Prospex Alpinist 145th Anniversary Limited Edition HBC006

"Edo Purple" for 145 Years

The original Seiko "Laurel" Alpinist from 1959 was purpose-built to withstand the demands of harsh wilderness environments and meet the needs of mountain climbers and recreational field sports enthusiasts. It had a screw back to prevent dust and sand from entering the case and a sturdy leather cuff strap to protect the watch from perspiration. The luminous indexes and hour and minute hands ensured high legibility in the dark. This feature became central to the design of many subsequent Seiko sports watches and remains so to this day.

As Seiko marks its 145th anniversary, the venerable Japanese maker presents a new series of limited-edition timepieces. Representing the traditions that were born in Edo and passed on to modern Tokyo, as well as the spirit of creativity that defines Japan’s largest city, Edo purple-inspired colors serve as a central design element across the commemorative models. Guided by its founding philosophy to be “Always one step ahead of the rest,” Seiko continues to take on new challenges while remaining closely connected to people’s lives through time. Each model also incorporates gold-colored accents that express Seiko’s enduring commitment to enriching lives with joy and beauty.

In keeping with these traditions of exploration, the new Seiko Prospex Alpinist returns with its inner rotating compass bezel (operated via the crown at 4H) and a sunburst dial now with the 'Alpinist' wordmark at 12:00. This reference is powered by Seiko's own 6R55 automatic movement, which boasts high reliability and a generous three-day power reserve. Its 39.5mm stainless steel case is finished with a super-hard coating which shrugs off scratches and retains its luster over many years of faithful service in the field.