Honouring the famous Japanese explorer and his first five iconic climbs.
Most Seiko dive watches are worldwide and highly recognized in every country. However, if we have to mention one of the watch brand’s most distinct and important designs is, of course, the asymmetric cushion-shaped case that first appeared in 1970. This model is typically known by its “Captain Willard” nickname due to its appearance in the film Apocalypse Now. However, Seiko actually associates this iconic 1970 diver’s watch with Japanese adventurer Naomi Uemura, who wore this model while exploring the Artic region between 1947 and 1976.
Born in 1941, Naomi Uemura was the first Japanese mountaineer to summit Mt. Everest, Mont Blanc, Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Everest, and Denali. This latest Seiko Prospex 1970 Limited-Edition watch aims to commemorate his accomplishments and connection to this model’s rich history, and that is why the watchmaker brand decided to release a new Artic-themed premium version of its famous cushion case diver’s watch. This new watch SLA069 design features a crisp blue and white colour profile along with a dial that pays tribute to the first of the five peaks that Uemura successfully summited: Mont Blanc.
It’s important to highlight that this is not the first model dedicated to his achievements, as the Tribute to Naomi Uemura SLA049 and SLA051 were introduced back in 2021. These designs were inspired by the diver’s experience from 1970 when Naomi wore the designs. Now, Seiko returns to this theme with the Prospex 1970 Diver’s SLA069.
“Seiko introduces into the Prospex collection modern re-interpretations of three legendary diver’s watches from this period that draw their design inspiration from the glaciers that these pioneers saw and that shape the landscapes and seascapes of the Artic and Antarctic. Each one has a dial that evokes a different shape of glacial ice, from deep blue to white.” – From SEIKO.
The new Seiko Prospex 1970 limited-edition watch has got the familiar Turtle design of the previous models. The bezel and off-centred crown are blue, giving it a very distinct look. The metallic insert is finished in black to add yet more contrast against the blue and silver tones of the rest of the case.
Meanwhile, the snow-white dial is created with a unique texture and imagery with the silhouette of Mont Blanc Mountain. The details are so amazing that the applied numerals and sword-shaped hands are finished with LumiBrite. The date underneath is revealed by a window at 4:30.
Inside the case, there is the Caliber 8L35 automatic. “Developed especially for diver’s watches, the Caliber 8L35 is Seiko’s leading mechanical movement, crafted to the highest standards for performance and functional beauty. Every detail of its construction can be traced back to Seiko’s time-tested expertise in creating cutting-edge mechanical movements from the ground up.”
With a frequency of 28,800vph, the watch uses 28 jewels and has a running time of 50 hours, regulated to run within +15 to -10 seconds of deviation per day.
The new Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s Modern Re-Interpretation Naomi Uemura SLA069 is limited to 500 pieces and will be available from May 2023 onwards at Seiko Boutiques and selected retailers for EUR 3,000.
