Jewellery & Watch News
Seiko’s highly collectible Arnie watch is back, this time with a trio of new models all designed in celebration of the watch’s 40th birthday. The Seiko Prospex Arnie Hybrid Divers 40th Anniversary collection includes a full steel model (SNJ033P1), a special PADI edition (SNJ035P1) and an exclusive black and red limited edition (SNJ037P1).
The Seiko Arnie is arguably one of the Japanese watch brand’s most highly collectible designs. First introduced in 1982, the H588 model became the world’s first hybrid divers instrument offering both an analog and digital display. It was the watch that began the popular “ana-digi” trend which sees the beauty of traditional watchmaking combined with multifunctional digital capability. The original Seiko H588 owes much of its success to Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-American actor and bodybuilder whose name now applies to the Seiko Arnie watch. He famously wore the H588 in his films Predator and Commando, making it a must-have for all action-movie lovers. In celebration of the model’s birthday, Seiko have launched three new Seiko Prospex Arnie Hybrid Diver’s 40th Anniversary watches inspired by the original.
Seiko Prospex Arnie Hybrid Diver’s 40th Anniversary SNJ033P1 Watch
First in the line-up of new Seiko Prospex Arnie Hybrid Diver’s 40th Anniversary watches is the full-steel reference SNJ033P1. Like the other two, it presents an imposing 46.9mm diameter and a height at 14.2mm and a new layout for the crowns. While previous Seiko Arnie watches hosted multiple crowns on the left hand side, we’re now treated to crowns at 8 o’clock and 2 o’clock for controlling the digital display and functions and a 3 o’clock crown for altering the analog hands. There’s also the addition of a fourth crown at 4 o’clock which controls a brand new diving mode.
The Seiko Prospex Arnie Hybrid Diver’s 40th Anniversary SNJ033P1 watch is defined by its stainless steel architecture which includes a matching steel unidirectional bezel with black aluminium insert and three-row link bracelet. We’re also promised a 200 metre water resistance, a smooth black dial and Lumibrite coated markers for the indexes and hands. The design also stands out for its subtle touches of red and blue on the tips of the crown. This watch is a permanent piece within the collection and retails at £610.
Seiko Prospex PADI Arnie Hybrid Diver’s 40th Anniversary SNJ035P1 Watch
The second piece in the Seiko Prospex Arnie Hybrid Diver’s 40th Anniversary watch collection is a special PADI edition under reference SNJ035P1. Seiko are the only global watch brand allowed to design a professional divers watch in the official colours and logo of PADI (The Professional Association of Diving Instructors). As such, the Seiko Prospex Arnie PADI watch features a wonderful range of sky blue accents on the black dial, black aluminium bezel and on the crown at 4 o’clock. The PADI logo also appears at the centre.
New to the Seiko Prospex PADI Arnie Hybrid Diver’s 40th Anniversary SNJ035P1 watch and the other designs in the collection is a dive mode feature. This allows you to log up to 100 dives using the crown at 4 o’clock. The feature also offers depth reading up to 80 metres, rapid ascent notifications and you can switch between temperature and depth units. Other specs include a 46.9mm stainless steel case, 200 metre water resistance, Hardlex crystal glass and a solar-powered movement. It also differs for its black rubber strap closed by a pin buckle. Model SNJ035P1 is a permanent piece in the collection and retails at £570.
Seiko Prospex Commando Arnie Hybrid Diver’s 40th Anniversary SNJ037P1 Watch
Lastly, the Seiko Prospex Arnie Hybrid Diver’s 40th Anniversary watch collection reveals a limited edition design under reference SNJ037P1. This particular timepiece takes inspiration directly from the watch worn by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie Commando boasting a black coated 46.9mm stainless steel case, matching black coated bracelet and sporty red and blue accents on the crowns and seconds hand. To match, the unidirectional bezel is fitted with a black 60 minute insert and the dial is finished in black with Lumibrite hardware.
Like the other two models, the Seiko Prospex Commando Arnie Hybrid Diver’s 40th Anniversary SNJ037P1 watch is powered by a new solar quartz movement named the H855 Calibre. It features chronograph with digital readout, alarm function, dual time, a power reserve indicator and classic hands for the hours, minutes and seconds. We’re also promised the same Hardlex crystal glass, 200 metre water resistance and new dive mode functionality. The watch is a limited edition of 4,000 pieces and retails at £650.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Seiko Prospex Arnie Hybrid Diver’s 40th Anniversary watches and shop the collection for yourself, head over to the C W Sellors website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at [email protected].
