Seiko Prospex LANDMASTER 30th Anniversary Limited Edition SLA071J1 - A Disappointment, A Review (plus Video)

Seiko has loads of series. One of the series that I follow closely is the Landmaster series, a range of watches that caters for adventurers. First introduced in 1993, the series has evolved in interesting ways (to be explained later). I was given the chance to have an exposure to the series when I got the SBDB005 back in 2013 and five years later, the SBEJ003 in 2018. Another 5 years rolled by before the SLA071 was introduced in 2023 which I quickly snapped up.

I must say that the SLA071 is not something that I expected after owning the previous two offerings under the Landmaster series. I sense that the designers in Seiko had a free rein in the design process which may or may not sit well with a number of enthusiasts. 

Personally, I am conflicted somewhat on how I truly feel about this watch. Although it has all the best offerings from Seiko, the combination is something that only a few people can appreciate. More about this later.

Seiko Prospex SLA033J1/SBDX031 Limited Edition 1970 Diver - Two Thumbs Up, A Review (plus Video)

The year is 1970. Two great things happened that year.

The first was the launch of the now iconic Seiko 6105-811X dive watch (either 6105-8110 or 6105-8119; both are exactly the same, the last digit in the reference number indicates in which market the watch was originally sold). The production run of the watch span from 1970 to 1977 and came in two minor variations. The early models from 1970 were labeled “WATER 150M PROOF” on the dial, and “WATERPROOF” on the case back. At some point later that year, they changed the text to “WATER 150M RESIST” with “WATER RESISTANT” on the back. This was due to a change in nomenclature by Seiko.

The second was my birth.....

The Recreation

At Baselworld 2019, Seiko recreated yet another famous dive watches after the SLA017J1 and the SLA025J1, with the SLA033J1. The SLA033J1 is a re-creation of the famous Seiko 6105-811X dive watch nicknamed “Captain Willard” (due to it being worn by Martin Sheen’s character, Captain Willard, in the Vietnam war movie Apocalypse Now) or more commonly known as the "Turtle" diver (due to its asymmetrical cushion-shaped case). This Prospex timepiece is assembled by hand in the Shizukuishi Watch Studio in northern Japan.

Seiko Gundam 40th Anniversary Limited Editions Prospex 1000m Marinemaster Professional Zaku II SLA029J1/SBDX027 (similar to SLA031J1/SBDX029) - Gundam Tuna, A Review (plus Video)

I have to be honest, I am not an anime fan. Although The Mobile Suit Gundam television series was launched when I was a kid (I was a nine year old then), it wasn't a series that local television companies in Malaysia (RTM and TV3) broadcast. As such, it was more than a decade later that the series was broadcasted in Malaysia hence the fan base is more junior in age compared to me. When it was announced that Seiko will be doing a collaboration with Gundam for its 40th Anniversary celebration, I wasn't that impressed.

As you know, I do have the SBDX011. When I compared the original Emperor Tuna against the collaborative Gundam Tuna, I started to get interested. There are a number of tweaks in the new Gundam Tuna that I recommended Seiko to consider changing when I first reviewed the SBDX011 years ago. Anyway, I am a sucker for unique stuff from Seiko and after considering the merit of getting it for the collection, I pulled the trigger.

Seiko Prospex Diver 300m Marinemaster SLA019J1 Deep Forest Limited Edition (or SBDX021) - Desirable as a Collectable, A Review (plus Video)

I finally able to complete the mechanical set of The 1968 Mechanical Divers 50th Anniversary Commemorative Collection by Seiko.

This year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1968 hi-beat diver model 6159-7001, the first diver’s watch with a hi-beat automatic calibre, Seiko introduced three modern divers that pay homage to this icon. Up to this point I was able to collect the first and third in the series; the limited edition Prospex Diver 300m Hi-Beat SLA025 (or SBEX007) with calibre 8L55 and the Prospex Diver 200m SPB077 (or SBDC061) with calibre 6R15. Today, I finally snared the second of the series, the limited edition Prospex Diver 300m 'Marinemaster' SLA019 (or SBDX021) Deep Forest with calibre 8L35. This watch is officially known as 'The 1968 Automatic Diver's Commemorative Limited Edition'.

Originally I wasn't looking at getting the SLA019 for the collection. My view then was that it was too similar to the SBDX001 300m Marinemaster which is already a member of the collection. However, after having laid my eyes on an actual piece recently, I was taken by beauty of the dial colour and the use of zirconia ceramic for the bezel. Couple with the sapphire crystal to protect the dial, this combination is something that I have been searching for a long time in a Seiko professional dive watch.  Unfortunately, this realisation only came to me in November 2018 when examples of this limited edition timepiece were already shipped to distributors in August 2018! The likelihood of getting one appears thin as rave reviews about the watch have already flooded the internet since it was presented to the public back in Baselworld 2018 which was held in March 2018.

The Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017J1 or SBDX019 (homage to the 1965 Seiko 62MAS Ref. 6217-8000/1 Diver) – A Legend and an Excellent Get-And-Go Watch for any Occasions, A Review (plus Video)

I must say the Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017J1 has been one of the most, if not the most exciting release from Seiko in my opinion. As an ardent Seiko fan, the 1965 Seiko 62MAS (autoMAtic Selfdater) Ref. 6217-8000/1 Diver was the definitive Japanese dive watch to which all dive watches from Seiko (or even from other brands) owes their genesis to. To date, the Seiko 62MAS is a collector’s timepiece that has the least likelihood of being traded away once it is in a collection. As such, this vintage is very rare in the wild for collectors to hunt down. Those available are generally not in mint condition and have a lifetime of abuse heaped on them. Despite needing a lot of restoration work (a major headache not many collectors are willing to stomach), the prices of the ‘relics’ are still pretty high.

Do note that quite a number of “Seiko 62MAS” out on sale with ‘reasonable’ prices are not originals but Frankenstein models with newer movements, dials, bezels, crystals, hands, and even crowns.

Seiko Prospex 300MM SBDX001 Marinemaster - In a league of its own, A Review

This is one of my grail watches. The Seiko Prospex 300MM SBDX001 Marinemaster as been touted as the most versatile dive watches that can rival the best the Swiss industry could muster. This watch is capable on land, sea and air in all situations such as casual or even formal functions.

This watch is the only Marinemaster watch that actually says "Marinemaster" on the watch. As this is a JDM (Japan Domestic Market) watch, you can only obtain it in Japan from official dealers. Nevertheless, if you cannot make it to Japan, you can still get one via online. For me, my source of JDM watches is www.higuchi-inc.com.

The Marinemaster uses a Seiko in-house 26 jewel calibre 8L35 self-winding movement that is the base movement for the higher end 9S55 calibre Grand Seiko. With manual wind and hacking second mechanisms, 28,800 vph, 50 hours power reserve, it is unadjusted, rhodium plated and has an accuracy rating by Seiko of +15 ~ -10 seconds per day. The 8L35 is one of Seiko's best automatic movements. Accuracy easily matches certified chronometer levels, and often exceeds them.

Seiko Marine Master Professional 1000m Automatic Diver SBDX011 - The Best Of Japan, A Review

Seiko has a number of notable offerings, Their professional watch series is one of the, if not the best, in the world. Under the Prospex sub-brand, these are purpose built tool watches.

In the last few days of 2013, I finally achieved one of my grails, the Seiko Marine Master Professional 1000m Automatic Diver SBDX011. Commonly known as the Tuna or Emperor Tuna or Darth Tuna or Hockey Puck, this is the flagship of the entire Seiko automatic divers' line.

Unfortunately, this watch is only available in Japan. But not to worry, my good supplier, Mr Katsu-san of www.higuchi-inc.com is ever ready to deliver. After just a few days, the familiar looking EMS box from Japan Post was on my desk.

Not a lot has been written about the SBDX011 even though it was released way back in April 2009. The reason is that it was destined only for the Japanese domestic market. Although Japanese horologists would provide the necessary write-up on this model, language barrier as well as the unavailability of the watch to be reviewed in depth outside Japan exacerbates the poor coverage on this model.