Seiko Prospex LX SNR031
The Seiko Prospex LX SNR031 is one of only a few watches powered by a Spring Drive movement that doesn’t sport the Grand Seiko logo upon its dial. Steve Ashby takes a close look at this model, keen to establish what makes it worthy of being powered by one of the best calibres in existence.
I have long marvelled at the Spring Drive movement. It was created by the masterminds at Seiko from an initial idea in the late 1970s, it took over 20 years of research and development before the initial hand-wound version was released in 1999. Later, in 2004, an automatic Spring Drive calibre was unveiled.
The Spring Drive movement features a tri-synchro regulator which employs an innovative electromagnetic brake to control the flow of time. This provides an ingenious alternative to the ubiquitous Swiss-lever escapement found in most conventional timepieces. The innovative calibre delivers incredible accuracy with a daily variation of just ± 1 second per day.
A particular trait of the Spring Drive movement is that the central sweep seconds hand glides continuously in a serene manner. In contrast, with a Swiss-lever escapement, the seconds hand moves with a busy gait, taking short, quick steps each second, with the number of steps determined by the frequency of the balance.
While early examples of the Spring Drive movement powered Seiko branded watches, the movements subsequently became exclusive to the Grand Seiko and Credor marques. However, this convention was broken in 2019 when Seiko began placing its revered movement inside both Presage and Prospex models. It was at this point that the Prospex LX collection was born.
The Prospex LX line comprises of several watches, some with cases and bracelets formed of light-coloured titanium and others made of titanium with a black treatment. Both types of watches feature super-hard coatings on the case and bracelet.
The dial
The dial of the Seiko Prospex LX SNR031 is presented in a brooding shade of black, enlivened with contrasting hands and indexes. Upholding the design language of previous Seiko divers’ watches, the hands are large and the indexes are circular, save for the rectangular markers at 6 and 9 o’clock and a double-width index at noon. Both the hands and indexes have been given a generous application of luminescent treatment, augmenting readability in dim light conditions such as when diving underwater. The marker at 3 o’clock has been supplanted by a date window, revealing a black disc marked with highly lucid white numerals.
A power reserve indicator, featuring a grey arcing scale is positioned between 7 and 8 o’clock. Beneath the fulcrum of the dial, the Prospex logo, those all-important words ‘Spring Drive’ and the maximum water-resistance of the watch, are presented in a subtle, unobtrusive shade of grey. Nothing detracts from enunciating the prevailing hours and minutes.
The dial’s appearance imbues the watch with a sporty aesthetic and it happily coexists with the black coating found on the case and bracelet.
The case
The Seiko Prospex LX SNR031 features a curved, smooth profile with a single continuous edge running from the top lug to the bottom. By way of contrast, the case also encompasses angular sections that, even with the black super-hard coating, reflect light from every direction. Indeed, it is not surprising to learn that the very name, LX, was coined from the word ‘Lux’ which is derived from the Latin word for ‘light’.
The case is fitted with a unidirectional rotating bezel, complete with a series of large tactile indentations, proffering ease of use, even when wearing thick diving gloves. A screw-down crown is situated at 4 o’clock, positioned out of harm’s way and contributing to the model’s impressive water-resistance of 300 metres.
The watch is supplied on a black accordion-style silicone strap, designed to expand and contract in sympathy with the wearer’s wrist.
The Movement
As mentioned previously, the Seiko Prospex LX SNR031 is equipped with one of the firm’s esteemed Spring Drive movements, the Calibre 5R65. Assuming the movement is fully wound, it will run autonomously for up to 72 hours. The movement features 30 jewels and the stated accuracy is incredible.
Closing Remarks
The moment I heard of Seiko’s decision to fit a Spring Drive movement within its non-Grand Seiko timepieces I beamed with delight. The Japanese brand’s decision has brought the unique Spring Drive technology within the grasp of more would-be buyers.
It may sound inconsequential, but I never tire of watching the Spring Drive’s central sweep seconds hand effortlessly circumnavigate the dial, exuding a sense of luxury in the process. Furthermore, the dial on the Seiko Prospex LX SNR031 is uncluttered and proves eminently legible.
The Spring Drive movement took thousands of hours to develop, culminating in horological greatness and it is one of several reasons why I am a huge fan of the Seiko Prospex LX SNR031.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: Seiko Prospex LX SNR031
- Case: Titanium with black super-hard coating; diameter 44.8mm; height 15.7mm; water resistance 30ATM (300 metres); sapphire crystal to front; solid case back.
- Functions: hours; minutes; central sweep seconds; date; power-reserve indicator
- Movement: Caliber 5R65 Spring Drive; Self-winding movement; 30 jewels; power reserve = 72 hours.
- Strap: Black silicone strap.
- Price: £5,400 including VAT (RRP as at 27.4.2020)
Press loan
The press sample was kindly provided by https://www.jurawatches.co.uk