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. And that is how it should be. It's not a Skin Diver like the 62MAS. Instead, this model is a professional diver. A tough watch designed for long periods in water. Skin Diver watches of the time had generic cases (often built by Squale). So this watch has an angular case with pronounced lugs. This is matched with a simple rotating bezel. They've been at the forefront of watchmaking innovation. Inevitably, they've made some influential and iconic watches through the decades.

Seiko Recraft UFO Limited Edition – KibbleWatches

But the watches real fame comes from Hollywood. In Apocalypse Now, Martin Sheen's character - Captain Willard - wore the Seiko 6105. Surprisingly, the reissue is slightly smaller than the original. As a fan of smaller watches that is a plus for me. But at 42mm, this isn't a small watch. It's just more compact than the original It's a great watch in its own right. It had 150M of water resistance, an in-house automatic movement and a very distinctive 'turtle' case.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. Technically, the reissue is an upgrade of the original. The water resistance is increased from 150 to 200M and the modern Seiko movement is an improvement. That's why this watch is top of my list. Perhaps your forebearer never owned such a watch, or at least never passed it down to you. That’s where I imagine the Seiko Recraft SNKP27 steps in. It’s a different sort of watch, offering the flair of yesteryear, crafted with modern parts, at a modern size. The Recraft gives you a sense of a connection to the past. And it should earn you plenty of compliments in the present. The affordable and vintage-inspired Seiko Recraft SNKP27 The Seiko Recraft Series Like the Captain Willard model, Seiko has listened to its customers. Many of whom favour slightly smaller watches. So the 1968 re-issue is 42mm - rather than the 44mm of previous models.

Seiko Recraft - Etsy UK Seiko Recraft - Etsy UK

Beyond the dial, the SNKP27 case is a large part of what sets this watch apart from so many others. And part of what makes it so appealing. Or perhaps unappealing, to those who just don’t connect with the watch’s unique aesthetic. Not your average round watch I love the look of this watch. The hands are similar to the Alpinist, but the overall appearance is closer to Blancpain's 1950s diver. 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. This is a versatile watch. More at home in the office than the previous two divers. It's ideal if you want more flexibility. It was at this point that Seiko built their debut dive watch. The name 62MAS comes from the watches features - an autoMAtic Selfdater.If you're familiar with Skin Diver watches you'll recognise that DNA in the Seiko. And the reissue faithfully recreates that aesthetic. 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 One interesting detail is the brushed lower edge of the case. Perhaps Seiko brushed the bottom third just to provide a bit more visual interest and make it feel more “finished”. Or maybe it was to make the tall, polished sides seem shorter. The slightly inset crown and polished side of the Recraft case

SEIKO WATCH | Always one step ahead of the rest. SEIKO WATCH | Always one step ahead of the rest.

Like many of the well-established watch brands, they've periodically reissued their best vintage models. The 62MAS was Seiko and Japan's first dive watch. It's the best place to start with a Seiko reissue. The dial is also familiar to fans of vintage Seiko divers. It has simple rectangular markers and straight hands. But despite these common features, it's a beautiful design. And this modern reinterpretation successfully captures the dive watch chic of the time. It's more affordable than some of the others on my list and features an in-house Calibre 4R35 automatic movement.

Still, it borrows heavily from the earlier design, successfully recreating an exciting era for the brand. But most are probably looking for that affordable standout piece in their collection, unlike anything else that they have. It will appeal to those who want vintage style and the look of craftsmanship from a past era. And it should appeal to people with the confidence to wear such an out of the ordinary watch, particularly in a time of featureless aluminum and glass slabs gracing so many wrists. The Seiko Recraft SNKP27 will stand out—and you will get noticed for wearing it. 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.