When it comes to wristwatches, most of pop culture’s most celebrated heroes -- think superhumans and secret agents -- have had a tendency to favour immodest Swiss luxury brands. However, if you happen to be Arnold ‘the Governator’ Schwarzenegger (circa 1980s Hollywood) a little Japanese outfit by the name of Seiko would be your quartermaster of choice.
All sarcasm aside, so much of Seiko’s success during the heyday of big, gleefully dumb action films falls squarely upon Schwarzenegger’s olympian shoulders. The Austrian actor and bodybuilder -- who would later come to be immortalised for his role in The Terminator franchise -- clearly had a penchant for the company’s Hybrid Diver -- beginning with its prominent appearance in the early 80s blockbuster Commando.
Soon thereafter, watch enthusiasts began referring to the Hybrid Diver as the ‘Arnie’, in honour of its many celluloid appearances in the arsenal of whatever unkillable badass Schwarzenegger happened to be playing. Now, 40 years after it first debuted, Seiko has re-envisioned this groundbreaking digi-analogue design for the 21st century; with the release of three anniversary-minded models, including one which functions as the latest sequel (see what we did there?) to the OG Hybrid Diver.
In the decades since its inception, the design and layout of the Hybrid Diver has come to be influenced by Seiko’s Prospex Tuna collection -- a vertical of professional diving watches known for tactical aesthetics and larger-than-life sizing. As such, aficionados will recognise that the basic format of the ‘40th Anniversary’ Hybrid Divers is in line with what has come before, although there are a handful of significant changes that speak to Seiko’s rejuvenal mindset in 2022.
The most pointed of these will be apparent from the moment you see the case and dial. Unlike previous riffs on the Arnie such as the SNJ025, these Hybrid Divers feature a digital time display at 6 o’clock. This script-flipping carries through in tactile areas, with the watch’s pushers and crown now located on the right-hand case flank. It’s an interesting design choice -- ousting these watches as ‘commemorative’ releases and giving them instant cachet with LHD collectors.
Each of the three new Hybrid Divers is made in stainless steel and follows the same 46.92mm diameter. Beyond that basic format, buyers can choose from the blue-bezeled SNJ035P; a fully brushed steel configuration in the guise of the SNJ033P1; and finally, the murderously monochrome SNJ037P1 Seiko is billing as the successor to the original Arnie. Notably, the latter is being offered in a limited edition of 4,000 pieces and is a compelling choice for those who love the original Hybrid Diver’s no-nonsense PVD-on-steel look.
Thankfully, the two other anniversary releases aren’t in the least bit an afterthought. The SNJ035P features a dial decorated with a globe-like motif similar to the kind used in the livery of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (‘PADI’). On the standard-issue rubber strap, it’s a no-brainer for those intent on taking the Hybrid Diver through its underwater paces. By contrast, the SNJ033P1 makes a compelling case for the ‘daily wearer’: owing to its brushed steel bracelet and the combination of understated black and grey tones used throughout.
If we confine ourselves to aesthetics, it can be difficult to discern that the latest Hybrid Divers are a very new breed of watch. However, below the metaphorical bonnet things start to look a whole lot more high-tech. Unlike the calibre H851 -- a mainstay of the Seiko watches at Watch Depot today. Enjoy free shipping on all orders over $69 and ‘wear now, pay later’ with our curated range of easy finance options.
Seiko Prospex SNJ037P Hybrid Diver 40th Anniversary Limited Edition
$782.00
$1,150.00
The Seiko SNJ037P is a part of the Prospex collection that is known for its features attracting people with active lifestyles whether they’re sports lovers or divers. The watch features a stainless-steel case and bracelet in an all-black finish. The… read more
Seiko SNJ035 Prospex Hybrid Diver Watch
$527.00
$995.00
A striking timepiece, this Seiko SNJ035 Prospex Hybrid Diver Watch is a must-have. The case features a wide bezel with clear indices, while the watch face features Lumibrite markers and the hands for increased legibility. Complete with 200m water resistance,… read more
