Alongside the Prospex SPB347J “Noosa” Limited Edition, Seiko also released the Prospex SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus” Limited Edition, both inspired by the beautiful landscape and natural wonders of Australia. The Seiko Prospex SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus” is a lovely take not only on one of Australia’s most iconic and well-known trees, but also on the infamous colour palette that Australia has become known for.
The Seiko Prospex SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus” draws its own inspiration from the natural beauty of the Australian eucalyptus tree. Its distinctive look resonates perfectly with the ever-changing green of the eucalyptus tree, captured beautifully by the different shades of green on the watch’s dial and bezel.
The shimmering green dial has the faintest shade of gold, adding another layer of visceral intrigue to the piece which is quite reminiscent of that same gleaming gold hue that the eucalyptus trees give off against the low setting of the Sun. The combination of gold and green is beautiful in its execution of the piece and work hand in hand to create a really natural, elemental look.
I think the design and colour of the bezel deserves another look. It offers a dash of earthiness to the watch, again emphasising its source of inspiration. The olive-green of the bezel adds a touch of colour differentiation from the glistening green and gold of the dial. And I think Seiko got its thickness right on, too. The hands and hour markers are bold, filled with luminescent material and again speak to the piece’s practicality. The addition of that orange seconds hand adds to the Seiko Prospex SRPJ53K’s already very intriguing colour palette, too.
The Seiko Prospex SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus” is encased in the maison’s distinct turtle-shaped case. It measures 45mm in diameter and is made from stainless steel. The case is big, sturdy and durable, exactly what you would expect from a Prospex reference. While large, its true diameter is masked by its case frame that sits just below the bezel. The case follows quite an avant garde architectural design, and it does take some getting used to if you’ve never experienced one. It is quite thick at 13.20mm, but looks like it sits flush on the wrist due to the curved lugs and slim bracelet. But once you wrap your head around its obscure style, again its practicality shines through.
Speaking on practicality, it’s important to remember that the Seiko Prospex SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus” also features a day-date function which sits in two adjoining apertures at the 3 o’clock position on the dial. I truly believe that a day-date complication (alongside the typical time display) is one of the most useful features a watch can show. So, it’s clear that the Seiko Prospex SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus” offers an abundance of functionality on a variety of levels.
Powering this Seiko Prospex watch is the calibre 4R36. This really is a workhorse movement from Seiko. It’s an automatically powered mechanism, with a bidirectional rotor giving the 4R36 a power reserve of about 40-hours. This may not sound like much, but consider that you also get a day-date display along with the telling of the hours, minutes and seconds. It’s not visible through the closed steel caseback and is quite no-frills in its finishing, but you can rest assured that your Seiko Prospex SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus” is powered by a genuine and respected mechanical engine. 
Seiko’s Prospex SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus” is an interesting timepiece whose aesthetic and purpose definitely speaks to its inspiration. I really like the natural look and feel of the watch, which comes on both a stainless steel bracelet and a green rubber strap. Big, bold and purposeful, the Seiko Prospex SRPJ53K “Eucalyptus” holds its own as an authentic and true depiction of an Aussie icon.
