BY JOVAN K
This time, they are bringing back the spirit of the 1968 high-beat diver with two new Marinemasters, the HBF001 and HBF002. The original from 1968 was a big deal, as it was Japan’s first high-beat diver and a serious tech leap for its time, so this isn’t just a reissue for nostalgia; these feel made for real use, especially the JAMSTEC edition tied to Japan’s modern icebreaking research.
The case on both models measures 42.6mm x 14.1mm, keeping that chunky, broad-shouldered look fans expect from a serious Seiko diver. The steel has a super-hard coating that keeps it looking fresh even after plenty of wear, and the crown is still tucked away at four o’clock.
One clever touch is the new modular crown structure, with the crown tube as a separate piece rather than being a part of the main case. It makes repairs much easier if it ever gets cross-threaded and shows the kind of practical engineering found on older professional tool watches.
The dial on the HBF001 keeps things functional, with a matte-black, grainy texture that reduces reflections. If you want a more eye-catching dial, the HBF002 JAMSTEC edition has a blue gradient with a vertical pattern that recalls the tracks left by an icebreaker. It is covered with a thick, clear coating to add visual depth. Both versions use Lumibrite on the indexes and hands, and the old steel bezels have been swapped for black or blue ceramic inserts to better handle scratches.
The Calibre 8L45 handles the timekeeping duties and is built in the same facilities that build Grand Seiko movements, though it doesn’t receive the same high level of finishing. It runs at 4Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and holds a 72-hour power reserve. The springs use the same Spron alloys found in the brand’s top-tier luxury pieces, and it’s rated to +10/-5 seconds per day, which is a solid step up from the brand’s entry-level divers.
The steel bracelet also comes in Seiko’s super-hard coating and includes a slide adjuster that lets you extend it by 16mm.
The black HBF001 is priced at $3,600, while the JAMSTEC edition is limited to 1,000 pieces, and the price is set at $3,900. Both will be available in boutiques starting July 2026.
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