A Closer Look at the Seiko Monster Save The Ocean Antarctica
Friday - 23 July 2021
Seiko wants to promote conservation and raise awareness of the decline of inhabitants in the world’s largest marine sanctuary with the release of the ice-cold Save The Ocean Antarctica watch.
Not every watch brand has the breadth of skill to produce dive watches that cover the whole spectrum, from affordable to high-end. Seiko does. And because it can, its dive tools appeal en masse to beginner collectors and experienced alike. Part of Seiko’s dive watch range covers the brand’s environmentally aware Save The Ocean models. These stretch back to the year 2018 when the brand partnered up with the grandson of Jacques-Yes Cousteau, Fabien. Since Seiko rarely gives its laurels to many ambassadors and those it does, it tends to keep hold of for many years, the work that Fabien Cousteau was carrying out to raise awareness of marine issues clearly struck a chord with Seiko. Environmental organisations and leading conservation groups have continued to benefit from the proceeds of these watches, so it came as welcomed news to learn that Seiko was releasing yet another model in aid of this same cause.
Seiko’s Save The Ocean legacy continues
The first of the Seiko Save The Ocean legacy was the Turtle version. That was a 45mm steel model with a blue wave-effect dial and a 120-click unidirectional rotating bezel. Next came the Save The Ocean Black Series with gradient blue dials and steel cases, along with a stealthy-like black PVD coating and a Hardlex glass front. This time, the brand welcomes lighter shades into its collection with the design of the Save The Ocean Monster Antarctica watch. Once again, the model targets ocean protection with proceedings donated to various organisations currently playing an integral role in climate change and ocean conversation.
Ice cold colours…
The new design direction of this recent Seiko Save The Ocean watch is in its name. The model focuses on icy dial colours with the Antarctica timepiece. The cold colour theme is not only for pairing with a winter wardrobe, however. Seiko has been clever enough to create a timepiece with an aesthetic versatile enough to look fresh on the wrist when strolling down the beach or stopping for a cool one by the coast. Antarctica’s breath-taking ice white scenery and staggering views are, however, very much apparent in the textures and colourways of the dial. The graduated colours reflect the ice-cool blues of the sea and the shimmering white snowy landscapes found in the world’s largest marine sanctuary.
Footprints in the snow
One endearing detail to be admired on the dial of this Save The Planet Antarctica watch is the footprints, travelling across the surface of the dial from 7 o’clock to 10 o’clock – a poignant feature and a stark reminder of the dwindling numbers of the region’s inhabitants. In the past, the Save The Ocean watches have been based on designs taken from the Samurai, the Turtle watches and the Tuna Series – all designs of which take their name from objects or living things that they appear to resemble. This time the Save The Ocean Antarctica Watch is based on the Monster model – a design that has been likened to the Abominable Snowman and Yeti in the past. Seiko is now on its fourth generation of the Monster. From a 42mm steel model with an oversized crown to the second generation, equipped with a newer movement, to a third version grouped under the “Prospex” umbrella, to this new variation. These newer models are characterised by their contrasting bezels and a day-date complication, both of which can be admired in the new Seiko Save The Ocean Monster Antarctica watch.
Apart from a new colour scheme, the new Seiko Save The Ocean Antarctica watch ref: SRPG57K1 is almost identical to the earlier SRPE27K1 design released in 2020. The lugs extend up to the bezel, the case is resolutely bold and masculine-looking and the watch also offers the same robust stainless steel bracelet. The 42.4mm model features a case band and bezel that are deeply notched to create a sense of depth and heftiness to the design. The indexes and hands are executed in true “Monster” style and have been coated with luminescent material for guaranteeing legibility in low-light conditions.
A unidirectional rotating bezel with a 60-minute scale on its surface can be used down to 200 meters underwater thanks to a sufficient water-resistant rating. A magnifier is also positioned above the day-date complication at 3 o’clock and the crown is the screw-down type to ensure a watertight environment for the Calibre 4R36 to do its job. This self-winding movement is the day-date version of the 4R35 Calibre, which we recently covered in the Seiko Save The Ocean King Samurai article here, and produces a 41-hour power reserve. To finish, the robust stainless steel bracelet that completes the dive-ready look of the Seiko Save The Ocean Antarctica watch is supplied with a folding clasp and a diver’s extension feature. The latter enables the bracelet to extend over the top of heavy diving gear whilst remain secure and offering a comfortable fit.
For more information on the Seiko Monster Save The Ocean Antarctica watch you can call our sales team today on 01335 453453 or check out the spec on the watch here.
Technical specifications of the Seiko Monster Save The Ocean Antarctica ref: SRPG57K1
- Case: 42.4mm – stainless Steel – full steel unidirectional rotating bezel with 60-minute dive scale – 200-meter water resistance – Hardlex front
- Dial: Gradient blue – luminous Monster-style hands and indexes – day-date at 3 o’clock – penguin footprints running from 7 to 10 o’clock
- Movement: Calibre 4R36 – self-winding – 24 jewels – 41-hour power reserve - day and date feature
- Strap: Stainless Steel – folding clasp – diver extension fastening
- Price: £500
- Ref: SRPG57K1
