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Seiko 62MAS: Japan’s First Diver’s Watch and Its Modern Legacy

Introduced in 1965, the Seiko 62MAS was Japan’s first diver’s watch. Here’s its history, expedition link and the difference between the vintage original and modern Heritage models.
Estimate3–4 min Catalogued SpecialistWatchRanker Team

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Introduced in 1965, the Seiko 62MAS was Japan’s first diver’s watch. Seiko describes the original as an automatic watch with 150 m water resistance; its heritage account also says members of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition wore it on four missions from 1966 onward. The 62MAS began Seiko’s diver-watch lineage, while today’s 1965 Heritage models are modern descendants—not vintage 62MAS watches.

What is the Seiko 62MAS?

“62MAS” is the name commonly used for Seiko’s 1965 diver’s watch. Seiko calls it “Japan’s first diver’s watch” and identifies it as an automatic model rated to 150 m. That national-first claim is well supported by Seiko’s historical material; it should not be stretched into a claim that the 62MAS was the world’s first professional diver’s watch.

Seiko places the 1965 watch at the start of its diver-watch development. Its history page goes on to describe later milestones, including a 300 m diver introduced in 1968 and a streamlined 150 m model in 1970. These are successive points in the brand’s history, not specifications that should be attributed to the original 62MAS.

Why is the 62MAS important?

A milestone for Japanese dive watches

The 62MAS established Seiko’s entry into diver’s watches and holds a notable place in the history of Japanese watchmaking. Its 150 m rating and automatic movement are the key specifications Seiko gives for the original; the company’s reviewed historical pages do not provide a complete technical sheet for every vintage reference or variation.

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StrapXPro(SPX1C) 20mm Watch Bands Men's Rubber Curved-End Watch Strap Replacement for Seiko Prospex 62MAS Modern Reinterpretation SPB/SBDC Series & Limited Edition Series Dive Watches SPB143, SPB239, SBDC103, SPB421, SLA067, etc. (Black)
  • 【Compatible with Seiko Prospex 62MAS Modern Re-interpretation Series】SPB143, SPB145, SPB147, SPB149, SPB213, SPB239, SPB253, SPB297, SPB419, SPB421, SPB423,SBDC101, SBDC103, SBDC105, SBDC107, SBDC139, SBDC141, SBDC153, SBDC163, SBDC165.
  • 【20mm Watch Band】This 20mm watch strap is compatibel with Seiko Prospex 62MAS watches with 22mm lug width and fits the wrist size 5.2inches to 8.2inches ( 133mm to 210mm). We provide four colors watchband paired up 3 colors buckles to meet your fashionable demand. StrapXPro replacement watch bands are suitable for any occasions and seasons, will be your wonderful companion.
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Use on Antarctic expeditions

Seiko’s heritage timeline says Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition members wore the watch on four missions from 1966 onward. The account supports that expedition connection, but it does not establish individual wearer names or more specific details about how the watch was used on each mission.

Designed for underwater timing

Seiko points to the rotating bezel, legibility and water resistance as features that helped divers track elapsed time underwater and monitor air supply. This is useful context for the watch’s role, but the 62MAS was not a PADI collaboration: Seiko says PADI was formed in 1966, while the Seiko Prospex partnership with PADI began in 2016.

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SEIKO SRPE05 Automatic Watch for Men - Prospex Automatic Diver, Green
  • KHAKI GREEN DIAL: this rugged sports watch features a khaki green dial patterned to mirror the shape of the bezel’s edge, with Lumibrite dial indicator hands and markers for low light and a magnified day/date calendar
  • BLACK BEZEL: this versatile men’s watch features a black ceramic unidirectional bezel with distinctive scalloped edging, for elapsed timing
  • AUTOMATIC & MANUAL: SRPE05 automatic watches for men power up with your natural movements, and feature the ability to wind manually, with 41 hours of reserve power
  • WATER-RESISTANT: these rugged stainless steel dive watches for men feature a khaki green silicon strap, and are both stylish and robust, following ISO standards for scuba, and are water-resistant to 200 meters
  • 4R36 CALIBER: equipped with the reliable 4R36 caliber, these precise men’s wrist watches ensure the most accurate timekeeping

How the 62MAS connects to modern Seiko divers

Seiko says it released modern reinterpretations of its 1965, 1968 and 1970 diver’s watches in 2022. Its description of the modern 1965 interpretation notes a deep-blue dial pattern inspired by polar glaciers and a black bezel. These reinterpretations draw on the earlier designs; they are not the same product as an original vintage 62MAS.

In a Japanese press release dated March 7, 2024, Seiko announced two regular 1965 Heritage models, SBDC195 and SBDC197, along with the 100th-anniversary special edition SBDC199. The release describes the regular models as continuing the 1965 design lineage and building on the 2020 SBDC101. Its listed specifications for SBDC195 and SBDC197 are:

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Rank #3
Sale
Seiko SRPF77 Automatic Watch for Men - Prospex Automatic Diver - Manta Ray Patterned Blue Dial with Day/Date, Rotating Bezel, 200m Water-Resistant
  • STUNNING BLUE DIAL: this rugged sports watch features a beautiful Manta Ray-patterned blue dial, with Lumibrite dial indicator hands and markers for low light and a magnified day/date calendar
  • BLACK BEZEL: this versatile men’s watch features a black ceramic unidirectional bezel with distinctive scalloped edging, for elapsed timing
  • AUTOMATIC & MANUAL: SRPF77 automatic watches for men power up with your natural movements, and feature the ability to wind manually, with 41 hours of reserve power
  • WATER-RESISTANT: these rugged stainless steel dive watches for men feature a deep blue silicone strap and are both stylish and robust, following ISO standards for scuba, and are water-resistant to 200 meters
  • 4R36 CALIBER: equipped with the reliable 4R36 caliber, these precise men’s wrist watches ensure the most accurate timekeeping
Specification SBDC195 and SBDC197
Movement Caliber 6R55
Power reserve Approximately 72 hours
Water resistance 300 m air-diving
Case diameter 40.0 mm, excluding the crown
Case thickness 13.0 mm
Case and bracelet Stainless steel
Crystal Curved sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating

Those figures are launch specifications from Seiko’s 2024 Japanese release, not specifications for the 1965 original. The release does not establish current availability in every country; check the relevant national Seiko catalog for local listings.

Vintage 62MAS or modern 1965 Heritage?

The choice is mainly between owning a historical watch and wearing a current-generation descendant. An original 62MAS offers vintage character and historical originality, while a modern Heritage model has contemporary materials and the specifications Seiko listed for its 2024 release. The generations should not be treated as interchangeable: the original’s complete technical details, condition and market value depend on the specific vintage watch, and the modern models have their own reference-specific specifications.

Rank #4
Sale
SEIKO SRPF03 Automatic Dive Watch for Men - Prospex Special Edition
  • WATER-RESISTANT: these water-resistant men's dive watches are ISO scuba-approved to depths of 200 meters
  • AUTOMATIC: these self-winding, automatic men's watches are powered by your movement, with a power reserve of 41 hours
  • STAINLESS STEEL: features a durable 43.8mm stainless steel watch case and bracelet.
  • LUMIBRITE DISPLAY: this men's automatic watch features a highly-legible display with LumiBrite hands and markers
  • 4R35 CALIBER: equipped with the reliable caliber 4R35 automatic movement, this accurate men's watch keeps precise time
  • Consider a vintage 62MAS if the appeal is owning the historic 1965 model. Have the exact reference, condition and service history assessed; Seiko’s historical overview does not establish a universal current price or investment value.
  • Consider a modern 1965 Heritage model if you want a contemporary watch inspired by the original and prefer the published modern specifications. Confirm the reference and current availability in your market before buying.
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What the 62MAS name does—and does not—mean

Use “62MAS” for the historic 1965 watch, and distinguish it from later reinterpretations and current 1965 Heritage references such as SBDC195 and SBDC197. The lineage connects them, but it does not make their movements, dimensions, water resistance or condition equivalent. Seiko’s historical pages substantiate the original’s 150 m rating; the 300 m air-diving rating belongs to the named 2024 Heritage models.

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SEIKO Genuine Divers Urethane Rubber Watch Band DAL0BP 22mm
  • SKX007 SKX009 etc.
  • Lug width (the width of the watch body) --- 22mm
  • Until 6:00 side longest hole ----- about 110mm
  • Buckle width --- 20mm 12:00 side buckle tip to ---- about 98mm

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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