Seiko Save The Ocean “King Samurai” Watch Review

Seiko releases a new “King” version of the Samurai watch for its environmentally aware Save The Ocean collection. Meet the new Seiko Save The Ocean King Samurai ref: SRPF79K1

The Seiko Samurai has always been a popular watch to own. It originally launched back in 2004 and featured a 200-meter water-resistant rating, beefed up in a large sturdy case. The steel versions had the unmistakable Clous de Paris decoration to their dials, whilst the titanium versions were sadly discontinued in 2008. When the Samurai dive watch was phased out by Seiko, enthusiasts had to go for a decade without it. Pray as they may have done, collectors feared the watch would never return.  Eventually, they were pleasantly surprised to learn that the Samurai would make a comeback in a limited edition form of just 6000 pieces worldwide. As expected, these were sold out instantly and those that didn’t get the chance to grab one for themselves were well and truly out of luck. That hat was until 2017 when Seiko released a family of four models. A sharper, bolder and more masculine look gave the Seiko Samurai a revamped aesthetic. Seiko then improved its choice of materials, strengthening its design further during the middle of 2020, and “King” was its name.

This year, Seiko has released a King Turtle and King Samurai watch as part of its mission to support conservation projects and raise awareness of global issues like the deterioration of marine habitats. It’s the King Samurai version we’re going to be looking at today. Seiko has a multifaceted dive watch range, with models that span from the affordable to the more high-end timepiece. Each dive watch from Seiko, however, is equipped with a spec list offering all the dive watch credentials for successful underwater exploration, and the King Samurai version of the Seiko Save The Ocean range is yet another example of such a watch. The Save The Ocean concept harks back to 2018 - a time when the watchmaker partnered with the grandson of French explorer, conservationist and filmmaker, Jacques Yves Cousteau. Fabien Cousteau has continued in the footsteps of his grandfather and is recognised across the globe for his conservation efforts also.

A new manta-inspired dial pattern in a grey-blue colour

Some of the proceeds of Seiko’s Save The Ocean watches are directed towards several conservation foundations aimed at restoring natural marine habitats. The King Samurai version from the brand’s new releases takes the form of its predecessors, echoing a case shape that looks as though it has been sliced with a Samurai sword, thus gaining its reputable name. The new model is also based on two King variations recently launched by Seiko. Simply put, these were upgrades of some of the brand’s bestsellers - the Turtle model and the Tuna.  Seiko seized the opportunity to create reinterpretations of these models enhanced by stronger materials. Other than that, the dive watches kept hold of their faithful design albeit they featured a new silicone strap and a new manta-inspired pattern upon their dials in a grey-blue colour.

The Seiko SRPF79K1, as explained, is a new dive watch based on the King watches released not so long ago. The “King” reference in the watch’s title represents enhanced quality and better resistance. It takes an already-acclaimed and highly accessible dive watch, then adds wear-free materials to its recipe. Sloping lugs, a pointy crown guard, and mostly satin finishes are among some of the King Samurai’s profile. It also features a screwed caseback and a screwed crown, enabling it to withhold a 200-meter water resistance. The bezel on the new Seiko Save The Ocean King Samurai watch has a knurled finish to its 120-click unidirectional rotating bezel. The scratch-resistant ceramic used for the bezel also ensures it keeps its “new” look for much longer than an aluminium version. A sapphire crystal lens is featured on the front of the case to protect the display from scratching, heat, moisture and light damage. This sturdier replacement of the Hardlex glass used for former Samurai models also features a magnifying lens above the date feature at 3 o’clock.

The new Seiko Save The Ocean King Samurai watch is quite at home on the wrist with its confident 43.8mn diameter. Its sharp, modern shape is enhanced further by this new blue-grey gradient dial colour, embellished with a fine wave pattern and a discreet yet beautiful manta decoration. The hands and indexes have all been treated with Lumibrite to assist with legibility whilst under the water, and the watch is worn on a matching deep blue silicone strap with a stainless steel pin buckle. 

Calibre 4R35

There’s a 23-jewel variation of the Seiko Calibre 4R35 and a 24-jewel version. The new Seiko Save The Ocean King Samurai watch takes the former version. If you didn’t already know, the Calibre 4R35 belongs to the 7S family of calibres manufactured by Seiko and is still regarded as one of the most “mainstream” automatic movements to be used by the Japanese brand. The 7S family was released in the 90s and although the design of Seiko’s dive watch lineage has changed very little, the engines that powered them have. The Calibre 4R35 was first released in 2010 and holds a power reserve of 41 hours. It has powered the Mini Turtle and the Samurai Prospex watches in the past.

All in all, the new Seiko Save The Ocean King Samurai watch combines rugged diver-friendly features with a beautiful dial that reflects the graduations of sunlight as they hit the surface of the ocean. Together with a unique mantra-decorated dial, a robust steel bracelet, and a useful unidirectional rotating bezel for measuring elapsed time underwater, dive watches don’t come more functional or affordably priced than this.

If you’d like any more information on the Seiko SRPF79K1, you can call our sales team today on 01335 453453 or take a look at the watch in more detail here.

Technical specifications of the Seiko Save The Ocean King Samurai watch ref: SRPF79K1

• Case: 43.8mm – height: 12.8mm – stainless steel – 200-meter water-resistant – sapphire crystal glass front – black ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel
• Dial; Blue-grey – wave decoration and mantra design – Lumibrite hands and hour markers – date under a cyclops lens
• Movement: Calibre 4R35 – self-winding - 23 jewels – 41-hour power reserve – 21,600 v.p.h
• Strap: Blue silicone strap – stainless steel pin buckle
• Reference: SRPF79K1
• Price: £550