a case and bracelet defined by a crisp profile and strong lines, and enhanced by alternating polished and brushed surfaces. The dial plays on this theme as well with its unique Asanoha motif, a traditional Japanese hemp leaf design that dates back over a thousand years.

Seiko Presage Sharp Edged GMT Series

Price: $1,795, seikowatches.com

A Prospex dedicated to a famous Japanese explorer

As Japan’s first dive watch, the Seiko Prospex was designed to stand up to some of the most extreme conditions on the planet, whether underwater or high above sea level. Seiko recruited Japanese mountaineer and adventurer Naomi Uemara to ensure it was up to the task, and early versions of the watch accompanied him on expeditions to the top of mount Everest and on a 12,500km solo dog-sled trek from Greenland to Alaska. The watch also accompanied Uemara on his tragic final expedition to Alaska’s Mt. McKinley, where he disappeared in 1976. This gives the Naomi Uemura 80th Anniversary Limited Edition, in honour of Uemara’s 80th birthday, a fascinating backstory to go along with its mountain-textured dial and matching sky blue bezel.

Prospex Naomi Uemura 80th Anniversary Limited Edition

Price: $4,025, seikowatches.com

A new colour combo for the Seiko 5 Sports

In terms of value for money, The Seiko 5 Sports is pretty much as good as it gets, with classic dive watch looks, a Seiko automatic movement and a great variety of dial, bracelet and bezel combinations. The addition of this new limited-edition anniversary model in Seiko’s signature blue and silvery white livery is just one more reason to love it.

Seiko 5 Sports: SRPG47

Price: $375, seikowatches.com

A limited-edition for gamers

With the notable exception of that Pac Man Timex, there aren’t many examples of watch company video game collabs, but Seiko’s new Death Stranding-themed Astron proves the idea definitely has potential. The SSH097 is a tribute to the popular game and a cool watch in its own right, thanks to sci-fi looks modelled after the main character’s spacesuit and mask, and a GPS-enabled Dual-Time 5X53 Caliber. Sadly, this one is available exclusively in Japan.