The Seiko SLA069 Naomi Uemura pays homage to Japan’s most famed explorer
Borna Bošnjak- Introducing the Seiko SLA069 Naomi Uemura Limited Edition, with cues of glacial colours
- Inspired by the conquests of one of Japan’s best-known explorers
- Powered by a GS-derived automatic movement, the Caliber 8L35
Naomi Uemura was a man of focus, commitment and sheer will. He was the first person to solo-climb Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, and accompanied by a Seiko ref. 6105, better known as the Captain Willard, became the first person to reach the North Pole alone. Not just a conqueror of the cold, he also conquered the Amazon, becoming the first person to raft it alone – a jungle setting more familiar to his ref. 6105 of Apocalypse Now fame. After the 2021 release of the SLA049 which we covered here, the Japanese brand once again pays tribute to the intrepid explorer with the Seiko SLA069 Naomi Uemura Limited Edition.
A further departure from the original Willard, the SLA069’s dial depicts Mont Blanc, the first of the five major peaks that Uemura summitted. Inspired by the mountain’s rock-covered, snowy surfaces and the bluey shades it casts on its surroundings, the dark ceramic bezel insert and blue-tinted bezel and crown echo the scenes of the mountain. Seiko explains that different pressing and etching techniques were applied to the dial, while Mont Blanc’s orientation mimics the one that Uemura would’ve seen at the foot of the mountain, before beginning his climb. The square indices pair well with the wide fencepost hands, with the only pop of colour appearing at the tip of the paddle seconds hand.
The case is classic Willard, with a rounded cushion shape featuring distinct polished sides and wide, flat upper surfaces that are finely brushed. The crown is guarded and in its expected 4 o’clock position, the overall case dimensions measuring in at 44mm in diameter and 13mm in height. With a super-hard coating to the stainless steel, it’ll be highly scratch-resistant, while the domed sapphire crystal has anti-reflective coating on its underside, meaning the coating won’t be scratched.
Rather than the tropic-style strap of the original 6105, the SLA069 sports a three-link stainless-steel bracelet, dressed up by polished mid-link flanks – an unusual choice for such a distinctly sporty watch. It’s finished with a triple-folding clasp and a wet suit extension.
Descending from the Grand Seiko 9S55 calibre, the 8L35 is developed for dive watches and hand-assembled at the Morioka Seiko Instruments plant. It beats at 28,800 vph for up to 50 hours and has some pleasant decoration, though it’s clearly differentiated from its GS counterpart.
Seiko SLA069 Naomi Uemura Limited Edition pricing and availability:
The Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation The Naomi Uemura Limited Edition is available now as a limited edition of 500 pieces. Price A$4,550
| Brand | Seiko |
| Model | Prospex 1970 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation The Naomi Uemura Limited Edition |
| Reference Number | SLA069 |
| Case Dimensions | 44mm (D) x 13mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres |
| Dial | Mont Blanc relief on white textured background |
| Crystal(s) | Domed sapphire with AR under-coating |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet with triple-folding clasp |
| Movement | Seiko Caliber 8L35, in-house, 28,800 vph |
| Power Reserve | 50 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Now, limited to 500 pieces |
| Price | A$4,550 |