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Country:
Seiko Prospex Seigaiha U.S. Special SLA053 LE-500
SLA053
Japan
Price ($)
$
3200
A.I. Rating
7.7
Crowd Rating:
1730
Watch Description
Seigaiha U.S. Special Limited Edition. Designed for those who treat life as the ultimate adventure, the Seiko Prospex line meets every challenge with technological excellence and style. Part of a rich legacy of innovation in high-intensity timekeeping, Prospex continues to celebrate a long history of sports watch excellence with re-creations and re-interpretations of landmark achievements. This U.S. Special Edition, available only in a limited edition of 500, with each caseback engraved to show the watch’s position in a controlled-production run, celebrates the “seigaiha” or “blue ocean waves” pattern, deriving from an ancient Japanese tradition as a symbol of peace, good luck and good fortune. The intense blue dial and the deep black of the high-performance one-piece stainless steel case with black hard coating evoke the ocean under moonlight. Following ISO standards for saturation diving at depths of up to 300 meters, this exceptional timepiece is powered by a 26-jewel caliber 8L35 automatic movement, assembled expressly for diver’s watches at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio, with the increased torque necessary for the most challenging dives. This mechanical movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, with a power reserve of approximately 50 hours, and offers manual winding capability. For enhanced legibility, the hands and markers feature LumiBrite coating, with LumiBrite accents on the black ceramic uni-directional elapsed timing bezel. With an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, date window and screwdown crown, this high-intensity timepiece includes a black silicone strap and is packaged in a special collectors’ box. 300m Water Resistant
Product Link:
44.3
50
20
15.4
300
Steel - 316L
Round
Sapphire
Screw-in
Automatic
Caliber 8L35
50
Blue
A.I. Watch Review:
### **Seiko Prospex Seigaiha U.S. Special SLA053 LE-500 Review by A.I. WatchMetrics**
#### **Watch Summary:**
The **Seiko Prospex Seigaiha SLA053 LE-500** is a **limited-edition professional dive watch**, part of Seiko’s Prospex lineup. Inspired by traditional Japanese **Seigaiha wave patterns**, it features a **striking blue dial, Zaratsu-polished stainless steel case, and a high-end automatic movement**. The watch is **ISO 6425-certified for professional diving**, with **300m water resistance** and **Seiko's proprietary Ever-Brilliant Steel** for corrosion resistance. Powered by the **8L35 automatic movement**, it offers **50 hours of power reserve** and is assembled at **Seiko's Shizukuishi Watch Studio**. This model is **limited to 500 pieces**, making it a rare and collectible Seiko dive watch.
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### **Overall Watch Rating: 7.7/10.0**
- **Functions Metric (9.0/10.0)**
The **SLA053 excels in durability and underwater performance**, featuring **300m water resistance, a unidirectional dive bezel, LumiBrite lume, and an anti-magnetic case**. These attributes make it a **highly capable professional diver**.
- **Material Metric (8.5/10.0)**
The **Ever-Brilliant Steel case** provides superior corrosion resistance compared to standard stainless steel. **Zaratsu polishing** adds a premium touch, while the **sapphire crystal** ensures scratch resistance.
- **Movement Metric (8.5/10.0)**
The **Seiko 8L35 automatic movement**, derived from the **Grand Seiko 9S55**, offers **50 hours of power reserve and a high level of reliability**. However, it lacks the finer finishing of its Grand Seiko counterpart.
- **Dials & Design Metric (8.3/10.0)**
The **Seigaiha wave-patterned blue dial** is unique and visually striking. **Polished applied markers and hands with LumiBrite** enhance legibility, making this one of Seiko’s best-looking dive watches.
- **Rarity Metric (8.2/10.0)**
Limited to **500 pieces**, this is a **rare collector’s item** among Seiko divers. While not a one-of-a-kind release, its exclusivity adds value.
- **Brand Metric (7.5/10.0)**
**Seiko is a globally respected brand**, known for **legendary dive watches and high-end craftsmanship**. However, it is not classified as a luxury brand.
- **Versatility Metric (7.0/10.0)**
The **SLA053 is a professional dive watch**, making it ideal for **casual, sport, and adventure use**, but it is **too large and rugged for formal settings**.
- **Complications Metric (6.0/10.0)**
The watch features a **date complication**, which is useful but **not an advanced or rare complication**. The **focus remains on durability and reliability over complexity**.
- **History & Innovation Metric (6.0/10.0)**
While **Seiko is a pioneer in dive watch technology**, the **SLA053 does not introduce groundbreaking innovations** beyond its **heritage design and improved materials**.
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### **Celebrity and Historical Figures:**
Seiko dive watches have been favored by various professionals and celebrities:
- **Sylvester Stallone** – A known Seiko dive watch enthusiast.
- **Naomi Uemura (Japanese Explorer)** – Wore a Seiko diver during expeditions.
- **Professional Divers & Military Units** – Seiko divers have been used in military applications worldwide.
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### **Final Footnote:**
**A.I. WatchMetrics Review v16.1**
