Seiko Prospex Diver's Samurai automatic black dial steel bracelet 41,7 mm

Samurai Collection DNA

First introduced in 2004, the Seiko Samurai quickly established itself as a modern icon among affordable dive watches. Unlike the Turtle, which is more rounded and inspired by the vintage heritage of the 1960s, the Samurai stood out with its angular, robust, and resolutely contemporary design. Its sharp case and geometric lines earned it the nickname “Samurai,” a nod to its blade-like shapes reminiscent of a katana.

After a few years on the market and several editions (including titanium models for the Japanese market), the Samurai disappeared from the catalog before making a strong comeback in 2017 in a revised version. Larger, with a 43.8 mm steel case, it gained presence and popularity, eventually becoming one of the most emblematic dive watches in the Seiko Prospex line. In 2020, it even received the King Samurai treatment, with the addition of premium materials (sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel, improved finishing).

In 2024, to celebrate its 20th anniversary, Seiko unveiled a completely redesigned Samurai. More compact, more fluid, and more balanced, it retains its DNA while adopting more contemporary proportions. The SRPL13, with its sober black dial and matching bezel, is arguably the most “classic” and faithful to the original spirit: a robust, angular, and functional diver, designed to appeal both to long-time enthusiasts and new Prospex fans alike.

Design & Aesthetics

The Seiko Prospex Samurai SRPL13 introduces a fully redesigned case for 2024, which maintains the model’s iconic angular lines while gaining in harmony and wearability.

With its 41.7 mm diameter, 12.3 mm thickness, and 49.5 mm lug-to-lug, the SRPL13 adopts more modern proportions than the previous 43.8 mm versions. This downsizing makes it better suited to a wider range of wrists, while maintaining a robust presence. The brushed and polished stainless steel case plays with contrasting finishes and retains the protected screw-down crown, ensuring its 200-meter water resistance.

The unidirectional aluminum bezel, with the signature Samurai knurled grip, features a matte black finish—simple yet effective. The numerals and graduations are more refined than in past generations, enhancing both legibility and visual balance.

The matte black dial displays a subtle texture, reinforcing the utilitarian, functional character of the watch. The elongated pentagonal markers, new to this generation, replace the chunky rectangular ones of previous models. Uniform in size, they create a more harmonious and refined display. The date has been repositioned at 4:30, preserving the dial’s symmetry.

The hands have also been redesigned:

• The hour hand now features a slimmer lance shape instead of the oversized arrow of past models.
• The minute hand has a wider base for greater visual impact.
• The seconds hand retains its luminous triangle, now moved closer to the tip for improved precision.

All markers and hands are filled with white LumiBrite, ensuring flawless legibility even in complete darkness.

The SRPL13 comes on a three-link stainless steel bracelet, now 20 mm wide, offering a more balanced and well-proportioned look compared to older Samurai models. Its beveled links provide a more refined finish, and the folding clasp includes a secure diving extension.

Movement & Performance

At the heart of the Seiko Prospex Samurai SRPL13 is the in-house 4R35 caliber, a well-known automatic movement among Seiko enthusiasts.

Technical specifications:

• Type: automatic with manual winding
• Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)
• Jewels: 23
• Power reserve: approximately 41 hours
• Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date, hacking seconds

Belonging to a family of robust, accessible calibers, the 4R35 is a true workhorse, favoring reliability over refinement. Built to accompany the watch in all situations, it is appreciated for its durability and ease of maintenance.

Seiko specifies an accuracy tolerance of –35 to +45 seconds per day. In practice, many examples perform more stably, but the main takeaway is the confidence this caliber inspires: a mechanism that starts instantly on the wrist and runs reliably, true to the Prospex philosophy.

While some may regret the absence of a technical upgrade (such as the 6R35 with its 70h reserve), the 4R35 remains a proven and dependable standard, perfectly suited for a diver in this category. Combined with 200 meters of water resistance, it makes the SRPL13 a watch ready to follow its wearer both underwater and in everyday life.