I’ll just be honest. I’ve never really connected with Seiko’s Save the Ocean editions. Not in a cynical way, just in an eyebrow-raise sort of way where I look at the dial textures and the themed color stories and think, this one probably isn’t for me. They always felt a bit louder than what I tend to enjoy from Seiko, especially when the brand already does great color work without leaning on ocean narratives.
So when the newest 1965 Heritage Diver Save the Ocean limited edition came across my screen, I expected to process it the same way I’ve processed the others. Quick glance, mild appreciation, move on. Except this one stopped me for a minute. And that surprised me more than anything in the actual specs.
Seiko pulled inspiration from the waters around Okinawa and landed on a color they’re calling Tranquil Teal. Normally, this is where I’d assume the concept would overshadow the execution, but the early images show a sunburst treatment that seems deeper than the standard midrange Seiko dial. Nothing ornate or carved out like what Grand Seiko is famous for—just a clean sunburst with enough structure to make the tone seem intentional.
The gray bezel insert softens the whole palette. White indices and hands add clarity. It’s straightforward, which is probably why it works for me in a way previous Save the Ocean designs haven’t.
The only part that pulls me out of the moment is the date window. Same round 4:30 placement as other models in the line, but since the disc isn’t color-matched, it announces itself more than usual. Color-matched dates aren’t a new trick for Seiko, so its absence here stands out a bit.
Seiko included its newer microadjust clasp on this version. Six increments at 2.5mm each for a total of 15mm of travel. On paper, that sort of adjustability is genuinely practical, especially for a diver on a steel bracelet. The design of the opened clasp looks pretty utilitarian, almost like a diver extension, but function is clearly the priority here.
Everything else stays within the established framework. A 40mm super-hard-coated stainless steel case. A screw-down crown at 3:00. 300 meters of water resistance. The 6R55 movement with its three-day power reserve. Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the underside.
Four thousand pieces isn’t limited in the way collectors usually interpret the term, but it is limited in the way Seiko uses it. In practice, that means anyone who wants one will probably be able to buy one, which keeps the focus where it should be: on the design, not on scarcity. The price lands at $1,400—a slight increase over similar non-limited versions, justified mainly by the clasp update and the new dial.
I didn’t expect to care about another Save the Ocean diver. I really didn’t. But something about this one feels more grounded than the series usually aims for. A simple color story, a dial that doesn’t try too hard, and a bracelet upgrade that matters in everyday wear. Even without handling it, I can appreciate the restraint.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.