Seiko is no stranger to reissuing its past models, whether it’s the more well-known or the slightly obscure. This is especially true for the Japanese brand’s timepieces from the 1960s, when it saw several important firsts, both for the country’s industry and the brand itself, including its first world timer and first diver. In 1968, Seiko also debuted its first-ever GMT watch with a rotating bezel, the 6117 Navigator Timer, allowing the wearer to easily track a secondary time zone with a quick turn. Now, the company has reissued the watch as part of its Prospex Land Series.
Just like the original, the new Prospex GMT watch, ref. SPB411, sports a 38.5mm stainless steel case with 45.2mm in length. A newer release may see the diameter a bit larger to match modern proportions. Also returning is the 4 o’clock crown, the barrel-shaped case with brushed surfaces protected by Super-Hard coating, 100m of water resistance, and, obviously, the 24-hour rotating bezel with engraved numerals filled in black and a lumed pip up top. The crown is used to move the period-correct red GMT hand, which can be adjusted independently from the rest of the hands and is notably shorter than the ones on most modern GMTs.
From an aesthetic standpoint, there’s no way this timepiece isn’t inspired by the past. Adorned with a definitely-vintage 5-link steel bracelet, the office-style GMT is given a gray sunray-brushed dial with textured applied hour markers, surrounded by a minute scale. It’s all powered by Seiko’s in-house Caliber 6R54 automatic movement with 72 hours of power reserve and a date window function.
If you’re interested in this new Navigator Timer reissue, the Prospex Land Series GMT SPB411 will drop in November from Seiko’s website. It will be limited in edition to just 4,000 pieces and priced at $1,500.
