Seiko’s Prospex line of tough timepieces just goes to show you don’t have to spend huge money to get a great automatic watch. Their new Black Series takes on a decided dark look for some of the best affordable dive watches on earth. Each version gets a bluish-black hard case coating, matte black dials, and orange or red highlights. The most exclusive version is the Marinemaster Black Series with its ceramic bezel, 50-hour power reserve, and a red second hand that disappears in low light. Only 600 of these will be made. Case sizes aren’t overly huge, ranging from 44.3mm to 45mm, and each one gets a reliable Seiko automatic movement. Expect each of them to perform well under pressure and with proper maintenance and care, a lifetime of use. Each one is a limited-production watch, so make sure you grab one when they bow in February and March of this year.
More Watches

Ciga Designs: Why We Love China’s Avant-Garde Luxury Watch
Ciga’s timepieces are known among watch geeks for their skeletonized faces and innovative touches.

Universal Genève Is the Ultimate Quiet-Luxury Watchmaker
With Universal Genève’s official relaunch slated for 2026, it’s a fitting moment to reflect on their influential models.

The Irresistible Charm of the Birth-Year Watch
Why many modern collectors are hunting for their “twin watch”—a timepiece with shared history.