Seiko Debuts Limited Edition Prospex LX SNR045 Diver With Textured Green Dial

After collecting the coveted GPHG Best Diver’s Watch prize in 2019, the Seiko Prospex LX diver series has established its place among the most technically impressive dive watch releases in recent years. For 2020, the brand has returned to the line with the Seiko Prospex LX SNR045, a unique limited edition green dial model inspired by Japanese Antarctic exploration. The beefy 44.8mm titanium case shares the same proprietary super-hard coating and distinctive angular “Grammar of Design” shape as its stablemates for a solid 300 meters of water resistance, but is topped off here by a ceramic unidirectional bezel in polished green ceramic. While many uses of the color can come off either too drab or too vibrant, the medium forest tone here strikes a fine balance that should prove versatile. The real star of the show, however, is the dial. Like so many Seiko designs, this one draws from nature, emulating the mysterious pillars of moss found beneath the surface of a recently discovered lake in Skarvsness Foreland, Antarctica by a team of researchers. In practice, the etched design on the glossy green dial reads almost like a shimmering herringbone pattern, catching the light and standing out dramatically from the competition. Seiko powers the Prospex LX SNR045 with the 5R65 automatic spring drive movement. This signature Seiko powerplant allows for an incredible accuracy of within 15 seconds per month, along with the perfectly smooth gliding sweep of the seconds hand and an indicated 72 hours of power reserve. Like other Prospex LX diver models, the SNR045 is paired with an angular, cleanly finished titanium take on the classic oyster style three link bracelet with butterfly clasp. With the Seiko Prospex LX SNR045, Seiko has taken one of its most technically impressive mainline releases in recent years and taken it in a bolder visual direction, for a truly one of a kind result. Only 500 examples of the Seiko Prospex LX SNR045 will be made, and are available now through authorized retailers at an MSRP of $6,000. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.

Junghans Offers First Ever Max Bill Kleine Automatic In 34mm Size

The Junghans Max Bill line has been a fixture for the German brand for decades, creating an iconic minimalist centerpiece for the company since the original designed penned by Max Bill himself hit the market in 1961. In all those years, however, the watch has never been offered in its original 34mm size with an automatic movement. The new Junghans Max Bill Kleine Automatic series finally fills this gap, combining the Max Bill shape in its purest form with the convenience of automatic winding. The 34mm stainless steel case is available with a matte finish, along with an optional PVD coating in gold or anthracite black. The overall form is simple and almost delicate in its minimalism, but the all-dial appearance from above helps the Max Bill Kleine Automatic to avoid feeling too small on the wrist. Like the case design, the matte white dials of the new Junghans Max Bill Kleine Automatic are remarkably faithful translations of the 1961 original. Each of the three versions offers a slightly different interpretation on the base design, with the stainless steel and PVD gold opting for elemental line indices and matching hands. The PVD black model, on the other hand, uses the distinctive rounded minimal Arabic numerals found in many iterations of the Max Bill line, lending it a slightly more substantial appearance. All three variants use the ETA 2824-based Junghans J800.1 automatic movement. Like its ETA branded forebear, the J800.1 is a durable, solid powerplant with a slightly disappointing 38 hour power reserve and 28,800 bph beat rate. Each version of the Junghans Max Bill Kleine Automatic is offered with a different strap option. The classic stainless steel model receives a minimalist calf leather strap in clean beige, while the gold PVD and black PVD models are paired with textile straps made from recycled PET plastic in pale gray, respectively. While the petite size may not be for all modern tastes, the Junghans Max Bill Kleine Automatic offers a true purist option for the line with a reliable automatic heart. All three versions of the Junghans Max Bill Kleine Automatic are available now online and through authorized dealers, with a starting MSRP of $995. To learn more, visit Junghans’ website.