Seiko Revives Classic Dive Watch Heritage with Timeless Design and Iconic Features

Seiko’s 2024 Marinemaster is the latest reincarnation of their iconic dive watch, taking its design cues from the 1968 original just like it did in 2000. You guessed it – it’s the same basic index, handset, and bezel design we’ve seen before, but this time around it’s even better. Specifically, the water resistance has been bumped back up to 300 meters, reclaiming the Marinemaster’s classic rating after last year’s model maxed out at just 200 meters.

Looking at this beauty, it’s hard not to appreciate the massive 42.6mm case size – a return to the big dive watch days, Seiko style. Yeah, it’s not as tiny as last year’s release, and it’s actually a tad bigger than the SBDX001. But who’s complaining? The new Marinemaster is an oversized beast that’s built to impress.

The finishing on this thing is impressive, especially when you consider it’s still a relatively affordable watch. The case and bracelet are both stainless steel, coated with a hardened finish to resist scratches, and the crystal is sapphire. The finishing is polished, but perhaps not to the same extent as last year’s model – the bracelet, in particular, seems to be a notch down from that.

The Cal. 8L35 movement inside is an upgrade from the Cal. 6L37 found in last year’s Marinemaster, with a slightly longer 50-hour power reserve compared to 45 hours. All the major specs – jewels, beat rate, accuracy – are the same, but you can bet Seiko has refined their game here. And as for that iconic knurling on the bezel and crown, Seiko says they’ve made it easier to grip, showing a preference for function over flash. After all, this is a dive watch built for functionality, not just flash.

So what do we have here? A return to form for the Marinemaster, with all the classic Seiko elements you love: oversized case, sapphire crystal, hardened coating, and a new movement with a bit more oomph. Sounds like a winner to us.