What is it?
Another day, another limited edition watch. This time, we’re looking at the Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster Limited Edition SHIPS Exclusive Model. With only 300 units set to go on sale, I can understand why Seiko chose to include both ‘limited’ and ‘exclusive’ in the official name. Only kidding. The ‘exclusive’ stands for the fact that the reference SBDJ039 is only available for purchase via SHIPS’ online store.
What online store? Who? Long story short, SHIPS is an established clothing and accessories retailer that has been operating since the 1970s. This particular Seiko Fieldmaster SBDJ039 happens to be the result of a collaboration between said retailer and Seiko. Now, while the jaded will see it as just another hopped-up effort to pry more money away from consumers, no one can deny that the watch is still a legit Prospex Fieldmaster.
Prospex, for those unfamiliar with the term, is an amalgamation of the term ‘professional’ and ‘specifications’. As a result, watches that fall under the Prospex line are built to, quite literally, professional standards. Make no mistake, the Prospex models are tool watches first, fashion accessories second.
Tech specs?
Powering the Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster Limited Edition SHIPS Exclusive Model (phew!) is the brand’s V157 calibre. The V157 is a solar-powered quartz movement so power reserve is as long as the Sun’s lifespan – give it a couple of billion years more. Fully charged, it will tick for roughly 10 months in the dark. The movement also has a date function. Other details include an accuracy rating of +/-15 seconds per month and water resistance of 20 ATM (200 m).
It’s looks quite… blue.
Yes, you are correct. The ‘Navy’ blue is the trademark colour scheme of SHIPS so that explains it, really. Elsewhere, the SBDJ039 features a countdown bezel which is, in my opinion, more useful compared to say, a tachymeter bezel. The very blue case is a plastic-stainless steel hybrid construction and it comes on a (obviously) blue nylon NATO strap.
As for the dial, the usual field watch details are there. The Arabic hour markers have a secondary 24-hour readout and the date window is situated at 4 o’clock. Also included are the cathedral hands that are paired to a seconds hand – the aft of the latter is curiously painted in a lighter shade of blue as seen in the official pictures.
Aside from that, the SBDJ039 measures in at 44.5 mm in diameter. With that said, the lug to lug measurement does appear pretty short in the photos so maybe those with skinny wrists (hey look it me!) still have a shot at it. Though it may look pretty hefty, the watch only weighs 69 g according to Seiko while thickness is said to be 12 mm.
Finally, the solid, screw-down caseback features SHIPS branding as well as the unit number from 0 to 300 and ‘Limited Edition’ wording.
YAAAS! I like! How much?
As mentioned, the Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster Limited Edition SHIPS Exclusive Model is only available for purchase online via SHIPS’ online portal. Prices begin at RM1,344 (¥37,000) excluding taxes. On SHIPS’ website, the watch goes for RM1,452 (¥39,960) inclusive of tax. Interested? Better get going since there are only 300 units.
