The Seiko SLA033 is the Prospex 1970 Diver’s Re-creation Limited Edition: a 45 mm, 200 m automatic diver with an 8L35 movement, announced by Seiko on 21 March 2019 and limited to 2,500 pieces. It is a modern watch styled after Seiko’s 1970 diver, not a vintage piece. It is also no longer a current-catalogue release. This guide covers what Seiko publishes about it, how it relates to the original, and what the price figures do and don’t tell you. It rests on Seiko’s published specifications and launch announcement, not on a personal wear test.
What the SLA033 is
Seiko announced the SLA033 in March 2019 as a modern execution of its 1970 diver, with availability from July 2019 through Seiko boutiques and leading retail partners. Production was capped at 2,500 pieces worldwide, and the serial number is engraved on the case back. Seiko’s regional product page lists the reference as SLA033J1, in the Prospex Sea collection.
Fratello identifies the watch being recreated as the 6105-8110/9, the diver later nicknamed the “turtle”. So the answer to “is it a reissue of the 6105?” is: it is a re-creation of that design, built with a modern case, movement and crystal, rather than a copy of the 1970 watch.
Why the 1970 design matters
Seiko’s announcement singles out the crown placement. In its words: “The uniqueness of the design of the 1970 stemmed largely from the way that the crown, moved to the 4 o’clock position, was protected by the extension of the case around it.”
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- 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
Seiko also says the original diver was worn by Japanese adventurer Naomi Uemura on a solo dog-sled journey from Greenland to Alaska, which it describes as 12,000 kilometers over eighteen months. These are Seiko’s own historical claims.
Specifications
| Item | Seiko-published detail |
|---|---|
| Reference | SLA033 (product page: SLA033J1) |
| Movement | Caliber 8L35, automatic with manual winding, 28,800 vibrations per hour, 26 jewels, date and stop-seconds |
| Precision | +15 to −10 seconds per day (Seiko regional product page) |
| Power reserve | Approximately 50 hours |
| Case | Stainless steel with super-hard coating; stainless steel bezel |
| Diameter / thickness | 45.0 mm / 13.0 mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 49.7 mm |
| Crystal | Dual-curved sapphire, anti-reflective coating on the inner surface |
| Water resistance | 200 m / 660 ft diver’s |
| Diver features | Unidirectional rotating bezel, screw-down crown, screw case back |
| Band / lug width | Silicone band; 19 mm between lugs |
Seiko’s launch announcement describes the original 1970 watch as 150 m water resistant. The 200 m rating belongs to the SLA033 only.
Rank #2
- 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
How big does it wear?
On paper, 45.0 mm across and 13.0 mm thick makes it a substantial watch, as the original turtle’s cushion case also was. The 49.7 mm lug-to-lug is the figure that matters most for fit, because it is shorter than the diameter might suggest. Compare it with the lug-to-lug of a watch you already wear well, and measure your wrist flat before judging. Seiko’s numbers cannot tell you how the case sits on a particular wrist.
Strap and accessories
The watch ships on silicone with a 19 mm lug width. That is an unusual size, so a search for “19 mm watch strap” is the natural starting point for alternatives. Before buying, check the end shape, because the case extensions around the lugs may limit which straps fit cleanly. Also check spring bars and the buckle. A basic spring-bar tool is enough for changing straps, but it is a generic accessory and not something Seiko specifies.
Rank #3
- Iconic Promaster watches with advanced functions designed to venture to the deepest depths.
- 3 Hand, Date
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Luminous Hands and Markers and Anti-Reflective Mineral Crystal
- Featuring our Eco-Drive technology – powered by light, any light. 200 Meters Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
What did it cost, and what does it cost now?
Seiko’s 2019 announcement gave an approximate European recommended retail price of €4,350. That is a launch-era figure and says nothing about today’s market. Regional Seiko pages show other market-specific prices. One Singapore page lists SGD 6,301.30 and a UK page surfaced at GBP 3,850, and the two should not be read as one universal price. Current stock, resale values and condition vary by seller. Check recent completed sales and the seller’s authenticity and condition details, and ask for the engraved serial number and edition documentation.
Comparing it with the vintage 6105 or other re-creations
- Design fidelity: the 4 o’clock crown and protective case extension are the signature features to compare.
- Fit: compare diameter, thickness and lug-to-lug, not just the headline size.
- Movement and precision: the SLA033 lists +15 to −10 s/day and about 50 hours of reserve, with hand-winding.
- Water resistance: 200 m for the SLA033 versus the 150 m Seiko cites for the original.
- Scarcity and price: 2,500 pieces, with a dated launch price rather than a current one.
The Bottom Line
The SLA033 suits a buyer who wants the 1970 diver’s look with modern specs: a hand-windable 8L35, sapphire and 200 m rating. It also suits someone comfortable with 45 mm and a 49.7 mm lug-to-lug. Since it is a sold-out limited edition, treat the 2019 price as history and judge any offer on condition and documentation.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 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
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.
