The New Seiko Prospex Diver PADI Specials SPB501 & SRPL51

Since 1966, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors has evolved into one of the two world-leading and very trusted scuba diving organisations (the other being Scuba Schools International, or SSI). With thousands of certified diving centres spread around the world, PADI is a go-to name for everyone who wants to learn how to dive safely. Issuing over 27 million certifications in almost six decades of operations, it set the standard for the sport. Working together with Seiko since 2016, with numerous special edition dive watches as a result, PADi has also found its way onto a fair share of wrists. Expanding the collaboration once more, we get treated to two new models today, with the Prospex PADI SPB501 and Prospex PADI SRPL51. 

As mentioned, the PADI series goes back to 2016, with a cool ‘Pepsi’ coloured edition of the famous Turtle being introduced (alongside the Kinetic GMT Diver SUN065). Since then, we’ve seen numerous special editions donning the PADI logo, from the Monster to the (King) Samurai and Sumo sub-collections. Continuing this very fitting partnership, we now get another pairing of dive watches, using the Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver and revamped Samurai as a reference point.

Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver SPB501 PADI Special

First up is the range-topping PADI watch (so far, that is), which uses the higher-positioned Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver as a base. That means we’re dealing with a retro-inspired dive watch taking its cues from Icoinc 62Mas from 1965, hence the name. The case is in stainless steel and measures 40mm in width and 13mm in height, with a domed sapphire crystal on top and a solid caseback around the back. With a water-resistance of 300 meters, partially thanks to a screw-down crown, it’s more than adequate to accompany you on your leisurely or professional dives.

To change things up from the regular collection, as PADI special editions tend to do, Seiko adds a splash of colour to the bezel and dial. Both finished in emerald green, the dial is also decorated with the rippling surface of the ocean, as seen from below the water’s surface. The effect is subtle, yet striking. For the rest, it’s identical to previous editions of the Heritage Diver 1965 range with stamped/raised hour markers, central hour, minutes and seconds hands, and a date window between 4′ and 5′. The hands and markers have LumiBrite inserts, and the date number is aligned upright.

The SPB501 uses the Calibre 6R55, which beats at a rate of 21,600vph and has a lengthy power reserve of 72 hours. It’s fitted to a stainless steel three-link bracelet with a micro-adjustable folding clasp. Additionally, you also get a woven emerald green NATO-style strap made from upcycled fishing nets. The SPB501J1 retails for EUR 1,700, making it the most expensive PADI Special to date. However, it must be said that it delivers on a higher level than its predecessors.

Quick Facts – 40mm x 13mm – 46.4mm lug-to-lug – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – domed sapphire crystal – solid caseback – unidirectional rotating bezel with emerald green insert – screw-down crown – 300m water-resistant – emerald green dial with wave patterns – LumiBrite markers & hands – date window at 04:30 – Calibre 6R55, in-house – automatic winding – 21,600vph – 72h power reserve – hours, minutes, (hacking) seconds, date – three-link steel bracelet with micro-adjustable folding clasp – upcycled emerald green nylon NATO-style strap – EUR 1,700

Prospex Diver 200M Samurai SRPL51 PADI SPECIAL

Next up is the Prospex Diver 200M Samurai SRPL51 PADI Special, which falls in line with the SPB501 in terms of colour and decoration. This also gets an emerald green colour scheme with a wave-like textured effect on the dial. Further details are the typical Seiko Prospex logos, but also the PADI name just below the centre of the dial. The hands and markers follow suit with the regular Samurai collection, and are finished with LumiBrite inserts here too.

The case also follows the redesign of the Samurai introduced last year, with a 41.7mm by 12.3mm stainless steel case. The reduction in size with the revamp meant the lug-to-lug size dropped to 49.5mm. So it’s still a sizeable and edgy dive watch, but a lot more wearable than it used to be. The case has a unidirectional rotating bezel, a Hardlex crystal, a screw-down crown and a solid caseback. The water-resistance is rated at 200m, as its name suggests.

Inside we once more find Seiko’s Calibre 4R35, which is an automatic movement with a frequency of 21,600vph and a running time of 41 hours. It’s supplied with a three-link stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp that includes a diving extension but no “on the fly” micro-adjustability. The SRPL51J1 retails for a rather sensible EUR 670, which is only marginally more expensive than the standard Samurai collection on a bracelet

Quick Facts – 41.7mm x 12.3mm – 49.5mm lug-to-lug – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – undirectional bezel with emerald green insert – Hardlex crystal, solid caseback – screw-down crown – 200m water-resistant – emerald green dial with wave patterns – LumiBrite markers & hands – date window at 04:30 – Calibre 4R35, in-house – automatic winding – 21,600vph – 41h power reserve – hours, minutes, (hacking) seconds, date – three-link steel bracelet with folding clasp – EUR 670

For more information about the new PADI Specials SPB501 and SRPL51, please visit SeikoWatches.com.