Event Report: Fratello X Seiko Prospex LX

Last Friday evening, we hosted an event in Amsterdam together with Seiko, to celebrate the introduction of the new Prospex LX collection.

The new Prospex LX collection was introduced in Baselworld and received with a lot of enthusiasm. From us as well, as these watches seem to be the next big step in their professional series. All equipped with a Spring Drive caliber 5R movement and the case and bracelet are finished according to their incredibly high standards. Including the famous Zaratsu polishing technique.

Seiko Prospex LX Event

Six watches in total, make up for this new Seiko Prospex LX collection, where LX stands for ‘light’. This can be interpreted in different ways, as the watches are made of the light-weight titanium but also because of the light that reflects so beautifully on the Zaratsu polished surfaces. Zaratsu, by the way, originates from the Swiss made polishing machines by Gebr. Sallaz. The name Sallaz reads a bit different in the Japanese language, so it was pronounced ‘zaratsu’. Now you know.

We invited about 30 of our readers to join us for the introduction of the Seiko Prospex LX collection in the Seiko Boutique in Amsterdam. In the recently renovated boutique (now with a large selection of Grand Seiko watches), all the guests were welcomed with a cocktail and some bites.

New Seiko Prospex LX Collection

Paul Daniels, president of the Seiko The Netherlands, together with Martine Meijer, Marketing Manager, along with the boutique staff, were present to welcome all guests. Martine Meijer kicked off with an introduction of the new Prospex LX collection and referred to the long history of professional Seiko diving watches.

Martine Meijer (Marketing Manager) and to her right, Paul Daniels (President Seiko Netherlands)

Seiko Netherlands trusted me (enough) to give a presentation on the Prospex LX models, one by one. Three new models represent sea, land and sky. The divers watch (300m) is their SNR029J1 (that we already reviewed here), the land version is their SNR025J1 and comes with a compass scale bezel and the watch for use by pilots (and those who travel to different time zones) is the SNR033J1. Then, the same watches are available in an “all black” edition as well (SNR027J1 for the land model, SNR031J1 for the divers watch and SNR035J1 for the GMT).

I briefly talked about the designer of these new Prospex LX watches as well, Ken Okuyama, who also has been on the design team for the Porsche 911 (996) and several Ferrari’s (456M, Enzo and California), for example. I elaborated on some of the design choices that Okuyama made, such as the new angle of the zaratsu polished case band, but also about the thickness of the watch.

Each watch has its own specific ‘professional’ purpose, that’s why they belong to the Seiko Prospex (“Professional Specifications”) collection. Two of these references (so 4 in total) come with a GMT function and thus have been equipped with the Spring Drive caliber 5R66 movement. The models with time-only indication have Spring Drive caliber 5R65. These movements offer 72 hours of power reserve and have an accuracy of +- 1-second deviation per day on average. We will do a proper review on the other models as well soon, here on Fratello, to share all details and our thoughts with you.

According to most of the guests of this Fratello X Seiko Prospex LX event, the titanium diver was favourite, followed by the GMT. Prices of these watches start at €5100. That’s a price point that you might have to get used to for the Seiko Prospex collection, but these watches are serious competition for some of the established “professional” watches out there from the well-known Swiss brands who operate in this segment.

Event Impression

Below, an impression of the Seiko Prospex LX event. As always, we included several wrist shots of our guests, of course.

A big thank you to all the guests who joined us for this Fratello x Seiko Prospex LX event in Amsterdam, and of course to Seiko Nederland B.V. and the Seiko Boutique in Amsterdam.

If you want to join us during one of our events, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to sign up for them.

More information on Seiko Prospex LX can be found here.