Today Seiko introduced six new Seiko Prospex LX collection watches powered by a variety of Spring Drive calibers. Whereas all are pretty expensive, they all are crafted from nicely machined and Zaratsu-finished titanium, powered by extremely accurate and – partially – mechanical Spring Drive movements and offer a fair bit of variety in design.

Specifications

Brand: Seiko
Model: Prospex LX Collection reference SNR025, SNR027, SNR029, SNR031, SNR033 and SNR035
Dimensions: All are 44.8 millimeters wide, thickness varies between either 14.7mm (SNR025, SNR027, SNR033, SNR035) or 15.7mm (SNR029, SNR031)
Case Material: Titanium case with or without super-hard black coating, Zaratsu polished flat surfaces
Crystal/Lens: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating (SNR029, 031); Sapphire crystal with super-clear coating (SNR025, 027, 033, 035)
Movement:Spring Drive GMT 5R66 (SNR025, 027, 033, 035); Spring Drive 5R65 (SNR029, 031)
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Strap/Bracelet: titanium bracelet with super-hard coating (SNR025, SNR029, SNR033); Calf strap (SNR027); Silicone strap (SNR031); Crocodile strap (SNR035).
Price & Availability: $5,000 (SNR025, SNR027), $6,000 (SNR029, SNR031), $5,500 (SNR033, SNR035)

Analysis

If you want the pinnacle, the non plus ultra in Seiko dive watches, it’s the Seiko Prospex LX collection where you’ll want to look. Powered by the absolutely brilliant Spring Drive caliber (whose functioning and history I explained in unmatched detail here) safeguarded by Zaratsu-finished titanium cases, these are as refined as they are mean-looking. There’s plenty of variety between the six new-for-2019 references in the Seiko Prospex LX collection: they all have a date indication at 3 and a power reserve at 7:30 o’clock on the dial, while the Seiko Prospex LX SNR025, Seiko Prospex LX SNR027, Seiko Prospex LX SNR033 and Seiko Prospex LX SNR035 feature GMT second time zone displays as well.

The Spring Drive 5R65 and Spring Drive 5R66 GMT calibers are self-winding, but the 72-hour power reserve can be replenished via the crown just the same. The titanium cases are not only light but robust too, with water resistance ratings ranging from 300 meters for the Seiko Prospex LX saturation diver reference SNR029 and SNR031, through 200 meters for the SNR025 and SNR027, down to a still very user-friendly 100 meters for the SNR033 and SNR035.

All cases are 44.8 millimeters wide, matched to “super-hard” coated titanium bracelets, a calf strap, a silicone strap or a crocodile strap – depending on the version. The SNR027, SNR031 and SNR035 pieces ditch the titanium bracelet but go for a black super-hard coating on their titanium cases for some properly stealthy and mean-looking Prospex LX watches.

Summary

We are excited to be checking these pieces out hands-on at BaselWorld 2019 and bringing you detailed hands-on analysis and live imagery. Pricing for the Seiko Prospex LX collection is $5,000 for reference SNR025 and SNR027, $6,000 for reference SNR029 and SNR031, and $5,500 for reference SNR033 and SNR035. You can learn more about Seiko watches at seikowatches.com.