Seiko recently presented the brand new SaveThe Ocean, a line created to protect the seas, to sensitize watch enthusiasts to this very delicate issue and to offer us special editions.
Seiko is one of the most famous brands for the history of its divers, probably among the most iconic on the market, especially if we compare the weight they have in terms of history and design. The SPB line in recent years has revolutionized the idea of vintage diver for the Japanese house and we have the opportunity to wear modern interpretations of the most important cases (and watches) for the Seiko underwater world.

Seiko's diver cases are infamous for their comfort and robustness, but in past years we had seen more abundant reinterpretations and now, instead, we have a choice that aims at the type of enthusiast who loves more compact watches. , 143,185,151 and so on have given way to a new face of Seiko, which is increasingly establishing itself in this segment. And to confirm this statement, we have the launch of several lines on these modern reinterpretations, such as Save The Ocean.
1965, the BabyMas turns indigo

Let's talk in chronological order talking about the SPB297, a reinterpretation of the infamous Seiko 62Mas, from 1965. This was the first Seiko diver, the diver who radically changed the diver world of this brand, which at times recalls the various Swiss skin divers of the 60s. , but which contains shapes, lines and details that later became the alphabet at Seiko for the diver world.
40,5mm in diameter, nothing else to say except that these dials do not perform at all in photography. In fact, I decided to shoot using mostly natural light in order to convey the depth that these colors can offer. The choice of colors, of the texture, makes this SPB297 immediately hypnotic, different, but at the same time balanced and versatile. This bright indigo blue is very beautiful, bright but not heavy or invasive, then combined with the inside of this dark blue / black brushed steel ring, it makes it a usable diver in any situation.
1968, the year of the revolutions, brought the crown to 4 o'clock.
Going to 1968, we have the reimagining of Seiko's hugely popular 6159-7000. First diver with crown at 4 o'clock, one-piece case and a line that has forever marked the shapes of Seiko divers. This SPB299 offers that design so loved by Seiko collectors, but which is able to captivate anyone who wears one. The sensations of comfort, refinement in terms of aesthetics and design given by this crown moved to 4 o'clock is unique in its kind.I think this is by far the most beautiful case of the three that we will see today in this article. Not that the others aren't as beautiful, but it's normal to have preferences, and I love being able to pass them on to you who read.

Here Seiko has decided to combine the ice blue dial with this dark blue ceramic bezel insert that creates an incredibly successful and perfect color brilliance. I believe that the choice to use darker bezel inserts immediately makes these watches more versatile and usable in everyday life. For me this is an aspect that should not be underestimated and these Save The Ocean can really offer that touch of "sparkling" without going to the "aesthetically extreme" product.
The texture is the same as the 297, but with a brighter and lighter color that gives a completely different effect in the sunlight. The shapes of this 42mm case make it immediately comfortable and easy to wear, a hallmark of many divers produced by Seiko.
1970, Baby Willard becomes albino
Finally, let's move on to 1970, the birth of what would later have been a cult for Seiko, namely the Apocalypse Now. To date, with the re-edition we have 42,7mm, we have a sort of Baby Apocalypse since, as already written in this article, these speakers have been redesigned in smaller and more versatile dimensions.

n this Save The Ocean version, the reference SPB301, offers the same technical and construction specifications as the other two models, but also differs in the material chosen for the ferrule insert. Here we have a light blue aluminum, with this very interesting circular motif that creates a lot of three-dimensionality even on this component which is generally more “flat and simple” in the finish. Here we have a dial that in certain perspectives resembles some well-known watches of the Grand Seiko brand. This choice of creating an albino dial is suggestive, it immediately makes a watch that falls much more into the strings of today's Turtle cases particular and particular. Here too we have a texture reminiscent of glaciers and cold, but combined with a bright white that makes this SPB301 the most particular of the three seen today.

Once on the wrist, being the heir to the Apocalypse Now case, but redesigned, it offers ergonomics unlike any other type of watch on the market. Only the Turtle comes close, but having these crown protectors like its ancestor, in a smaller size, it has the presence on the wrist of a traditional 41mm watch.
The aspect that therefore unites these new re-editions is the comfort, versatility and the bond that is created with the past of the brand, without however losing sight of the idea of the Save The Ocean line that aims at the future, at bringing many to such an important and delicate issue.
Available from June 2022.
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