INTRODUCING: Seiko Prospex ‘Whale’ Limited Edition (Ref. SPB427J1)

The ever-popular diver hat-tips the majestic Humpback with a Thong Sia exclusive.

Seiko is on a roll of late. After all, it is celebrating the 110th anniversary of its first wristwatch, kicking off with a revival of the OG Laurel late last December, followed by a slew of Anniversary Editions this year spanning the Presage, Prospex, and King Seiko collections. As the commemorative year starts winding to an end, the Japanese stalwart is not forgetting to show some love to its regional loyalists with a Thong Sia exclusive for Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, and Brunei, which is limited to 1,000 pieces.  

While the Prospex ‘Whale’ Limited Edition (Ref. SPB427J1) is not a 110th-anniversary model, any release of limited-run Prospex models should get Seiko fans all riled up, given the universal appeal of the well-built line of timepieces. With a history dating back to 1965, the Prospex (short for Professional Specifications) has become the go-to choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike, thanks to its reliability and performance. Encompassing a range of watches tailored for specific activities, including diving, aviation, and exploration, the family of robust tickers are often equipped with Seiko’s cutting-edge watchmaking technology, such as Kinetic Direct Drive and Spring Drive calibres, not to mention its legendary workhorse automatic movements.

Counting fan-favourite divers, such as the ‘Turtle’, ‘Sumo’, ‘Shogun’, and ‘Monster’, as its predecessors, the latest in this illustrious lineage seems poised to give its forbears a run for their money. For starters, the Ref. SPB427J1 is extremely easy on the eye, owing its ‘Whale’ moniker and good looks to the graceful Humpback whale. The team of craftsmen behind this timepiece reportedly have a great passion for the sea and were inspired by the majestic marine mammal. Therefore, they chose to endow this watch with a black-and-white colourway recalling the Humpbacks. While wavy lines on the dial evoking ventral throat grooves on a Humpback whale would be more fitting, we appreciate the neat grid-like dial decoration that adds visual intrigue while not excluding the watch from corporate settings.

As a purpose-built diver, the Ref. SPB427J1 rightfully scores high on legibility. Besides its high-contrast colour scheme – with a white dial and black elements – the unidirectional rotating bezel, hands and indexes are accented by LumiBrite to enhance readability in any lighting condition. The latter is a relatively recent development by Seiko that glows brighter and lasts 10 times longer than conventional luminous paint. It is also completely free of radioactive substances and poses no harm to the environment, making it perfect for a nature-inspired watch.

The Prospex’ Whale’ Limited Edition Ref. SPB427J1 asserts a domineering presence on the wrist with a 45mm stainless steel case fitted with a screw-down caseback, ensuring 200m of water resistance. Driving the watch is the reliable self-winding Calibre 6R35 with an impressive 70-hour power reserve. Paired with a matching bracelet, it also comes with an additional silicone strap, so you can switch up the look from boardroom- to beach club-ready. To further sweeten the deal, every purchase of the Ref. SPB427J1 comes with a complimentary Prospex stainless steel thermal flask (500ml); while stocks last.

The Seiko Prospex ‘Whale’ Limited Edition (Ref. SPB427J1) is priced at S$1,458 and is only available in Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, and Brunei.

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