Author Archives: Timmy Tan

Seiko Prospex PADI Special Edition Kinetic GMT Diver’s SUN065: Join the movement

by
Seiko Prospex PADI Special Edition Kinetic GMT Diver’s SUN065. This special edition Prospex was made to commemorate Seiko’s partnership and support of PADI, its “Project Aware” in particular. The Kinetic GMT Diver’s SUN065 is powered by the Calibre 5M85 automatic movement and it features a two-case construction. The case has a diameter of 47.5mm and is 14.1mm thick. It comes with a silicone strap. Priced at EUR630. Photo: © Seiko.

Seiko Prospex PADI Special Edition Kinetic GMT Diver’s SUN065. This special edition Seiko Prospex was made to commemorate Seiko’s partnership and support of PADI, its “Project Aware” in particular. The Kinetic GMT Diver’s SUN065 is powered by the Calibre 5M85 automatic movement and it features a two-case construction. The case has a diameter of 47.5mm and is 14.1mm thick. It comes with a silicone strap. Priced at EUR630. Photo: © Seiko.

In March 2016, Seiko announced its support and partnership with PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors), reputed to be the world’s most trusted scuba diving training organization with a 50-year history, having been founded in 1966 by two American diving enthusiasts, John Cronin and Ralph Erickson.

Just a year before (PADI was established) in 1965, Seiko had launched the 150M Diver, the brand’s very first diver’s watch. The Seiko 150M Diver became the very first diver’s watch to be made in Japan.

A key highlight of the Seiko-PADI partnership is the aim of marine conservation, the support of “Project Aware” in particular, a global movement calling on scuba divers in more than 180 countries to protect the oceans of the world.

Speaking of movement, the second Seiko Prospex watch that is associated with the partnership is the Kinetic GMT Diver’s SUN065. Its calibre, the Calibre 5M85 is powered by motions of the wearer and its power reserve can last around six months.

The Seiko Prospex PADI Special Edition Kinetic GMT Diver’s SUN065 has a two-layer case construction that is similar to the brand’s famed 1975 diver’s watch.

The Seiko Prospex Kinetic GMT Diver SUN065 also features the second time zone indicator and is water-resistant to 200 metres. What would be of interest to PADI members and Seiko fans is the PADI font logo on the dial of this highly robust diving watch.

Project Aware is not just a movement for scuba divers, it should also be a movement everyone supports and participates in simply because clean, healthy oceans are vital for the very survival of humankind.

Another related article on timewerke.com that may be of interest:
i.Seiko Prospex PADI Special Edition Automatic Diver’s SRPA21: A taste for the red and blue

Seiko Prospex PADI Special Edition Automatic Diver’s SRPA21: A taste for the red and blue

by
The Seiko Prospex PADI Special Edition Automatic Diver’s SRPA21 was made to commemorate the brand’s partnership with PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors). Its 45mm diameter case in stainless steel houses the Calibre 4R36 automatic movement and is water-resistant to 200 metres. Recommended retail price: EUR430. Photo: © Seiko

The Seiko Prospex PADI Special Edition Automatic Diver’s SRPA21 was made to commemorate the brand’s partnership with PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors). Its 45mm diameter case in stainless steel houses the Calibre 4R36 automatic movement and is water-resistant to 200 metres. Recommended retail price: EUR430 / SGD667.70. Photo: © Seiko

Seiko’s diving watches are not only affordable but are also highly reliable and robust. It is therefore a great joy to also note that the brand supports PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors), the world’s largest scuba diving organization with the highest number of recreational diving memberships.

PADI is a known name to the diving world just as Seiko is to the watch industry. There are more than 6,300 dive centres and over 136,000 qualified PADI professional diving instructors worldwide. What’s more, some 24 million certifications have been issued by PADI.

What Seiko supports in particular, is PADI’s “Project Aware” initiative calling on scuba divers to protect the world’s oceans, one dive at a time. With Project Aware, the thousands of divers in more than 180 countries are tasked to work together to achieve clean and healthy oceans.

Seiko’s very first diver’s watch was launched in 1965. PADI, as noted by Seiko, was founded a few months later by “… a strange coincidence” to raise diving training standards.

PADI was founded in 1966 by John Cronin, originally a NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) instructor, and Ralph Erickson.

What is an even greater joy is that Seiko has launched two Prospex PADI Special Editions, one of which is the Prospex PADI Special Edition Automatic Diver’s SRPA21, to commemorate the partnership with PADI.

The Prospex PADI Special Edition Automatic Diver’s SRPA21 is distinguished by the red and blue bezel which most will call the colours of “Pepsi Cola”. The case and dial design of the SRPA21 is inspired by a classic 1970s Seiko diver’s watch of the 1970s that was water-resistant to 150 metres.

What’s more, the dial carries the PADI font symbol. As a self-confessed collector with a weakness for branded and well-placed logos on watch dials, the Seiko Prospex PADI Special Edition Automatic Diver’s SRPA21 is definitely well worth watching out for.

Another related article on timewerke.com that may be of interest:
i. Seiko Prospex PADI Special Edition Kinetic GMT Diver’s SUN065: Join the movement