Seiko’s 20th anniversary Spring Drive watches blend tech and tradition

Seiko's newest masterpieces celebrate 20 years of revolutionary watch tech

By Triston Brewer Published August 4, 2025 11:36 AM

The Datsun 240Z and Prospex Speedtimer — Seiko Watches

Seiko is commemorating the 20th anniversary of its state-of-the-art Spring Drive technology with the release of an extraordinary collection blending Japanese precision with avant-garde design. The lineup features three limited edition models that showcase Seiko’s singular hybrid movement system, which combines mechanical and electronic elements to achieve unparalleled accuracy. At the heart The stunning SBGA493 lies at the heart of the timepiece, and features a mesmerizing ‘Snowflake’ dial rendered blue for the anniversary and representing the brand’s heritage and its progressive vision.

The Spring Drive legacy: the traditional meets state-of-the-art technology

What makes this collection truly stand out is the embodiment of Seiko’s Spring Drive innovation – a movement that maintains the soul of mechanical watchmaking while delivering quartz-like precision. The Spring Drive mechanism, developed after 28 years of research, eliminates the need for an escapement, instead using an electronic regulator to achieve an accuracy of ±1 second per day. The anniversary models present this innovative technology through exhibition casebacks, revealing the beautifully finished movements with special 20th-anniversary rotor designs.

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The Prospex SBDB037 dive watch displays Spring Drive’s robustness with a water resistance of 600 meters and luminescent ceramic bezel, while the Presage SBGY027 dress watch exudes elegance with its razor-thin 10.6mm case and power reserve indicator. Each timepiece comes with a specially designed presentation box containing a certificate of authenticity and a booklet chronicling Spring Drive’s fascinating history.

A milestone collection for discerning collectors

There are only 500 pieces available worldwide of this model, and Seiko’s Spring Drive 20th Anniversary collection serves as both a celebration of horological achievement and an investment in watchmaking’s future. These luxury watches perfectly encompass Seiko’s philosophy of staying progressive while respecting tradition, making them perfect accessories for collectors and enthusiasts alike to add to their collections.

Triston Brewer is a journalist, creative director, fashionisto, and jetsetting digital bon vivant. Brace yourself!

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Fashion & Style

Unimatic Diving Heritage Collection: A modern take on vintage dive watches

Unimatic’s latest release nods to dive watch history with modern flair

The Diving Heritage Collection, in blue

Noted Italian watch brand Unimatic is back with the Diving Heritage Collection, a series of luxury timepieces reimagining classic dive watch aesthetics through their signature minimalist aesthetic. The collection includes the Modello Quattro U4S-DH and U4H-DH, taking inspiration from 1960s dive watches but removes the unnecessary ornamentation for a clean, elegant look.

The 41mm stainless steel cases come with Unimatic’s trademark matte finishing, coupled with domed sapphire crystals for even more durability than previous models. The dials for this release come in black or blue, with larger luminescent markers and syringe hands for the best underwater readability yet. 12-hour bezel also are included with these timepieces — a nod to some of the earliest dive watches utilized for decompression tracking.

Fashion & Style

Oris Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph Ocean Green is the dive watch of summer

Swiss manufacturer adds fresh colorway to beloved neo-retro dive chronograph collection

Oris Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph

Oris has introduced a striking new colorway to its popular Divers Sixty-Five chronograph collection with the Ocean Green variant, adding fresh appeal to the brand's vintage-inspired dive watch series that has charmed enthusiasts for over a decade.
The Divers Sixty-Five collection, first revived in 2015 to celebrate Oris' iconic 1965 dive watch, has evolved into a comprehensive family of neo-retro divers that blend mid-century aesthetics with contemporary mechanics. This latest chronograph iteration continues that tradition while introducing an elegant Ocean Green and silver-grey color combination.
The 40mm stainless steel case measures 15.40mm thick with a 48mm lug-to-lug span, offering substantial wrist presence while maintaining vintage proportions. The unidirectional rotating bezel features a deep green aluminum insert that draws inspiration from natural elements, whether ocean depths or the forested hillsides surrounding Oris' historic Hölstein factory.
The dial presents a sophisticated contrast with its sunray silver-grey base complemented by dark green subdials for running seconds and 30-minute counter. Applied indices and hands filled with Super-LumiNova ensure legibility in low-light conditions, while the distinctive shield-shaped index at 12 o'clock maintains the collection's vintage character. Vintage-style pump pushers flank the screw-in fluted crown, reinforcing the timepiece's retro appeal.
Powering the chronograph is Oris calibre 771, based on the reliable Sellita SW510 movement. This modern automatic chronograph delivers a practical 62-hour power reserve while operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour. The movement includes a stop-seconds function for precise time setting, combining vintage aesthetics with contemporary chronograph performance.
The watch offers 100-meter water resistance suitable for recreational diving and water sports, maintaining the collection's aquatic heritage while serving as a versatile daily timepiece. The gently domed sapphire crystal and solid caseback complete the vintage-inspired design language.
Available from July 2025, Oris provides two options: a sustainably-sourced black Cervo Volante deer leather strap with steel pin buckle for CHF 4,000, or a stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp for CHF 4,200. The Ocean Green colorway demonstrates Oris' ability to refresh classic designs while maintaining their timeless appeal.

Fashion & Style

Blancpain’s $30K diving watch just got a shocking orange makeover

Swiss manufacturer bridges professional diving and lifestyle with vibrant Tech colorways

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech 45 promo shot

Blancpain has expanded its Fifty Fathoms Tech collection with a significant lifestyle update, introducing an interchangeable strap system and vibrant new colors that transform the professional diving instrument into a versatile everyday companion.
The 45mm Grade 23 titanium timepiece now enters the permanent collection with a revolutionary tool-free strap system, allowing wearers to switch between styles in seconds. Beyond classic black rubber, Blancpain introduces two summer-ready options: crisp white and vibrant orange straps that inject personality into the serious diving tool.
"When we developed the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa in 2023, it came from the question I asked myself: If the Fifty Fathoms was invented today, what would it look like?" explains Marc A. Hayek, President & CEO of Blancpain. "Now, I love that we can bring color and style into the Tech line, proving that a serious diver's watch can also have a lifestyle side."
The orange colorway isn't merely aesthetic; it matches the Tech's orange central seconds hand and TECH inscription on the dial, creating cohesive design harmony. The vibrant hue transforms the utilitarian timepiece into a statement piece suitable for summer cityscapes as well as coral reef exploration.
Technical capabilities remain uncompromised. The absolute black dial absorbs up to 97% of light, ensuring maximum legibility in murky depths while creating striking contrast with luminescent block-shaped appliques. The unidirectional 120-click ceramic bezel is optimized for use with gloved hands, while the helium escape valve maintains professional diving standards.
Powering the watch is Blancpain's automatic calibre 1315A, a 4Hz movement respected among collectors for its robust 120-hour power reserve, precision timekeeping, and beautifully finished architecture. The sapphire caseback reveals the movement's decorations, underscoring Blancpain's dedication to haute horlogerie even in utilitarian creations.
The interchangeable system addresses practical diving needs by offering straps in multiple lengths, crucial for divers wearing the watch over wetsuits while also perfecting everyday wear on bare wrists. The integrated rubber straps feature a discreet central lug system that maintains the watch's sleek profile.
At CHF 19,000 with two straps included, the updated Fifty Fathoms Tech demonstrates how traditional tool watches can evolve without compromising their core mission while embracing contemporary lifestyle demands.