Seiko just lately debuted an emerald inexperienced PADI model of certainly one of its greatest iterations of the fashionable 62MAS.
The Prospex SPB501 Diver’s Watch 1965 Heritage PADI Particular Version shares the identical chrome steel case as different SPB501 fashions, which usually price $1,300 and measure 40 mm in diameter by 13 mm in thickness, and 46.4 mm lug-to-lug.
With this diver’s watch, you get a screw-down crown, a stable screw-in caseback, a barely domed sapphire crystal, an emerald inexperienced aluminum insert with 60-minute count-up dive markings, and a depth score of 300 meters.
Matching the emerald inexperienced aluminum bezel insert is an emerald inexperienced dial with a particular wave and sunburst motif, that’s enticing and stamped with the “PADI” brand at 6 o’clock, though this watch carries a $350 premium over the usual black or blue dial/bezel variations.
Moreover, you obtain a one-piece recycled Ocean plastics NATO-style strap, in emerald inexperienced, that’s becoming for a diver’s watch.
Beneath the dial is Seiko’s upscale 24-jewel in-house automated caliber 6R55 motion, which beats at 3Hz, and has a 72-hour energy reserve (denoted by “3 Days” on the dial). At -15/+25 seconds per day, that is nowhere close to chronometer ranges of accuracy (a chronometer is -4/+6 seconds per day or higher); nevertheless, throughout the Seiko world, and Japanese calibers typically, that is higher than base actions are usually adjusted to. You may manually wind the rotor, and it does have hacking seconds to set the time extra precisely, however don’t anticipate Swiss-level timing precision.
Beneficially, the watch is supplied with a brand new, thinner bracelet that incorporates a deployant clasp that may be adjusted in six increments, every measuring about 2.5 mm, for a complete vary of 15 mm. That is nice for diving or on a regular basis life.
The Seiko Prospex PADI Version (Ref. SPB501JI) is an interesting watch, in a novel shade, with PADI co-branding, and a particular recycled NATO strap; nevertheless, contemplating the usual fashions are $350 much less, it makes you surprise if the particular version is well worth the $1,650 price ticket.
Images by Seiko.
