Inside Seiko: How Prospex Watches Are Tested for Real-World Toughness

If you’re looking for a durable watch, look no further than the Seiko Prospex. 

After all, if you’re built for professionals, you have to live up to the name. In fact, it’s in the name Prospex itself. It stands for “professional specifications” and every bit of a Seiko Prospex is geared towards meeting the extreme demands of professionals the world over. 

Thousands of divers, mountain climbers, speedster spelunkers, and all sorts of adventure professionals trust the Seiko Prospex on their wrist. It’s a testament to Prospex real-world performance that we get amazing timepieces that thrive in the world’s most dangerous locations. 

The Seiko Prospex: Tried and Tested

How are Seiko Prospex tested? Let’s focus on divers watches for this discussion. What you have to remember is that all Seiko Prospex divers watches conform to ISO 6425, the divers watch standard. It’s a composite of other ISO standards that make for a fully functioning, durable timepiece. 

The first component of the ISO certification is actually another ISO standard – 22810. This tests for water resistance and to pass this test you have a battery of conditions. 

First, you immerse the timepiece at a depth of 30 cm. Then you operate its mechanisms that can be allowed underwater like the bezel. You keep it immersed for 24 hours, and then test the same operations again. And then, you submerge it for 24 hours again. If any condensation appears, then it fails the test. 

You also get testing for corrosion, magnetic resistance, temperature, and visibility, all conforming to a set standard by ISO regulations. This battery of tests is called homologation and is not only met by Seiko, it exceeds them. And it isn’t just tested on one watch. Every watch has to be tested to meet the ISO 6425 requirements. 

In fact, Seiko is tested by real world performance. For example, in 2014, a set of Seiko Prospex was attached to submersible reaching 3000m of depth before the watches succumbed to pressures of the deep in the Kaiko 7000II Test. Seiko Prospex are also sent regularly on the Japan Antarctic Research Expedition, to test for reliability in the coldest of environments. Of course, the Seiko Prospex passes with flying colors. 

The Best Seiko Prospex to Buy For Toughness

Living in the Philippines means you have to have tough watches that have been rigorously tested. Here are some of the best Seiko Prospex you can find here in the country. 

Durability For Those In The Fast Lane: The Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SRQ047J1 

Speed meisters need not fret when they’re feeling the need for speed. A mechanical chronograph needs to be able to take a tumble, especially in the high pressure stakes of the race track and the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer is no dainty pedestrian watch. 

Encased in an tough 42.0mm stainless steel case with super hard coating and dual curved sapphire crystal, this chronograph can take a few hits and keep on timing your runs through intense g-forces. Inside you get the 8R48 automatic movement which keeps its precision at +25 to -15 seconds per day with approximately 45 hours of power reserve. 

It gets wet on the racetrack so the 10 bar water resistance comes in handy, especially when you need a watch that survives the rigors of environment where every second counts. 

Not Your Usual Divers Watch:The Seiko Prospex SPB485J1

Don’t let the dressy looks fool you, this is every bit a tool watch that can withstand the pressures of the deep. It has a 300m / 1,000 ft diver’s water resistance, plus a screw-down crown and screw case back, for the ultimate underwater adventure. The multi-polygonal rose gold bezel also rotates unidirectionally for underwater timing. The extremely durable 41.3mm stainless steel case can also take a beating while protecting the coastline inspired dial. 

Legibility is no problem with LumiBrite hands and indices with a sapphire crystal outfitted with non-reflective coating so that you can know the time wherever you are.

Inside you’ll find the latest 6R55 movement, which is considered very reliable and would get you through the toughest of situations. Seiko durability doesn’t have a better representation than this timepiece. 

Legendary Durability: The Seiko Prospex Marinemaster SLA073J1

The modern day reinterpretation of the legendary 1968 Seiko divers watch, the SLA073J1 is one of the best watches you can buy. Outfitted with 200m of water resistance, it features the high-end 8L35 movement with an ultra precise +15 to -10 seconds per day, with an approximate power reserve of 50 hours. Emphasizing its toughness is a 42.6mm stainless steel case. 

Aesthetically, you’ll notice the overall motif is ruggedness as this is a reinterpretation of the watch worn on the first ever Japanese Everest expedition. The dial has a textured blue dial with a gradient, mimicking the look and feel of a underwater caves. Each index and hand is highlighted with LumiBrite, one of the best lume in the market today, covered by a dual-curved sapphire crystal. 

The Seiko Prospex, Built Tough Like You

The Seiko Prospex is rigorously tested to meet the demands of the professionals of the world. Exacting requirements mean that you get the best of the best when it comes to Seiko durability. 

Want to experience Prospex real-world performance on your wrist? Your best choice is none other than Seiko Philippines. Buy online or in various boutiques in the Philippines. 

Built tough. Get the iconic and durable Seiko Prospex.