At times it feels like the watch community’s spirits rise and fall according to Seiko’s release slate. The Japanese watchmaker never keeps us longing too much from month to month, but each new announcement seems just as exciting as the last. With a design language that lends itself perfectly to new dial colors or case materials, Seiko has always balanced uniqueness with restraint.
For its latest release, the brand plays on its Prospex 1968 Heritage Diver’s GMT with a deep black dial and a touch of gold on the bezel to give a slight luxurious lift to the sporty timepiece.
A Heritage Worth Revisiting
The 1968 Heritage collection stems from one of Seiko’s pivotal moments in dive watch history, with an original reference introducing a monobloc case construction and pushing depth ratings forward while housing an advanced automatic movement. It set benchmarks that still resonate today. The modern GMT iterations began rolling out in 2023, adding practical dual-timezone tracking to an already capable tool watch. Now, with this Seashadow variant, Seiko dials up the sophistication while keeping the specs dialed in.
Two-Tone Timepiece
Two-tone sports watches can go sideways quickly, but Seiko has the historical credibility to pull off this black-and-gold treatment. The glossy black dial pairs with gold-toned applied indices, hands, and bezel markings — a direct nod to vintage Seiko dive references. The execution avoids excess, though. There’s enough restraint here that the 24-hour GMT hand rendered in gray keeps the dial legible rather than cluttered. Llikewise, the ceramic bezel insert adds both scratch resistance and a premium touch.
At 42mm across and 13.3mm thick, the hard-coated stainless steel case maintains that 300m of water resistance. The crown sits at four o’clock, a carryover from the Marinemaster design language that helps balance the watch visually. Inside, the in-house 6R54 automatic caliber provides 72 hours of power reserve and an independently adjustable GMT hand.
The Bracelet Upgrade
Here’s where this release stands out from its siblings: Seiko finally equipped the bracelet with a tool-free micro-adjustable clasp extension. The adjustment mechanism sits externally, which prioritizes function over seamless aesthetics, but for anyone who’s struggled with ill-fitting bracelets on dive watches, this addition is welcome.
Spec Sheet
Model: Prospex 1968 Heritage Diver’s GMT Seashadow (SPB534)
Case Material: Stainless steel with super-hard coating
Case Size: 42mm
Lug-to-Lug: 48.6mm
Case Thickness: 13.3mm
Movement: Seiko Caliber 6R54 automatic
Water Resistance: 300m
Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective coating
Strap: Three-row stainless steel bracelet with micro-adjustable clasp
Limited Edition: 500 pieces
Pricing & Availability
Limited to just 500 pieces for Europe, the Prospex 1968 Diver’s GMT Seashadow is priced at £1,600 (~€1,900), specifically through Seiko’s London Bond Street Boutique and select European channels.
Recap
Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s GMT Seashadow
Seiko’s new Prospex 1968 Heritage Diver GMT Seashadow brings a classy black-and-gold colorway to their capable travel diver, complete with a 300-meter depth rating and finally a proper micro-adjustable bracelet clasp.
