Finding The Best Seiko Divers In The Brand’s Prospex Collection

About a week ago, I wrote an article about two classic Seiko divers. For many watch fans, including the majority of the Fratello team, Seiko divers hold a special place in their collections. If it wasn’t your first mechanical watch, it was often one of the first that helped grow your love for watches. After highlighting two classics last week, this week it’s time to look at the current Seiko Prospex collection. Over the past few years, quite a lot has changed in Seiko’s popular dive watch line. We have seen quite a few watches come and go. Time to see where the Japanese brand is at currently, and highlight some of our favorites.

I was actually triggered to write this article by last week’s piece on the Sumo. When I checked the price of the current Seiko Prospex Sumo, I scrolled through the collection and asked myself which Seiko Prospex would be at the top of my favorites list. Only a few years ago, that answer was pretty simple. The classic Marinemaster was always the Seiko diver to have. But nowadays, that answer is not that simple. First, the Marinemaster name is not tied to just one watch. On top of that, the Prospex collection is no longer just a series of dive watches. Additionally, we have seen quite a few models come and go over time. Lastly, there is always a number of limited-edition pieces in the collection that come and go. More than enough reason to take a closer look at the current Seiko Prospex collection.

Entry-level means an updated version of a trusted Seiko diver

One important point to note is that the Seiko collection varies by country. A quick comparison of the Dutch and German collections reveals that the latter is far more extensive. So please do check your local Seiko Prospex collection for the currently available models. For this overview, we drew on several European collections to provide an idea. With that out of the way, let’s start with the most affordable Seiko Prospex models. We all know that prices for the Prospex models have gone up over time, but I want to keep that discussion out of this overview. Currently, you can buy a Seiko Prospex watch starting at €550, but that will get you the solar-powered SNE595 and 597. But if you spend a little more, €650 will buy you the updated Seiko Samurai that was introduced in 2024.

It introduced a smaller 41.7 × 12.3mm case that still has the same characteristic angular lines the Samurai is known for. But the slightly curvier case profile and the updated dial design with the pentagonal markers make the new Samurai more elegant than its bigger brother. The Samurai is powered by the Seiko caliber 4R35, which features a date at 4:30 and has proven to be a reliable caliber for many affordable Seiko watches. Currently, you can choose between the red SPRL11, the black SRPL13, the blue SRPL51, and the green SRPL53. It is a solid line-up of Seiko’s entry-level Prospex divers.

The classics are still available as well

If you are somewhat more nostalgic, Seiko also still offers the special Save The Ocean version of the classic Samurai. This Seiko Prospex SRPE33 has a bigger 43.8 × 14mm case and was introduced five years ago to support a good cause. Some markets also still offer the special SRPJ93 PADI Edition from 2023 that has the same €660 price tag as the Save The Ocean version. When it comes to the bigger entry-level Seiko Prospex divers, we have a huge soft spot for the famous Turtle. The brand currently has two special PADI editions in the collection. The first is the SRPK01, which was part of the same trio of PADI divers created in partnership with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors in 2023, along with the Samurai.

The second Turtle is the recently released PADI 60th Anniversary Limited Edition HBB002. I had a chance to try it, and I was immediately reminded of what I love about the classic Turtle. I own the SRPA21 from the original PADI Editions unveiled in 2026. It’s a watch that I don’t wear as much as I used to, but I still love it for sentimental reasons. Funnily enough, it is still available in some markets (SRPE99) for €470 along with the standard black Turtle SRPE93 for €440. It makes these classics the most affordable Seiko Prospex divers. If you like a big diver, it is a great option. Speaking of big divers, the Seiko Sumo is another solid option. The black SPB101 and the green SPB103 are certainly worth considering at €870 each.

The discontinued Seiko Prospex SPB317

In the middle, you have the most options

A quick couple of observations before we move on. First, the Slim Turtle, King Turtle, and the Captain Willard models are no longer part of the collection. It seems a bit strange considering their historical relevance and overall popularity. The Seiko SPB317 was a very popular option that Fratello’s Daan owned. It even reached the finals of the Seiko World Cup in 2023, where it lost to the almighty Marinemaster. Another observation is that the current Sumo is at the lower end of Seiko’s Prospex collection. If we go back 7-8 years, the Sumo was definitely part of the mid-tier divers. In a world of Samurai, Monsters, and Turtles, the Sumo was always a step up in quality. In the current collection, The Sumo is now part of the select group of affordable divers under €1,000.

That shift in Sumo positioning occurred six years ago, when Seiko introduced the popular SPB143, 145, 147, and 149 in 2020. Especially the SPB143 became super popular and was the Seiko diver to have for a few years after that, which cost €1,250 in 2020. The updated version of that series is still part of the current collection. You can choose the standard black SPB451 or the blue SPB453, both priced at €1,400.

On top of that, Seiko has expanded the lineup with a special Save The Ocean SPB545 and a PADI Edition SPB501. Both are slightly more expensive than the standard models at €1,600 and €1,750, respectively, due to their special dials. And just last week, Seiko also unveiled the special European Limited Edition HBC010, which was very well received and costs €1,650. This series of modern reinterpretations of the classic 1965 diver or 62 MAS is the heart of the current Prospex collection.

Discontinued or not…?

Placed slightly below is a series I quite enjoy, but which no longer appears on the Dutch website. Though in Germany, France, and Spain, it is still very much part of the collection. In late 2024, Seiko introduced the Seiko Prospex SPB481, SPB483, and SPB485 divers with octagonal bezels. Back then, it represented something completely different for Seiko, and it still stands out as much as it did. The three watches feature a 41.3mm case that is 12.5mm thick and measures 48mm from lug to lug.

With those dimensions, it hits the sweet spot for me in terms of size. Add the quirky shape, and I was intrigued by these new models when I first saw them. On top of that, the watches are powered by Seiko’s 6R55 caliber that also powers the modern reinterpretations of the classic 1965 diver we just discussed. At €1,200, this is a great series of modern dive watches, but you have to like the design that feels somewhat quirky for Seiko divers. I do, and I sometimes still think about how much I loved it because it is so different.

The best GMT divers under €2,000?

Back in 2023, Seiko introduced the first mechanical GMT divers with the SPB381, SPB383, and SPB385. As I explained in my hands-on review, there are three GMT versions of the 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation. Seiko did a great job integrating the GMT function into a classic Seiko diver. Last year, the brand extended the collection with two new models. But these new models also upped the specs.

The main difference was an increase in their water resistance rating, from 200 meters to 300 meters. It made the case a smidge thicker, but the looks and the powertrain are still the same. The first of the new models was the special 60th Anniversary Edition SPB519, followed by the SPB534 Seashadow, a limited model for the European market. Both are still available in some markets. Currently, the regular models are the green HBC001 and the black HBC002 that retail at €1,900. What I love about these two watches is their classic Marinemaster 300 look with the addition of a GMT function, and it’s great to see that they are still part of the brand’s collection.

The Seiko Prospex Marinemaster series

From there on out, we move to the Marinemaster series, but not before we make a couple more observations. The main one is that there is currently no regular 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation among the affordable options. In 2018, Seiko introduced the affordable 44mm Baby Marinemaster that quickly became popular with Seiko fans. Two years later, the brand updated the model to make it even better. It made the SPB185 and the SPB187 favorites of some of the Fratello writers. The smaller 42mm size, combined with an updated design, offered a great option for people looking for a modern version of the classic 6159 at €1,250. Currently, Seiko doesn’t offer a similar option that is not a Marinemaster, which is a shame. Especially considering the mid-tier series of models based on the 1965 Diver, you would think that a 1968 Diver would also be a regular in the Prospex collection.

Seiko Marinemaster HBF001

But if you want one, you have to resort to the Marinemaster series. It is Seiko’s high-end series of professional divers. As already mentioned, the Marinemaster name was always tied to one specific watch, which has become an absolute fan favorite. The first-generation Marinemaster SBDX001 won our Seiko World Cup and is considered a classic. If you are looking for the modern equivalent, Seiko currently offers the Marinemaster HBF001, unveiled earlier this year, along with the colorful limited-edition HBF002, which is also still available.

Compared to their predecessors, the new models come with an updated caliber and an improved bracelet featuring a clasp with a toolless micro-adjust system. Lastly, the bezel insert is now ceramic and features an updated font. The HBF001 is available for €3,800, while the HBF002 is a limited-edition model at €4,100. Currently, they are Seiko’s top-of-the-range divers.

The Marinemaster series based on the 1965 Diver

But that is not where it ends. As most of you will know, Seiko also introduced a series of Marinemaster models based on the 1965 Diver, also known as the 62MAS. The series was first introduced in 2023 with the unveiling of the SJE097, SJE099, and SJE101. For most people, it was a huge surprise to see the Marinemaster name on anything other than a dive watch based on the 1968 Diver or 6159, as most fans know it. A year later, the brand added the SJE117 and SJE119, which introduced new colors.

The big difference between the two Marinemaster series, besides their looks, is also their size. The 1968 Diver-based series is substantially larger, at 42.6mm in diameter and 14.1mm thick. The smaller 1965 Diver-based series is 39.5mm in diameter and 12.3mm thick. It makes the latter series a better fit for a wider range of wrist sizes, and it’s slightly more affordable at €3,400. It makes for a series of perfect vintage-inspired daily wearers, whereas the larger Marinemaster models have a more specific toolwatch vibe of a hardcore dive watch.

Final thoughts on the current Seiko Prospex dive watch collection

A last observation is that the Tunas have quietly disappeared from the collection in most markets. Some countries still offer the Darth Tuna IV that Gerard reviewed in 2020. But this beast of a dive watch is pretty much the only Tuna model that you could get your hands on through official retailers. While it is easy to understand that the Tuna does not have the greatest commercial appeal for Seiko, it is still a legendary series of professional divers that remains super popular among Seiko fans.

But that’s also where some questions arise from looking at the current Seiko Prospex divers. You would expect Seiko to build its collection on a steady series of offerings inspired by the brand’s great classics. While many of the offerings are inspired by the brand’s classics, they are not present on all price levels. If you want a modern reinterpretation of the 1968, your only option is the Marinemaster. The more affordable option is a GMT version, which is an inherently different watch. In the past, Seiko would offer a more affordable version of that great classic.

Building romance is not always the road to success

When it comes to entry-level options, we sometimes miss the romance of Seiko’s rich history in dive watches. With the current Samurai, you get a modern Seiko diver, and the solar-powered options are great practical watches, but also don’t have the appeal of the classics. The classic Turtle is often only available as a limited edition, which instantly makes it an acquired taste. What we sometimes miss is the classic charm of the Captain Willards and their smaller counterparts, like Daan’s Slim Turtle.

While they were part of the collection only a few years ago, they have silently disappeared, leaving somewhat of an historical gap for fans of the affordable classics. Then again, Seiko knows best what works commercially, and it is not a strange idea that romance doesn’t necessarily sell. We have seen in the past with numerous brands that modern versions of the classics do build romance, but do not bring in the sales numbers.

What it leaves us with is a Seiko Prospex collection that is constantly revolving. Currently, it feels inherently different from what it was only a few years ago. And that cycle repeats itself every few years. In those quick changes, it makes sense that Seiko fans sometimes have questions about what happens to the modern versions of their beloved classics. On top of that, with the constant changes and updates, it’s sometimes hard to keep up. It feels as if, if you blink, you might miss an update here and there. These new releases also come with new prices, which sometimes makes you question where that leaves you.

In the end, the love for Seiko is strong

Then again, it also opens the door to many new watches that surprise us, like the octagonal SPB481, SPB483, and SPB485. Lastly, the current Marinemaster is far more extensive, with two model series available in a range of colors and a modern-day price tag. Clearly, there has been a strong focus on the Marinemaster, which positions the Prospex range higher in the watch landscape. But we hope Seiko will always offer that great watch, built on the brand’s rich history, to fans at any price point. That is what made Seiko such a widely loved brand with watch fans all over the world. We are among those big fans and can’t wait to see what is next. As to what our favorite current Seiko Prospex divers are? Keep an eye out for tomorrow’s Top 5 list, where we unveil our favorites,