Seiko Diver’s Watch 45th Anniversary

Seiko released a new shrouded diver (SBBN019) to commemorate the 45th anniversary of its diver’s watch. Included in the package is a metal card that list out some of their landmark divers with many listed as “world’s first”.

In this post, I shall attempt to put a picture to each of the watches listed. Please let me know if I got any of them wrong.

1965 – The first Japan-made diver’s watch: 150m
The 6217-8000 was the first Japan-made diver. This watch is a hard to come by especially in mint condition.

1968 – The 10-beat high precision self-winding diver’s watch: 300m
This has got to be the 6159-7000. The movement beats at 36,000bph.

Picture by Molle

1975 – The world’s first Titanium diver’s watch: 600m
This is another high-beat diver. 6159-7010.

Picture by Yeoman

1978 – The world’s first diver’s watch loaded with quartz movement: 600, 300m
These shrouded quartz divers are powered by the 7549 movement. The 600m model is 7549-7009 and 300m model is 7549-7010.

Picture by Zoodles

Picture by John W

1986 – The world’s first diver’s watch with outer zirconia ceramic case: 1000m
This shrouded diver is powered by the 7C46 movement. This movement is still in use as of today.

Picture by Jimmy Fu

1990 – The world’s first computerized diver’s watch: 200m
Tokunaga’s Watch Museum list the M-725 and M-726 both as the world’s first computerized diver’s watch and both were released in 1990. Picture below is the M-725.

Picture from GMTplusnine

1992 – The world’s first diver’s watch with Kinetic movement: 200m
This Kinetic ‘Starfish’ diver is listed on Tokunaga’s Watch Museum as the world’s first Kinetic diver. It is loaded with the 5M23 movement.

Picture by Petew, GMTplusnine

1995 – The world’s first diver’s watch with a one-piece bright Titanium case: 200m
According to the book, “A Journey in Time”, the SBCW003 Scubamaster pictured below was the world’s first diver’s watch with a one-piece bright Titanium case. You can see that it even the words “One-Piece Titanium” printed it on the dial.

Picture by Badern

2000 – The world’s first Nitrox multi-level diving computer watch: 100m

2005 – The world’s first Spring Drive diver’s watch: 600m
This Spring Drive diver is a fairly recent watch that made it into the history of Seiko divers.

Picture by Seiya Japan

2010 – Seiko diver’s watch 45th anniversary limited edition: 1000m
The SBBN019 aka “White Dolphin” is the 45th anniversary commemorative watch. It is powered by the 7C46 movement. This watch is limited to 300 pieces.

Picture by Big Time

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