In recent years, Seiko has re-classified its primary sports models into four different categories, and the Prospex LX is the top of the range.
What was initially the Prospex line has been broken into 5 Sports ($300 or less) at the entry-level, then the Prospex ($500-900), Prospex Luxe ($800-$2K), and Prospex LX ($5.5K+).
The Prospex LX Sky Gradation Dial Limited Edition comes in a 44.8 mm diameter titanium case with a matching bracelet and both are treated with a super-hard coating to reduce scratches. The dial features prominent applied hour markers, pencil-shaped hour and minute hands, a date aperture at 3, a power reserve indicator at 8, and a blued arrow-tipped central 24-hour GMT hand.
As the name suggests, the Prospex LX Sky Gradation Dial features a unique gradient dial that’s dark blue-black on the top half and light blue on the lower half, which according to Seiko, is inspired by “The stratosphere. The dual-color blue and black gradation dial and sapphire bezel express the boundary of the sky as seen by a spaceship pilot.”
A half black and half blue Batman-style bidirectional 24-hour bezel surround the dial, which can combine with the two dial hour hands to display up to 3 time zones simultaneously.
Equipped with an automatic caliber 5R66, this Spring Drive GMT watch can display the time in up to 3 time zones simultaneously.
Seiko and Grand Seiko both utilize the company’s proprietary Spring Drive movement technology which combines traditional mechanical watch components — such as bridges, jewels, gears, and a mainspring — with a high precision integrated circuit (IC) control system of an electronic watch to regulate the watch. The resulting hybrid movement has a high accuracy rate of – 1/+ 1 second per day or -/+ 15 seconds per month — similar to quartz — but with a second hand that smoothly sweeps like a typical mechanical, only smoother.
The automatic caliber 5R66 Spring Drive movement has 30 jewels and its single mainspring power barrel can hold a maximum reserve of 72-hours.
A sapphire crystal protects the dial, along with a titanium screw-down crown and caseback. Water-resistance is rated to 100 meters.
Prospex LX Sky Gradation Dial Limited Edition (Ref. SNR049) is limited to 400 pieces with the individual serial number engraved on caseback. Available November 2020. Retail is $5,500.
