In general, I’ve come to not really prefer watches that have been “blacked out”, as these tend to have very dark dials and handsets that cause legibility to suffer. On the other other hand, Seiko is all about solid designs that are functional, so their latest addtions to the Prospex ‘The Black Series’ actually has me thinking this colorway could be quite nice.
Why I like these
As I mentioned at the outset, legibility is key, and if you’re going to have dark grey hands and indices, then things will suffer. On the aesthetic side of the equation, if you put bright white paint on the hands and indices, you keep it functional, but it breaks the darker look. Here, Seiko has hit a sort of middle ground, with the dark finishes on the case, bracelet, bezel, and dial, while going with a minty green for the luminous fills. It keeps it so you can read the time, yet gives us a different flavor that works really well against the darker tones.
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SSC923
This is, of course, the chronograph. What you might not expect here is that the movement is solar-powered. That’s right – it’s a dark watch that wants to be in the light! fortunately, you do get a power reserve indicator, as well as a 24-hour scale, running subseconds, and a 60-minute chronograph scale. Things are topped off with a sapphire crystal, and it comes paired to a nylon strap. When it launches this spring, the Speedtimer will be commanding $700 (more details).
Seiko Prospex Sea SRPK43
This is my favorite of the new duo. A clean and classic dive watch style, along with the night-ops color scheme? Yes, please. And that’s even before we add in the elongated magnifier over the day and date discs. This one is relying on the automatic 4R36 movement, housed safely within the 45mm case. This one – again, when it comes later this spring – will be going for $725 (more details).
Wrapping things up
And there you – a darker take on two popular Seiko designs, ready to take the deep dark of winter with you on your wrist into the brighter days of the coming spring and summer. While we do enjoy the usual color schemes these watches come in, the darker finishes here do lend a bit of an upscale feel to things. seikowatches.com
