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Seiko unveils new Prospex and VANAC models
Seiko unveils new Prospex and VANAC models
Chronoholic News Desk
Mar 19, 2026
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News
Seiko unveils new Prospex and VANAC models
Seiko unveils new Prospex and VANAC models
Chronoholic News Desk
Mar 19, 2026

Seiko has expanded two of its most sought-after collections with the Prospex Marinemaster 1968 Heritage Diver’s Watch and King Seiko VANAC, introducing multiple models. The Prospex line gains two Marinemaster diver models, one a limited edition created in collaboration with the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), and the other a permanent addition to its catalogue. For the three new VANAC models, Seiko has chosen titanium for its light weight, corrosion resistance, and robustness. Powering the new timepieces is Seiko’s latest in-house automatic Calibre 8L45, which operates at 4 Hz and offers a 72-hour power reserve with an accuracy rating of +10 to −5 seconds per day, thanks to Seiko’s proprietary Spron alloy, utilised for the mainspring and hairspring.

Seiko Prospex Marinemaster 1968 Heritage Diver’s Watch

Seiko’s association with professional diving and marine exploration dates back to 1965, when the brand created Japan’s first-ever diver’s watch. Three years later, its first 300-metre water-resistant model made its debut. Over the decades, Seiko has refined its diver’s watches through technical development and real-world testing, including trials conducted in 1983 aboard the SHINKAI 2000 submersible, where 600-metre-rated models were successfully evaluated in partnership with JAMSTEC.

Building on that relationship, the new additions draw inspiration from this shared history of exploration, particularly JAMSTEC’s ongoing Arctic research initiatives and the completion of its icebreaking research vessel Mirai II. The collaboration model features a textured blue dial reminiscent of the path carved by an icebreaker through sea ice, symbolising scientific progress in extreme environmental conditions. This is expressed through a vertically graded blue tone that deepens towards the centre, finished with a thick transparent coating and polished surface to reflect the visual depth of the Arctic Ocean. A blue ceramic bezel complements the dial while offering enhanced scratch resistance. The caseback is engraved with “JAMSTEC LIMITED EDITION” and individually numbered within a production run of 1,000 pieces.

The regular production model comes with a black dial, marking the first continuous Prospex watch powered by the Calibre 8L45 movement. This version follows the design language of the original 1968 diver, prioritising underwater legibility through a deep black dial with a fine-grain texture that reduces light reflection. The applied indices feature bevelled edges to catch light from multiple angles, improving visibility in low-light conditions. Lumibrite is applied to the hands and indices for enhanced visibility.

The watches are housed in stainless steel cases with a super-hard coating and measure 42.6 mm in diameter with a thickness of 14.1 mm. These are topped by a dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface, a ceramic bezel insert, a screw-down crown positioned at 4 o’clock, and a screw caseback. Water resistance is rated to 300 metres for professional diving, with magnetic resistance of 4,800 A/m.

Both models are fitted with a stainless steel bracelet featuring a three-fold clasp with push-button release and a slide-adjuster system. The updated clasp allows on-the-fly extension of up to 16 mm in 2 mm increments and can be adjusted even while closed, ensuring ease of use and comfort during wear.

The Seiko Prospex Marinemaster 1968 Heritage Diver’s Watch is priced at approximately INR 4,06,000, while the JAMSTEC limited edition is priced at approx. INR 4,38,000.

King Seiko VANAC

The King Seiko VANAC collection has been expanded with three new titanium models, continuing the revival of the series first introduced in 1972 and relaunched in 2022.

The new references, HKF001, HKF002, and HKF003, feature cases and bracelets crafted entirely from titanium, offering improved durability, corrosion resistance, and a weight reduction of approximately 40 per cent compared to stainless steel. The watches maintain the signature VANAC case architecture, characterised by sharp facets, angular geometry, and a bezel-less design that creates a relatively slim visual profile. The integrated bracelet flows directly from the case and is constructed with short links that form horizontal lines across the wrist with alternating mirror-polished and brushed surfaces.

Like previous models in the line, the dial design takes inspiration from Tokyo’s urban landscape and the sensation of speed within the city. A layered pattern combines horizontal lines with radial elements extending from the centre, evoking the experience of driving along highways towards the skyline. The collection is offered in purple, grey, and black colour variants, each reflecting different moments of the city – the calm tones of dawn, the geometry of daytime urban architecture, and the motion and energy of the city at night.

The watches measure 41 mm in diameter and 14.3 mm in thickness, topped with anti-reflective sapphire crystals and a see-through caseback. Water resistance is rated at 100 metres and magnetic resistance at 4,800 A/m. The titanium bracelet is secured with a three-fold clasp featuring a push-button release for ease of use.

The King Seiko VANAC titanium models are priced at approximately INR 4,25,000 each.

All the new releases will be available for purchase from July 2026.

Images - Courtesy Seiko India

Seiko
Marinemaster
Prospex
King Seiko
Seiko VANAC
JAMSTEC
Calibre 8L45
Chronoholic News Desk
Mar 19, 2026
News
Seiko unveils new Prospex and VANAC models
Two Prospex Marinemaster expand Seiko’s diving watch line alongside three VANAC models in titanium, all powered by Seiko’s latest in-house automatic Calibre 8L45
Chronoholic News Desk
March 19, 2026

Seiko has expanded two of its most sought-after collections with the Prospex Marinemaster 1968 Heritage Diver’s Watch and King Seiko VANAC, introducing multiple models. The Prospex line gains two Marinemaster diver models, one a limited edition created in collaboration with the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), and the other a permanent addition to its catalogue. For the three new VANAC models, Seiko has chosen titanium for its light weight, corrosion resistance, and robustness. Powering the new timepieces is Seiko’s latest in-house automatic Calibre 8L45, which operates at 4 Hz and offers a 72-hour power reserve with an accuracy rating of +10 to −5 seconds per day, thanks to Seiko’s proprietary Spron alloy, utilised for the mainspring and hairspring.

Seiko Prospex Marinemaster 1968 Heritage Diver’s Watch

Seiko’s association with professional diving and marine exploration dates back to 1965, when the brand created Japan’s first-ever diver’s watch. Three years later, its first 300-metre water-resistant model made its debut. Over the decades, Seiko has refined its diver’s watches through technical development and real-world testing, including trials conducted in 1983 aboard the SHINKAI 2000 submersible, where 600-metre-rated models were successfully evaluated in partnership with JAMSTEC.

Building on that relationship, the new additions draw inspiration from this shared history of exploration, particularly JAMSTEC’s ongoing Arctic research initiatives and the completion of its icebreaking research vessel Mirai II. The collaboration model features a textured blue dial reminiscent of the path carved by an icebreaker through sea ice, symbolising scientific progress in extreme environmental conditions. This is expressed through a vertically graded blue tone that deepens towards the centre, finished with a thick transparent coating and polished surface to reflect the visual depth of the Arctic Ocean. A blue ceramic bezel complements the dial while offering enhanced scratch resistance. The caseback is engraved with “JAMSTEC LIMITED EDITION” and individually numbered within a production run of 1,000 pieces.

The regular production model comes with a black dial, marking the first continuous Prospex watch powered by the Calibre 8L45 movement. This version follows the design language of the original 1968 diver, prioritising underwater legibility through a deep black dial with a fine-grain texture that reduces light reflection. The applied indices feature bevelled edges to catch light from multiple angles, improving visibility in low-light conditions. Lumibrite is applied to the hands and indices for enhanced visibility.

The watches are housed in stainless steel cases with a super-hard coating and measure 42.6 mm in diameter with a thickness of 14.1 mm. These are topped by a dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface, a ceramic bezel insert, a screw-down crown positioned at 4 o’clock, and a screw caseback. Water resistance is rated to 300 metres for professional diving, with magnetic resistance of 4,800 A/m.

Both models are fitted with a stainless steel bracelet featuring a three-fold clasp with push-button release and a slide-adjuster system. The updated clasp allows on-the-fly extension of up to 16 mm in 2 mm increments and can be adjusted even while closed, ensuring ease of use and comfort during wear.

The Seiko Prospex Marinemaster 1968 Heritage Diver’s Watch is priced at approximately INR 4,06,000, while the JAMSTEC limited edition is priced at approx. INR 4,38,000.

King Seiko VANAC

The King Seiko VANAC collection has been expanded with three new titanium models, continuing the revival of the series first introduced in 1972 and relaunched in 2022.

The new references, HKF001, HKF002, and HKF003, feature cases and bracelets crafted entirely from titanium, offering improved durability, corrosion resistance, and a weight reduction of approximately 40 per cent compared to stainless steel. The watches maintain the signature VANAC case architecture, characterised by sharp facets, angular geometry, and a bezel-less design that creates a relatively slim visual profile. The integrated bracelet flows directly from the case and is constructed with short links that form horizontal lines across the wrist with alternating mirror-polished and brushed surfaces.

Like previous models in the line, the dial design takes inspiration from Tokyo’s urban landscape and the sensation of speed within the city. A layered pattern combines horizontal lines with radial elements extending from the centre, evoking the experience of driving along highways towards the skyline. The collection is offered in purple, grey, and black colour variants, each reflecting different moments of the city – the calm tones of dawn, the geometry of daytime urban architecture, and the motion and energy of the city at night.

The watches measure 41 mm in diameter and 14.3 mm in thickness, topped with anti-reflective sapphire crystals and a see-through caseback. Water resistance is rated at 100 metres and magnetic resistance at 4,800 A/m. The titanium bracelet is secured with a three-fold clasp featuring a push-button release for ease of use.

The King Seiko VANAC titanium models are priced at approximately INR 4,25,000 each.

All the new releases will be available for purchase from July 2026.

Images - Courtesy Seiko India

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