Following on from Seiko’s latest Prospex collection release for 2023 is another limited edition Prospex timepiece. This time as a tribute timepiece to Naomi Uemura, who wore a 1970 diver’s watch during her expeditions in the arctic regions between 1974 and 1976.
Seiko’s first diver’s timepiece was introduced in 1965. Five years after this, the brand introduced a new diver’s timepiece that had a flowing case design and asymmetrical extension, which protected the crown at the four o’clock position. The watch had a solid construction, and with its durability, 150m water resistance, and easy-to-read dial with large hour indices with SuperlumiNova, it made for the perfect companion during expeditions and adventures. A timepiece that Naomi Uemura regarded highly enough to take with her on her expeditions.
Naomi Uemura was only a university student when he undertook his first mountain climb. At the age of 29, he had already climbed Mont Blanc, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and Mt Aconcagua. In 1970, Naomi Uemura achieved the extraordinary feat of becoming the first Japanese mountaineer to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. If this wasn’t enough, he then created history by climbing Mt. McKinley (Alaska’s Denail) to become the first mountaineer in the world to reach the summits of all these five peaks.
It’s simply no wonder then that Seiko wants to dedicate this latest Prospex to Naomi Uemura. The 1970s watch that Naomi Uemura has been redone as a modern re-interpretation, with the dial depicting Mont Blanc, the first peak he conquered. Although hints of the 1970s design can be seen, this watch has been thoroughly modernised.
The 44mm stainless steel case features a black and blue uni-directional bezel which evokes the blue shadows that surround Mont Blanc. The screwed-in crown is also blue to match the side profile of the bezel nicely. The sides of the case are polished, and to complete the look is a five-row steel bracelet, which creates a sharp modern profile.
Seiko has given the dial a textured look, with an image of the silhouette and contours of Mont Blanc shown on the centre of the dial. Pressing and etching techniques were carried out on the image so that it gives it depth to bring the 4 807m peak to life. The view of which Mont Blanc is shown is at the same angle at which Naomi Uemura began his ascent. The date window is also neatly tucked away between the 4 and 5 o’clock hour indices, which allows the full 12-hour markers to be seen. The markers and hands have all been given a large amount of Lumibrite coating so that legibility in the dark is crystal clear.
The movement used by Seiko for this limited edition piece is the Calibre 8L35. Seiko states that the movement is “developed especially for diver’s watches and hand-assembled by Seiko’s most skilled craftsmen and women. The calibre 8L35 gives out a decent power reserve of approximately 50 hours.
This latest Seiko Prospex Naomi Uemura limited edition is presented in a special box that has engraved one of the mountaineer’s famous sayings “When one dream is realised, other dreams will follow”. The timepiece is limited to 500 pieces and can be bought from Seiko Boutiques or select retailers worldwide in May.
Reference: SLA069
Specification:
- Case: 44mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel case
- Dial: Textured white dial with an image of Mont Blanc
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: 20 Bar (200m)
- Movement: Automatic Calibre 8L35
- Power reserve: 50 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: Stainless Steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release
