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Seiko has released two new Prospex Diver models for the brand’s 145th Anniversary, paying tribute to the brand’s dive watch history.

Seiko is marking its 145th anniversary with the release of two new Prospex limited editions, both featuring blue accents inspired by the brand’s signature “Seiko Blue” colourway. Rather than going over the top with commemorative details, Seiko has taken a bit of an understated approach here, using subtle design tweaks across two very different dive watch platforms.

One model revisits the brand’s iconic 1965 diver, while the other has a more modern design language. Each keeps the thematics of the 145th Anniversary with the “Seiko Blue” running through them – a tribute to the colour that was born in the 1960s signifying Seiko’s pioneering spirit; however, both are very different watches in their own right.

The 1965 Heritage Diver Returns In Anniversary Form

For me, the standout release here is the Seiko Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver’s Watch Limited Edition, reference HBC005. Based on the original 1965 diver — Japan’s first ever dive watch — the model continues the clean, functional design language that has become one of the strongest parts of the modern Prospex collection. In fact, if you have read our $20k Watch Challenge, then you’ll know I picked a 1965 Diver as part of that.

Dimension-wise, Seiko has kept things wearable at 40mm wide and 13mm thick, which should make this an easy everyday diver for most wrists. The case proportions remain faithful to previous 1965 reinterpretations, too, keeping that softer vintage-inspired profile intact.

For the anniversary release, Seiko pairs a silver-white dial with blue accents through the aluminium bezel insert, as well as the seconds hand. It’s subtle, but it works. The lighter dial gives the watch a fresher look compared to the darker tones usually seen throughout the Prospex range, while the blue detailing adds enough contrast without overtaking the design.

Inside is Seiko’s Calibre 6R55 automatic movement, offering a solid 72-hour power reserve. We’ve seen this movement become more common throughout Seiko’s mid-tier Prospex releases recently, and it continues to be a dependable option for daily wear.

The specs overall are strong, too. Water resistance is rated to 300 metres, while the bracelet gets Seiko’s updated clasp system with on-the-fly micro-adjustment. The clasp allows up to 15mm of adjustment in six increments, which is genuinely useful on a dive watch, particularly during warmer weather when wrist sizes fluctuate throughout the day as mine does quite often.

There’s also something fitting about Seiko using the 1965 diver as the foundation for a 145th anniversary release. The original model remains one of the most important watches in the company’s history, being Seiko’s first dive watch and it laying the groundwork for what would eventually become one of the strongest dive watch lineups in the industry.

A More Contemporary Prospex Diver

The second anniversary release, reference HBB001, has a very different style and look to it compared to the 1965 model. Where the 1965 Heritage model feels classic and understated, this one is far more angular and aggressive in its execution.

The case design is defined by strong faceting and flat surfaces, with sharply sculpted lugs giving the watch a much more agressive and sporty appearance overall. That sharper aesthetic carries through to the bracelet, hands, and indexes as well, creating a cohesive modern tool watch design. To me, it is what the watch has become if we saw an evolutionary scale of the watch over the years.

The most distinctive detail is easily the bezel. Seiko uses a two-tone aluminium insert, with the first 15-minute section finished in silver before transitioning into blue for the remainder of the scale. It’s a small change, but enough to immediately separate the watch from standard Prospex models.

Powering the watch is Seiko’s Calibre 4R35 automatic movement. It’s one of the brand’s long-running workhorse calibres, offering a 41-hour power reserve alongside solid everyday reliability. While it doesn’t have the refinement or longer reserve of the 6R55, it makes sense within the pricing of the watch.

At 41.7mm wide and 12.3mm thick, you would expect the HBB001 to wears slightly larger, although the thinner profile should help keep things just that little more balanced on the wrist. Water resistance comes in at 200 metres, keeping it firmly within proper dive watch territory, and offering a great value proposition for this release.

Initial Thoughts

Thankfully, Seiko hasn’t overdone the anniversary angle here. There are no oversized commemorative logos, no unnecessary gold accents, and no dramatic redesigns trying too hard to stand apart from the standard collection. Instead, both watches feel like they should exist as part of the current Prospex lineup, ableit elevated through subtle colour detailing.

This appraoch is what I do love about Seiko, especially when it comes to special or limited editions. The brand is generally at its best when it focuses on functionality, wearability, and practical design rather than chasing novelty. But, saying this, Seiko does put a lot of effort into seperating the special editions from the core collections in fairly meaningful ways. Something I found with the Prospex Sea “Kame” Australasian Edition from last year.

Pricing also feels fairly reasonable given the current market. The 1965 Heritage Diver Limited Edition is priced at AUD $2,200, which feels justified considering the upgraded movement, 300m water resistance, and improved clasp system. And for this price, you are getting a great diver that rivals it’s Swiss counterparts for a lot less. Meanwhile, the HBB001 lands at a far more accessible AUD $950, which is Seiko tageting two audiences here.

Production numbers differ quite a bit between the two as well. The HBC005 is limited to 4,000 pieces globally, while the HBB001 is limited to 9,999 pieces. Both models will be available from June 2026 through Seiko boutiques and select retailers worldwide.

References & Specifications

1965 Heritage Diver Prospex Sea 145th Anniversary Edition

Australian Retail Price: A$2,200 – head to seikoboutique.com.au for more.

Seiko Prospex 145th Anniversary Limited Edition Diver’s Watch

Australian Retail Price: A$950 – Head to seikoboutique.com.au for more.

Availability: Both watches available for dispatch from June/July 2026, but pre-orders open now.