It’s always an exciting day when Seiko reveals a novelty. An excitement amplified by the fact that two new watches are being released! I’m referring to the new special edition releases for the Seiko Prospex Save The Ocean line. These take the form of a Seiko Monster (SRPH75K1) and a Baby Tuna (SRPH77K1). Though the base models are not new, the color combination and dial are. Both watches feature the signature textured dials that we have come to enjoy from this line of watches. So how do these two new divers hold up in the metal? Well, the undeniable charm of both Monster and Tuna not only shines through, but is complemented by the metal bezels, lovely blue textured dials, and yellow accents.

If you’ve been into watches even a matter of minutes, the name Seiko will already ring plenty of bells. The brand’s dive watches are a cornerstone for watch enthusiasts. So it’s no surprise that we receive plenty of novelties in this sector each and every year. I don’t know about you, but being spoiled for choice when it comes to dive watches is something I’ll never grow tired of. Not only in price range, but also in style, design, and color. These two latest releases in the brand’s Prospex Save The Ocean line come in just above some of the most affordable options in the brand’s catalog. However, don’t let the reasonable price tag fool you. In terms of design, execution, and features, these watches pack plenty of punch. And for those who grow tired of black-dial and/or black-bezel divers, these are the perfect way to add something different to your collection.

The Seiko SRPH75K1 — Save The Ocean “Monster”

The Seiko Monster is a legendary dive watch. Though no longer one of the most popular models, which tend to be those in the Turtle family, it is still an iconic dive watch. The chunky 42.4mm case, with relatively short lugs, a 4 o’clock crown, and a big steel bezel is significant. Yet the aforementioned short lugs (48mm lug-to-lug) make it perfectly wearable, even on the steel bracelet. Though this modern Monster is a bit more refined than its predecessor, it still holds a lot of DNA from the original Seiko diver. Namely in the large Lumibrite coated hands, chunky markers, and day/date indication. This particular model comes with a rectangular cyclops on the Hardlex mineral crystal.

Inside this 13mm tall watch is Seiko’s automatic 4R36 movement. This 24-jewel machine provides 41 hours of power reserve. It also features hacking seconds and hand-winding. This means you won’t find yourself doing the Seiko shake to wake this one up. Instead, a few turns of the crown will bring the movement to life. When the crown is screwed back down, you’ll enjoy 200m of water resistance. This is an ISO 6425 diver’s watch, which means that it will keep up with anything you throw at it. And for those of us who actually enjoy the occasional dive, it will make a more than worthy companion. A nice detail that appears on both of these watches is the yellow accent on the second’s hand, which contrasts nicely with the blue dial.

The Seiko SRPH77K1 — Save The Ocean “Tuna”

Speaking of the dial, the Baby Tuna model also features the lovely ombre blue dial. Like many of Seiko’s Save The Ocean models, it features a subtle engraving of a swimming penguin. Both the engraving and the colors, ranging from a deep dark blue to a wonderful shade of teal, are a reminder of the beauty and importance of Antarctica’s wildlife and landscapes. And speaking of wildlife, let’s talk fish. The Seiko Tuna is another legendary dive watch. It’s a design that’s been around since 1975. But this version does not match the up-to 49mm size of its forebears. In fact, it comes in at just 43.2mm in diameter and 13mm tall. This may still sound substantial, but the virtual lack of lugs means that the watch is extremely wearable.

As you can see, it suits Sofia’s slim wrist perfectly in the shot above. The watch felt just as comfortable on my larger wrist, however, which speaks volumes for this model’s versatility. The blue rubber strap matches the dial perfectly and helps the bright yellow second hand shine. This new Tuna model has hands more similar to those on the SKX and Turtle models, which I think gives it a more subdued look which suits the more pedestrian size. A subtle date window at the 4:30 position blends nicely into the dial thanks to the black date wheel with white numerals. On the wrist, you forget it’s there. But should you ever need to know the date at a pinch: it is indeed there! I’d say this is definitely my favorite of the two models.

Final thoughts

Seiko kicks off 2022 the right way — with two brilliant new dive watches. These two special-edition models are a great addition to the Save The Ocean line and come in at a more than reasonable price point. The SRPH75K1 Monster has an RRP of RM2,090, and the SRPH77K1 Tuna will retail for RM2,180. Another thing to note, other than the RM90 price difference, is that the Tuna is powered by the Seiko 4R35 movement instead of the 4R36. However, this will not make much of a difference to the wearers, as both movements are equally feature-packed.