Hot Take: The Seiko Prospex Twilight Blue SPB097J1

We have word of a new diver, the Seiko Prospex Twilight Blue, a special edition for the European and US markets.

Seiko is no stranger to special editions.  With the announcement of the new Seiko Prospex Twilight Blue, the brand keeps things rolling with their newest regional offering.   In the past, it was Japan and some southeast Asian countries receiving all the attention, but this newest diver is marketed primarily towards the European and US market.  It’s almost weekly now that Seiko announces some sort of a limited or special offering.  To recap what’s gone on lately with Seiko, there have been multiple collaboration pieces with Japanese designers and fashion companies, a limited edition piece with a jeweler in the recent SPB107 Topper Limited Edition, last year’s European market Dawn Grey series with both a Turtle and a Samurai, and the immensely popular so-called SRPC49 “Ninja Turtle” that was sold as a special edition during 2018.  I’m definitely missing other releases, but let’s focus on today’s news.

Based on the 1968 Diver Reinterpretation

The new Seiko Prospex Twilight Blue comes in as ref. SPB097J1 and like the Topper piece I mentioned previously, this one is also based on the modern re-interpretation of the 1968 diver.  The regular edition models (the black dial/black bezel on bracelet SPB077J1, the black dial/blue bezel on black silicone strap SPB079J1, black dial/blue & red bezel on silicone strap PADI SPB087J1, and the blue dial/black bezel on bracelet and strap SPB083J1) were what I’d call sleeper hits.  We weren’t immediately taken with them due to the use of Seiko’s modern handset featuring a large arrow hour hand, but time has changed things.  Most of us now believe that this just might be Seiko’s best all-around diver.

With its relatively slim 13.1mm case profile, 44mm diameter and 51mm lug to lug, the Seiko Prospex Twilight Blue wearable and light – especially when placed on the pliable silicone strap.  Plus, the use of the upper mid-level 6R15 automatic with 50 hours of power reserve is a nice addition over the 4R36 in the Turtle despite both being good, reliable movements.

Orange and Twilight Blue

Taking a look at the Seiko Prospex Twilight Blue, there are some nice colors at work here.  I’ll be honest, when I first saw the watch on my phone, I thought it looked like the red and blue PADI edition with a blue dial.  However, a better view showed orange instead of red and I like it.  Aside from the use of orange on the first 15 minutes of the bezel (the rest of the bezel looks black), it’s also in play on the seconds hand, every five minutes on the chapter ring and denotes the 200 meter water resistance.  This orange sits well against the cobalt blue dial that Seiko calls “twilight”.

In fact, Seiko tells us that the entire package is supposed to remind one of a sunset against the ocean in Malta of all places.  Rounding out the Seiko Prospex Twilight Blue  is the attractive inclusion of both a steel bracelet and black silicone strap.

Final Thoughts and Pricing

The Seiko Prospex Twilight Blue is priced at 1,200 Euros, which is not a premium over the regular production SPB083J1 that also includes a bracelet and strap.  With Seiko special editions, we never really know when they’ll shut off the virtual faucet and stop making them, but I’d assume buyers have a few months to make their decision.  I am not always onboard with all of Seiko’s special pieces (I was pretty ambivalent about the Dawn Grey pieces), but this one looks really good in my eyes.  I am a fan of orange, but normally only when it is used with restraint (unless it’s a Doxa!).  I think Seiko did a good job here and the fact that it’s paired with my current favorite diver from the brand just adds to the goodness factor.

This Seiko Prospex Twilight is on sale now, so head to your nearest Seiko boutique to have a look, or see it online on Seiko’s official site.