Retro reissue

It’s often said that strict adherence to function generates a special form of its own, and with Seiko diving watches, the case has never been truer. These watches punctuate the collections of serious collectors and adorn the wrists of holidaymakers to this day, and they will continue to do so for years to come as long as their no-nonsense, practical, performance-orientated design remains. One way to ensure this, of course, is to reimagine the classics, as Seiko has with the new SLA017. A modern-day reinterpretation of the 1965 model that put Seiko on the map (and under the water), and the watch of choice for the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition from 1966 to 1969, this year’s creation retains the chunky hour markers, luminous 12 o’clock dot, and narrow bezel of the original, with the addition of a caliber 8L35 movement and a further 50 metres of water resistance (now 200m). Offered with a silicone strap designed to sit as easily over a wetsuit as beneath a shirt cuff, the SLA017 will be hand-assembled and limited to just 2,000 pieces, to be sold from July 2017. So, the pressure is on if you wish to own a true diving great…

Photos: Seiko