Seiko finally unveiled the long-anticipated revival of their 6117 Navigator Timer, a vintage gem from 1968 that holds a special place in the hearts of Seiko collectors worldwide. The timing couldn’t be better, given the recent emergence of their new GMT movements. Enter the SPB411, the Seiko Prospex Land Mechanical GMT Limited Edition. This new release pays homage to an iconic ’60s watch, and what I’d consider one of the coolest pilot watches ever.
The telltale signs of the 6117 are right there in the SPB411. Even though the “Navigator Timer” label might have disappeared from the dial, Seiko stayed generally close to the design. They also still stuck with an even two lines of text on either side of the dial. The cushion case, the 24-hour rotating bezel, and that slate gray dial reminiscent of the original are all faithfully recreated. You also get the rectangular hour markers, slim baton hands with lume, and a snazzy red-arrow GMT hand. It’s short! But just like the original.
One thing I’m not too crazy about is the sunray finish on the gray dial. Otherwise, you’ll spot a date window hanging out at 3 o’clock against a white backdrop. Most importantly, the case dimensions remain loyal to tradition, with the SPB411 measuring in at 38.5mm in diameter. Pretty close to the original.
The new Seiko Navigator Timer is powered by the Seiko 6R54. Although it doesn’t offer a local jumping hour hand for travel adjustments, it makes up for it in other ways, especially in size. It’s a big part of the reason we’re getting the 12.6mm case thickness here. The watch also comes with a classic five-link bracelet, box sapphire crystal, and a water resistance rating of 100m. These features collectively make the SPB411 a modern homage to a classic watch. As you probably know, the whole jumping local hour hand thing doesn’t really bug me—I’d still jump on this watch.
Seiko Prospex SPB411 Land Mechanical GMT Limited Edition Specs
- Case Diameter: 38.5mm
- Case Thickness: 12.6mm
- Lug to Lug: 45.2mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: Seiko 6R54
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- Crystal: Boxed Sapphire
- Bracelet: Matching stainless steel
- Price: $1,500 USD
The new Seiko Prospex Land Mechanical GMT, or SPB411, is a limited edition release, with just 4,000 pieces available. This limited-edition release is set to hit Seiko retailers in November for around $1,500, making it a noteworthy addition for GMT fans and Seiko collectors alike.
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.