Prospex Hybrid Diver "Arnie" 40th Anniversary All-Black - Ltd Ed 4000pcs Ref. SBEQ011

Within Seiko’s range of premium quality timepieces, the Seiko Arnie is one of the brand’s recommended  collectible designs. The watch that was first introduced in 1982 and known as the H588 made headlines as the very first hybrid diver’s watch in the world. Also of interest to film buffs is the watch’s appearance on the wrist of Arnold Schwarzenegger in films like Predator and Commando, making it a must-have for movie watch fans. The latest Hybrid Diver "Arnie" 40th Anniversary All-Black Ref. SBEQ011 Limited Edition is another of Seiko’s horological creations. Let us dive in (pun intended) to explore this latest hybrid diver! 

Seiko Prospex Hybrid Diver "Arnie" 40th Anniversary All-Black - Ltd Ed 4000pcs Ref. SBEQ011 / SNJ037

Hollywood talks aside, the H558-5009 was quickly recalled as the first Ana-Digi dive watch that has a digital alarm chronograph with an analog time display. Ana-Digi divers were famous back in the '80s, and Seiko and others were producing different variants and got onto action movies as they were "appropriate" professional tool watches. Oh, even Sylvester Stallone wore a similar style, Ana-Digi Chronosport UDT Type II in Rambo 3 aired in 1988, but we digress.

Done in full PVD black, the size of this steel watch measures to 46.9mm, lug-to-lug at 50.9mm, while its height remains at 14.2mm. Sounds humongous? But with the design of the short lugs making it a wearable size who are interested in a Tuna-style wristwatch. It bears a close resemblance to the "Tuna Can" design due to the outer shroud that gives the watch a tool watch aesthetic with additional protection. We strongly believe the additional shroud was an appropriate take back in the 80s as Seiko would like a follow-up from their professional first professional quartz Tuna diver Ref. 7549-7009 in 1978. Furthermore, like all Seiko's Tuna Can watch, it wears smaller than the dimensions suggest, partly due to its round case and shot lugs architecture. Wearers can also be assured of a 200 meter water resistance, a unidirectional rotating bezel with 60 minute scale and topped off with a Hardlex crystal glass for protection of the dial.

Analog with Sub-digital display

One might ask, "what is the point of having a digital display when you can just read the time on this watch with its traditional analog display." Well, the digital "platform" allows essential add-ons functions that all adjusted through the compressor-style pushers at the left side of the case. Oh, did we mention that there is internal high-brightness LED that lits up the digital display through a push of a button at 10'o clock? The dials of the watch still present large arrow-shaped Lumibrite hands for the hour and minutes, rounded hour marker for dark environment time-reading.

The SBEQ011 is fitted with the brand-new caliber H855 with several diver-specific features added on, as compared with the hitherto  caliber H851, Although this model remains a solar-powered ani/digi caliber with an alarm, stopwatch, second timezone, and super-cool battery-saving mode, there is more to it than meets the eye.

Original remake of the 1982 H558 "Arnie" Diver

Besides adding depth measuring up to 80 meters, the H855 also contains a diving log that can record the dive time and depth of up to 100 dives. Furthermore, the log begins when the wearer descends past 1.6 meters, when in diving mode. Once the wearer ascends to less than 1.5 meters, the log ends the dive and automatically stores the data. This Seiko Hybrid diver even notifies the wearer once a rapid ascent is detected, just like a digital computer.

Combine this with a matching black PVD steel bracelet, it adds on to the ruggedness where it reminds its wearer what you have on is a definite professional tool watch that is robust enough to accompany one's journey to kill some enemies out in the field with a Gatling gun, or taking down some "predators" from the other world.

Seiko's Lumibrite still works here like how its diver should be

As the only limited edition in the series with only 4,000 pieces being made and Seiko sending global dive watch standards to further heights, we genuinely give kudos to Seiko for reviving this cult-following timepiece that reminds one of the 1982 "Arnie" throughout the years, but now with much presence and modern reliability.