Meet the Seiko Prospex “Great Blue” Samurai Scuba PADI SRPJ93K1 Special Edition

The new Prospex “Great Blue” Samurai Scuba PADI Special Edition watch by Seiko features the distinctive sword-shaped central hour and second hands from which they take their nickname, along with a quick-drying rubber band and lashings of Lumibrite on a dial inspired by the deep blue hues of the ocean. 

Thanks to its modern design, the Seiko Samurai was well-received amongst avid Seiko fans when the brand first released the line back in 2004. During that time, you could purchase the Seiko Samurai in a titanium case as well as in a stainless steel option. As years went by, the popularity of the Samuari watch grew and grew until it is now considered one of the Japanese watchmaker’s most popular dive watches to date. Buy why is it called the Samurai? Well, just like the Seiko Tuna gained its name thanks to its tuna can-inspired shape and the beefy and bulky Seiko Sumo watch acquired a nickname that likened it to Japanese wrestlers, the Seiko Samurai has hour and second hands that are shaped like a Samurai sword – a weapon native to Japan.

The Samurai watch is popular amongst fans because it is not as old-school looking as the SKX series. It’s also not as avant-garde as the Monster.  Instead, it blends modernity with tradition in perfect measure constituting a nice middle ground. The hour markers and hands are thick, enabling them to assist with legibility, whilst a two-tone bezel works well to serve as part of a unidirectional rotating design that is both easy to read and easy to manipulate under thick diving gear. Even though, in many ways, the Samurai watches from Seiko are bold and strong looking, they also pair pretty well with a shirt for evening wear. Given their large diameters measuring between 42 and 44mm, the modern appearance of the Seiko Samurai watch is complimented by soft curves that have been influenced by previous decades-old Seiko dive watches. Sharp downward-sloping angular lugs and a trapezoid profile all contribute to its unique look. Whilst older models are topped with a piece of Hardlex glass, newer models are, of course, fitted with a stronger and more scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass front with anti-reflective properties that serve well as a deterrent from any undesirable glare when referencing the time during the day.

Seiko and PADI

Continuing with the story of the Seiko Prospex Samurai series is the new “Great Blue” Scuba PADI Special Edition watch, which has been designed as a celebration of the brand’s ongoing association with the globally-renowned Professional Association of Diving Instructions. Each year, the Japanese watch brand releases at least one special edition watch made in collaboration with PADI – the world’s leading scuba diving training organization. If you’re into diving, you may have even participated in PADI’s diving courses and scuba diving services, since the company has over 6,300 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts dotted around the world, not to mention more than 136,000 individual PADI Professionals who have issued more than 25 million certifications around the globe. The Seiko watches released in collaboration with PADI each year are designated as the “Great Blue” watches. This year, the brand has released a new Sumo and new King Turtle watch alongside the new Prospex “Great Blue” Samurai Scuba PADI Special Edition, which we’re going to look at in more detail today.

The series of special edition watches released under the PADI reference by Seiko each year proves to be very popular with general Seiko collectors and fans of its dive watch range. The spec list of any PADI watch, true to Seiko’s traditions in crafting reliable dive tools, is full of solid features that constitute a great companion for exploring the underwater universe. Paired with an impressive spec list is an affordable price tag that cannot be grumbled at.

The new Seiko Prospex “Great Blue” Samurai Scuba PADI Special Edition watch

The Seiko Prospex “Great Blue” Samurai Scuba PADI Special Edition watch measures a 43.8mm diameter, just shy of the 45mm Sumo and Turtle siblings it was released alongside. Sitting at a 12.6mm height, the stainless steel case of this Prospex watch is topped with a blue ceramic-filled bezel with light blue accents that compliment the minute hand on the dial. The watch case is also sealed with a piece of anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass and features a screw-down crown at 3 o’clock, along with a sealed closed caseback engraved with special edition writing. The watch is 200-meter water resistant and the bezel is the unidirectionally rotating kind that moves only in the counterclockwise direction to avoid the risk of accidentally extending dive time once underwater. To use the bezel, simply align its 12 o’clock position with the minute hand to begin measuring your time underwater.

The dial of the watch is beautifully legible. Its gradient blue dial transcends into dark shades of black around the edges and has been inspired by the view experienced by a diver underwater as light hits the surface of the ocean. It features chunky hour markers in a baton style, with trapezoid hour markers located at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock. A date window at 3 o’clock is dressed against a white background to enhance readability in all conditions and is situated underneath a magnified lens.

The new Prospex “Great Blue” Samurai Scuba PADI Special Edition is powered by the Calibre 4R35 automatic movement, which provides a 41-hour power reserve, enabling you to switch the watch over with an alternative watch whenever desired and still return to the “Great Blue” Prospex to find it has kept perfect time. It comes fitted on a black silicone band that is quick-drying, with a stainless steel clasp for extra security against the wrist.

If you’d like more information on the new Prospex “Great Blue” Samurai Scuba PADI Special Edition, you can check out the spec details on the watch here, or call and speak to a member of our sales team at Jura Watches on 01335 453453.