Seiko Diver ‘Black Series’ TOPPER Edition

A very special Seiko dive watch designed in collaboration between Topper Jewelers, Seiko, and Asher Rapkin.

The Seiko ‘Prospex’ (Japanese shorthand for “Professional Specifications”) story is a well-documented one, but in short, the term delineates watches in a collection which have been purpose-built to the specifications demanded by marine professionals, military pilots, and adventure-seekers alike, ensuring total dependability virtually anywhere on the planet. This includes extreme water resistance, enhanced shock and magnetic resistance, and improved legibility in any lighting environment.

This very special TOPPER Edition is designed around the case and dial architecture of the SPB077 Diver – a thoroughly modern tool watch inspired by Seiko’s groundbreaking and iconic 6159 Hi-Beat Diver from 1968, which would soon set the bar for an entire generation of Prospex watches.

However, unlike 2018’s standard-issue SPB077 Prospex model, this new TOPPER Edition heeds a series of unique design codes specially selected by Topper, Seiko USA, and Asher Rapkin with the collective goal of yielding an entirely new reference in the Seiko family – and one that should slot in neatly alongside the wildly popular ‘Darth Tuna’ and ‘Ninja Turtle’ Prospex models. 

Most immediately apparent, is how this special TOPPER Edition is finished in a matte black Ion Plating (IP), rendering the case extremely resistant to scratches, while lending the watch a stealthy & monochromatic on-wrist aesthetic. But a closer look reveals other thoughtful touches; like bright white Lumibrite on the dial (rather than green or beige, as found on other black Prospex models), a bright orange-tipped seconds hand and a scratch-proof sapphire crystal. This Japan-made diver is finished with two other key signatures: an ultra-soft silicone diver’s strap, and Seiko’s 6R15 movement, which delivers better accuracy and a longer power reserve (55 hours) over the 4R36 movement utilized on many Prospex watches.

Limited to 500 individually numbered pieces, this TOPPER Edition marks the first in a highly collectable series of watches not to include any mention of Topper Jewelers on the caseback, so as to maximize the global appeal to Seiko Prospex fans worldwide.

This Prospex model will be the sixth in a long-running series of sold-out TOPPER Editions, which began in 2015 with the Nomos Glashutte Tangente TOPPER Edition. The series went on to include a Bremont MBII to commemorate Topper’s 75th Anniversary, a Nomos Glashutte  Zurich World Timer, an Oris Diver 65 which was Oris’s first ever non date dive watch, two dial variants of Zodiac Super Sea Wolfs.

We hope you like this Prospex model and are incredibly excited to offer it! Anticipated Delivery is July, 2018.

Technical Specs

The 1968 Automatic Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation: SPB077 Topper Edition

Caliber 6R15
Driving system: Automatic

Vibrations: 21,600 vibrations per hour (6 beats per second) Power reserve: 50 hours
Number of jewels: 23

Specifications
Stainless steel case with super-hard coating Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating Screw case back. Screw-down crown Diameter: 44.0 mm, Thickness: 13.1 mm Water resistance: 200m diver’s
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
(SPB077-Topper)
Silicone strap (SPB079)