INTRODUCING: The Seiko Automatic Divers Re-creation Limited Edition SLA025

Seiko’s venture into the dive watch world came hard and fast. Releasing their first dive watch in 1965, just three years later they upped the ante and introduced the Seiko 6159. A one-piece cased 300m rated diver, powered by a hi-beat movement that until then was being used only by the Grand Seikos of the time. Now, 50 years later – and revealed here at Baselworld 2018 – Seiko have re-created the original, with the brand new SLA025.

Vital statistics

With its black dial and bezel highlighted by polished golden hour markers, hands, and 60-minute scale, it has all the looks of the original. But, then, there’s also the framed date window at 3 o’clock and a familiar touch of red at the tip of the seconds hand that completes the package. Things are then taken one step further, by Zaratsu-polished lugs that define the sharp shape of a 44.8mm – and 15.7mm thick – monocoque steel case, with a screw-down crown. And, of course, there’s still a hi-beat calibre inside, racing away at 36,000 vibrations per hour – the modern Seiko 8L55. A slightly less
finished version of the Grand Seiko 9S85, the 8L55 has a power reserve of 55 hours, and was designed and crafted for divers by the skilled watchmakers of Seiko’s Shizuku-ishi Watch Studio in the northern Japanese city of Morioka. To finish it off, the SLA025 will then strap to the wrist with a “waffle style” black silicon rubber strap.

Initial thoughts

Seiko dive watch buzz is real, and I think for good reason. The original 6159 was produced for only two years and is near to impossible to find in decent condition on the vintage market. And now we’ve all been given another chance to own something as close to the original as you can get, but
with a few modern updates that bring it firmly into the 21st century.

The Seiko Automatic Divers Re-creation Limited Edition SLA025 pricing

The Seiko Automatic Divers Re-creation Limited Edition SLA025, limited to 1500 pieces, $8500.