Seiko PADI

Japanese watch titan Seiko has been a proud partner of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) since 2016. PADI is the largest training organization for divers and operates over 6,500 schools worldwide. In addition to training divers, the organization is passionate about protecting the oceans.

As part of the collaboration, Seiko releases special PADI editions of some of their most popular diving models. While usually technologically identical to the standard editions, these timepieces feature the PADI logo on their dials and have a red and blue color scheme. They also tend to be made of stainless steel and are all water-resistant to at least 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft). Each watch gets its power from a high-precision automatic or quartz caliber.

Some of the most highly coveted PADI editions include the Turtle SRPA21K1, Monster Tuna SRPA83K1, Samurai SRPB99K1, and Prospex Automatic Diver's SPB017J1. The 2019 Solar Arnie SNJ027P1 is also growing in popularity.

In 2016, the Prospex SRPA21K1 became one of the first timepieces to receive the PADI treatment. It is a new take on the popular Seiko Turtle diving watch. The Turtle gets its nickname because its case resembles a turtle shell. Another defining feature of this 45-mm stainless steel watch is its sunken crown at 4 o'clock.

The SRPA21K1 follows the typical PADI color scheme with its red and blue Pepsi bezel , blue sunburst dial, and the red outline of the minute hand. White luminous material coats the large indices and hands, creating a beautiful contrast.

The proven automatic caliber 4R36 lends this watch its 41-hour power reserve, stop seconds mechanism, and day-date display at 3 o'clock. Prices for this timepiece sit between 330 USD for a pre-owned watch and 430 USD for a new model.

If you'd prefer something a bit smaller, you may enjoy the Baby Turtle SRPC41K1. This watch has the same unique turtle-shaped case but measures only 42 mm in diameter. It also has a Pepsi bezel and a minute hand outlined in red. However, it exchanges the blue sunburst dial and day display for a matte black dial and cyclops lens. This version costs about 390 USD in mint condition and 350 USD pre-owned.

One year after the release of the PADI Turtle, Seiko reimagined yet another of their popular diving watches as a PADI model. The result was the Monster Tuna ref. SRPA83K1. This watch measures 50 mm in diameter, making it the largest PADI timepiece.

Like all Tunas, this model has a distinctive outer shell that protects the inner stainless steel case against impacts. The outer case of the PADI edition is made of matte blue ceramic. The unidirectional diving bezel, rubber strap, and dial are also matte blue. There are red accents on the minute and second hands, day-date window, and the first 15 minutes of the bezel's hour scale. The other markers and hands are all stark white. The caliber 4R36 ticks away inside this timepiece.

Plan to spend around 600 USD on a never-worn edition. You can save about 110 USD by purchasing a pre-owned piece.

The Solar Arnie SNMJ027P1 joined the PADI family of watches in 2019. This model is closely related to the Tuna and also features a protective outer casing. Its black plastic forms an attractive frame for the red and blue Pepsi bezel and white hands and indices.

One of this timepiece's most notable details is its movement, the solar-powered quartz caliber H851 . In addition to a traditional analog time display, this movement comes with a digital LCD screen that you can use as a GMT display, stopwatch, or perpetual calendar. Push-pieces at 8 and 10 o'clock control the functions of the digital display.

Mint-condition models require an investment of roughly 490 USD. Pre-owned versions are currently hard to come by.

Seiko created the Prospex SRPB99K1 Samurai PADI edition diving watch in 2018. This timepiece has a black dial with an embossed wave pattern and large luminous indices and hands. A blue and red Pepsi bezel sits atop the stainless steel case. Including its distinctive lugs and crown guard, this model measures almost 44 mm in diameter. Inside the case, you'll find the in-house caliber 4R35 with a date display at 3 o'clock.

This diving watch costs about 410 USD new. Prices for well-maintained pre-owned pieces begin around 330 USD.

Seiko looked to their first professional diving watch, the 62MAS from 1965, when designing the Prospex Automatic Diver's 200M PADI Edition SPB071J1. In addition to a classic case shape, the SPB071J1 has sizable applied indices filled with white luminous material. The large hands also glow in the dark, so the wearer can always tell the time, even under poor lighting conditions.

The gradient dial fades from dark blue to black, with an embossed wave pattern adding further depth. The minute hand is outlined in red, and the markers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock provide additional bursts of red. Sapphire glass, a blue diving bezel with a black inlay, and a blue rubber strap round off this timepiece.

You can purchase one of these models new for about 870 USD. Pre-owned, these pieces cost roughly 110 USD less.

Another interesting PADI model is the solar-powered quartz chronograph SSC663P1. Thanks to the caliber V175, this watch can measure periods of time to within 1/5th of a second. It can also show the time in an additional time zone via a 24-hour display at 3 o'clock. Finally, there's a minute counter at 6, a small seconds at 9, and a date window at 4:30.

Like other PADI models, a Pepsi bezel surrounds the wavy black dial. Other features include luminous indices and a minute hand outlined in red.

You can call one of these chronographs your own for around 370 USD.