Seiko Goes Octagonal with These Surely Divisive Prospex Divers

You often have to look rather closely at a new Seiko watch — or compare it side-by-side with a similar model — to see what changes the Japanese watchmaker has made to its new releases. However, Seiko is now shaking things up quite a bit with an eyebrow-raising, perhaps divisive octagonal bezel design for its new Prospex Diver range.

Still Its Own Watch

Redolent of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, G-SHOCK 2100 “CasiOak,” or even Seiko’s own titanium Astron SSJ013, the trio of new Prospex watches — SPB481, SPB483, and SPB485 — goes a bit softer around the edges. The eight-sided bezels aren’t very sharp-edged, which will either appeal to you or make you scratch your head. Sporting a classic 60-minute diving scale, these are also glossy metallic inserts rather than ceramic, but they do enough for themselves to stand out from the pack.

The dials here are very much in line with your standard Seiko diver. Opting for stick hour markers rather than round ones, the octagonal Prospex sports an Omega Seamaster-style wave design across the face in either beige (SPB481), dark blue (SPB483), or coffee brown (SPB485). These each get their own bezel color as well: black, matching blue, or copper, respectively. And there’s a small date window at 4:30 as well.

While I love the monochrome feel of the blue SPB483, I can’t help but be drawn to the vintage styling of the brown with the copper bezel, reminiscent of old dive dress helmets. The rounded, almost obfuscated octagonal shape of the bezel lends itself to the clunkier shape of those old helmets. While the blue and beige dials get steel-lined handsets, the SPB485 gets copper accenting to match the bezel.

Some Other Basics

All three timepieces carry the same case design, which is 41.3mm across, 12.8mm thick, and made from stainless steel that alternates between brushing and polishing. You’ll notice the crown guards on the right side that help protect the 300m of water resistance. Powering the watch is a Seiko Caliber 6R55 automatic movement with 70 hours of power reserve and a hacking seconds function.

(As we’ve seen with most other Seiko’s Prospex Diver models, the movement is hidden underneath a solid caseback emblazoned with the Tsunami (Big Wave) medallion. This is actually to indicate a watch of at least 200m of water resistance, which this one surpasses, as it’s rated at 300m. That caseback covers the Seiko Calibre 6R55, running at a rate of 21,600vph and providing a power reserve of no less than 70 hours. Next to the hours, minutes and hacking seconds, it also indicates the date. Lastly, the watches are given the standard three-link stainless steel bracelets you can see on other Seiko watches.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

Not limited in edition size, the octagonal Prospex Divers are expected to drop this November at a $1,100 sticker price. Head over to Seiko’s website to check them out for yourself.

Recap

Seiko Octagonal Prospex Divers

Seiko adds controversial octagonal bezels to its Prospex Divers with this trio of watches.

Learn More: Seiko