SEIKO Prospex SPB079 SPB079J1 Divers

Seiko’s inclusion of the hacking and hand-winding 6R15 caliber also speaks to the utilitarian intended purpose of the “re-interpretations.” The Seiko-made 6R15 features 23 jewels, 21,600vph operational frequency, and a not insignificant 50 hour power reserve, which makes the 6R15 a common Seiko selection for their mid-level diver’s watches.

The new Prospex SPB079 takes the original design and update it to match current Seiko diver offerings. This is most prominently displayed in the dial, which features applied Lumibrite coated hour markers closely resembling those of the original 6159 Hi-Beat. Hands are the now standard big arrow Prospex style, again with a helping of Lumibrite for nighttime viewing. The controversial Prospex “X” appears on the dial at six, in addition to the standard “automatic” and “diver’s 200m” text.

Now case in a 44mm width and coated with Seiko’s “Super Hard Coating,” which should extend the scratch-free life of the watch. An anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal again speaks to the professional diving environment Prospex watches are theoretically designed for.

Feature’s some modern Seiko tech in a package which is intended to keep the 6159 theme alive, while still allowing the watch to speak to the diving enthusiasts. An updated size, coated stainless steel case, and tried and true 6R15 caliber add some novelty to a classic diver’s watch design, which should make the SPB079 a popular piece among today’s vintage design hungry watch crowd.