Seiko built its first diver all the way back in 1965. PADI showed up the very next year, and has since handed out north of 30 million certifications. The two have been making watches together for a decade now, so for PADI’s 60th birthday in 2026, Seiko reached for the obvious canvas: the Turtle, its most accessible dive icon. The result is the Prospex HBB002, a King Turtle soaked in PADI’s house colors.
A Dial Borrowed From a Logo
The whole color story comes straight off PADI’s anniversary logo, a red diver set against a blue globe. Seiko translated that into an electric sunburst blue dial with a faint globe motif spread across the surface.
Red turns up sparingly, on the seconds hand and the “Diver’s 200m” text at six o’clock. It’s a pretty restrained release for a branded anniversary piece, but we’re certainly not mad at it.
Still Very Much a King Turtle
Underneath the paint job, nothing has moved. You get the 45mm stainless cushion case, the signature 4 o’clock crown, and the rounded shape that has always worn easier than that number suggests.
The “King” upgrades are the ones worth having: a blue ceramic bezel insert in place of aluminum, and a sapphire crystal with AR coating and a day-date cyclops instead of Hardlex. Inside is the workhorse 4R36 automatic, good for 41 hours of reserve and 200 meters of water resistance.
Two Straps for the Price of One
The HBB002 ships on the usual three-row steel bracelet with a diver’s extension, plus a black silicone strap stamped with the full “Professional Association of Diving Instructors” name across the underside. A nice touch for anyone who actually plans to get it wet.
Now, about that “limited edition.” Seiko is making 8,000 of them, a number that makes the phrase feel optimistic.
Spec Sheet
Model: Seiko Prospex Diver’s Watch PADI 60th Anniversary
Reference: HBB002
Case Size: 45mm
Lug-to-Lug: 47.7mm
Thickness: 13.2mm
Case Material: Stainless steel with blue ceramic bezel insert
Crystal: Sapphire with AR coating and day-date magnifier
Movement: Seiko 4R36 automatic (21,600 vph, 24 jewels)
Power Reserve: 41 hours
Water Resistance: 200m
Band: Stainless steel bracelet plus PADI-printed silicone strap
Limited Edition: Yes, 8,000 pieces
Pricing & Availability
The Seiko Prospex PADI 60th Anniversary HBB002 lands in July 2026, priced at $750 (€750) and capped at 8,000 pieces worldwide.
Recap
Seiko Prospex PADI 60th Anniversary HBB002 King Turtle
Seiko dunks its accessible King Turtle in PADI’s blue-and-red livery for the diving org’s 60th, ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal included. Limited to 8,000, which for Seiko is basically a soft launch.
