Jamie Weiss
Making a diving watch to commemorate more films to postpone people from ocean swimming than anyone else is actually dark and humorous. But that’s exactly what Seiko did to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaw, the iconic thriller/horror film that defined “a blockbuster” and was known as Steven Spielberg’s popular name. Seikos may not have appeared in the film itself, but the 1970s were the golden age of Seiko Dive Watches, and the original “Turtle” Ref. It debuted in 1976, just a year after the premiere of 6306-7000/1 Jaws. Perhaps that’s why Seiko took the iconic fictional great white shark and placed it on the dial of a modern turtle…
case
As mentioned in my introduction, this Jaws limited edition (SRPL81K becomes official about things) takes the shape of Seiko “Turtle”, one of the most famous diving watch case shapes of the Japanese brand. There are more cushion-shaped cases compared to “tuna” or “samurai”, but lack the crown guards found in the “Captain Willard” model (another Seiko design with a nickname taken from Hollywood).
Part of Seiko’s Tool Watch Center Prospex Collection, the SRPL81K shows a moderately large 45mm diameter with a 47.7mm lug-to-lug, with a thickness of 13.2mm. Its thick, awfully Knurled Bezel has a blue ceramic insert (unlike a vintage turtle) on top of a radially blurred stainless steel case, in contrast to its refined back and sides. Like almost all Seiko divers, you can find the crown at 4 o’clock. In this case, there is something very large.
Dial
The SRPL81K dial is the most unique feature, boasting an embossed depiction of Jaws’ main character, the murderous shark, and a silver-to-blue gradient effect with a blood jaw logo just below the central pinion. Seiko resisted the urge to get too cheap with this shark on the dial. In fact, it is a very conservative depiction, with the reflectivity of the dial treatment obscuring it at several angles. Otherwise, here’s the standard Seiko Dive Watch fair. Thick, easy-to-read indexes and hands filled with 3 o’clock date windows magnified with Lumibrite and double cyclops lenses.
strap
The Seiko SRPL81K is attached to a robust dark blue silicone strap with a single stainless steel keeper and an oversized steel pin buckle. The underside of the strap has a subtle beaded texture, which is relatively flexible and very comfortable on the wrist. I think Seiko might have missed the trick here. They could have made it a more obvious jaw collaboration, I don’t know. Again, it can be too cheap, and I think the subtlety of this collaboration is part of its appeal.
Movement
Under the hood of the SRPL81K, it breaks the company’s caliber 4R36, the main movement with 41 hours of power reserve and hacking seconds. 4R36 is basically a Seiko-only version of the NH36, and is very ubiquitous in the microbrand space, with the main difference being that 4R36 is made in Japan (NH36 is made in many countries). Otherwise, it is an apparent yet robust known amount. However, the handling on the caseback side is as follows: You can find laser engraved renderings of Orca, a Quint boat from Jaws.
verdict
Seiko has also played pop culture in celebration of Bruce Lee’s legacy, as well as in anime tie-in and video games like Street Fighter. So, one of the biggest films of the 70s, the retro diving watch, is not a complete shock to the system. It’s a bit unusual in that Seikos has never actually appeared in Jaws, but I feel that’s true. I also like that it’s not particularly obvious. When swimming on the clock, do you really want to think about shark attacks? It’s probably not, but of course I’m sure this will appeal to many people’s humor and jaw fans.
Seiko Prospex srpl81k Jaws 50th Anniversary Prices and Availability
Seiko Prospex srpl81k Jaws 50th Anniversary is a limited edition of 5,000 individually numbered pieces, currently available for pre-order and delivery is scheduled for July/August 2025. Price: $1,200
Brand Seiko Model Prospex Sea Divers Watch Mechanical Jaws 50th Anniversary Edition Reference Number SRPL81K Case Dimensions 45mm(D) x 13.2mm(T) x 47.7mm(LTL) Case Material Stainless Steel, Ceramic Bezel Insert Water Resistant 200m, Screw Type Lattice Crystal (s) Apphire Saphire with Dial with Magnifier Lug Width 22mm Strap Blue Silicone Strap, Steel Pin Buckle Movement 4R36, In-house, Automatic Power Reserve Function 41 Hours Function Time, Minutes, Seconds, Days, Date
