Seiko Prospex Automatic Heritage Diver's GMT 1968 black dial steel bracelet 42 mm

The heritage of Seiko’s 1968 professional diver

The Seiko Prospex HBC002J1 continues the legacy of one of the most iconic Japanese dive watches ever produced: Seiko’s 1968 professional diver. Introduced during the golden age of underwater exploration, the original model demonstrated Seiko’s ability to create robust instruments capable of competing with the finest dive watches of the era.

More than fifty years later, this modern Prospex model retains the key design and technical elements that made its predecessor famous: a robust case, outstanding legibility, a screw-down crown positioned at 4 o’clock and a construction engineered for demanding environments.

The HBC002J1 honours this heritage while incorporating the features expected from a contemporary tool watch, including a GMT function and 300 metres of water resistance.

A striking blue interpretation inspired by the ocean

This reference stands out thanks to its beautiful sunray blue dial whose reflections evoke the depths of the ocean. Depending on the light, the colour reveals different shades, giving the watch remarkable presence on the wrist.

The blue ceramic unidirectional bezel reinforces the maritime inspiration while providing excellent scratch resistance. Its glossy appearance contrasts elegantly with the brushed finishes of the case and bracelet.

The large hands and applied indexes are generously coated with LumiBrite to ensure outstanding readability in all conditions. The GMT hand adds practical functionality by allowing the wearer to track a second time zone at a glance.

A modern professional diver rated to 300 metres

The 42 mm stainless steel case offers balanced proportions with a thickness of 13.3 mm and a lug-to-lug measurement of 48.6 mm. True to the Prospex philosophy, it provides a strong wrist presence while maintaining excellent comfort.

The screw-down crown positioned at 4 o’clock, a signature feature of Seiko dive watches, enhances ergonomics while improving protection. The sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating ensures excellent visibility, while the screw-down case back contributes to the watch's durability.

With 300 metres of water resistance, the HBC002J1 fully qualifies as a true professional dive watch, ready for underwater adventures as well as everyday wear.

The in-house 6R54 GMT calibre

The Seiko Prospex HBC002J1 is powered by the in-house automatic calibre 6R54. Developed for Prospex GMT models, this movement displays a second time zone through a dedicated 24-hour hand.

Operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, it features 24 jewels and delivers an impressive power reserve of approximately 72 hours. Manual winding capability and a stop-seconds function further enhance everyday usability.

This combination of reliability, autonomy and functionality makes the 6R54 an ideal companion for adventurers and frequent travellers alike.

A steel bracelet with micro-adjustable clasp

The HBC002J1 is fitted with a robust stainless steel bracelet designed to withstand both everyday wear and demanding diving conditions.

Its latest-generation folding clasp incorporates a tool-free micro-adjustment system, allowing instant resizing to accommodate natural wrist expansion. Spread across six positions of approximately 2.5 mm each, it provides up to 15 mm of quick adjustment.

With the HBC002J1, Seiko delivers a modern GMT dive watch that successfully combines historical heritage, professional performance and exceptional wearing comfort.