Seiko Men's Recraft Series Automatic Leather Casual Watch (Model: SNKP27), Emerald, Automatic Watch

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At the time of the watches release, manufacturers were breaking new dive records. Diver's were going ever deeper - for both work and recreation. But not everyone into dive watches needed that functionality. If you're familiar with Skin Diver watches you'll recognise that DNA in the Seiko. And the reissue faithfully recreates that aesthetic. The case is larger, as are the hands. The bezel is chunkier and more modern looking and the whole watch looks a little crisper than the 1960s watch.

Seiko Gents automatic Seiko recraft Limited Edition SRPC13K

The Seiko Captain Willard was a real Seiko watch that was first released in 1968. Officially known as the Seiko 6105, it was a tough dive watch that was on sale in Vietnam during the war. But that simple design, with its round case and slim profile, doesn't do justice to the watches specs. This watch has 200M of water resistance and a sapphire crystal. But the watch is a legitimate diver and has 200M of water resistance. And the other specs are good too - they should be - this isn't an inexpensive watch. The 62MAS was Seiko's first diver, but following on its heels was 1968s 6159-7001. This was a chunkier, more heavy-duty diver. It gave us the design features that you'll recognise from later Seiko models. Watch companies spotted a gap and began to release lighter, slimmer dive watches. These were aimed at more casual divers.

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The overall shape is a sort of hybrid between rectangular and tonneau. The case is rectangular, but a rectangle that bows outward along the top, bottom, and side edges. And while the case sides on the left and right are closer to vertical, the top and bottom ends slope outward, away from the bezel and toward the lugs. All of which adds up to a case design that’s as interesting as it is polarizing. Polished and brushed finishes on the case sides

Seiko Recraft - Etsy UK Seiko Recraft - Etsy UK

The inspiration for this modern reinterpretation was a hand-winding model known as the Laurel Alpinist. It was a modest 35mm wide. This new version is slightly larger at 38mm. And rather than hand-winding, it is powered by an automatic movement. The 62MAS was a straightforward automatic watch. But it had 150M of water resistance. That was impressive when previous Seiko watches could only boast 50M.

It was at this point that Seiko built their debut dive watch. The name 62MAS comes from the watches features - an autoMAtic Selfdater. Some of these are high-spec expensive watches and some are more modest and affordable. I've included both in my article. It has a simple, clean dial with bold triangular markers. The prominent hands are dauphine-style. Overall, it's a straightforward three-handed watch, reminiscent of the Rolex Explorer 1. This watch, the Seiko Captain Willard, is a similar offering to the 62MAS. It's one of Seiko's most iconic divers and a favourite among the brand's fans.