Project Hommage : Save-The-Ocean 63MAS (Part 1)

The Blancpain has Fifty Fathoms, and Seikoholics have Fifty-five Fathoms. Those of us whom were into modifications had long been using Seiko as a modification base for our works of art. I myself had documented a fair bit of Andywristwatches' Franken Mods in our blog here, using various cases from SKX007, Turtle, Monster, Sumo, etc.

During my mods over the years, I came to realise that I kept upgrading Seiko factory-stock parts with a few fave parts as per the following :

• Movement : Seiko caliber NH35/NH36
• Bezel : Lumed ceramic bezel inserts
• Lume : Swiss C3 Super-luminova (similar to LumiBrite's green)
• Glass : Sapphire

Over the years, readers have been asking to participate in a watch that we could called our own- and through exchanges between some of the active readers cum collectors here, ideas were bounced to and fro. There were ideas towards a Rolex homage case, Seiko bullhead homage case, Seiko SKX007 case, etc.

Seiko 62MAS was the brand's iconic diver during the 60s, before it was dethroned by its successor in the 6105-8110 in the 70s. Seiko had done a Reissue of both these iconic watches in current times, so it was finally decided that we would go with the 62MAS successor and further call a spade a spade. It would therefore be called 63MAS :)

A few micro-brands subsequently came out with their reiterations of the 62MAS and 6105, and we began buying a pair here and there between ourselves for comparison and research purposes. And we further got in touch with some watch case manufacturers, and discussed some finer details.

Well, after months of assessments and my latest trip to factories in China, we have more or less finalised the OEM design of the case as per the above. We won't own the rights to the case since ours would be just a small batch order limited to 30 readers here. In fact, the manufacturer had been most kind to even consider our small order in this case (all pun intended), and entertaining our requests and draft changes todate.

We give you the first design of Project Hommage : Save-The-Ocean 63MAS.

The dial would be in Ocean Blue, with sunburst effect for an even more premium and handsome feel. Generous amount of Swiss C3 Super-luminova (green lume) would be applied to the indices on the bezel insert and dial.

Since the Reissue was good for 200m water resistance (I have no doubt that it could go for more actually), we have requested for the necessary case construction and gasket to withstand an improved water resistance of 300m. This would be shown vide a lumed Turtle situated above the 6 o'clock position. 

Other details of the build would be as per the following :

• Case material : 316L stainless steel
• Case back : 316L stainless steel
• Case size : 44mm
• Lug to lug : 47mm
• Lug width : 20mm
• Strap : Calf leather / Tropical rubber
• Glass : Sapphire
• Bezel : Lumed ceramic bezel insert
• Movement : Seiko caliber NH35
• Crown : Screw-down

This was the finalised draft from the input of active readers and collectors here at Andywristwatches, and we would still have some time to effect any further changes to the design if so required. I am now opening this design up to the rest of the readers. Please let us know your thoughts and any input could be placed in the Comment below, or e-mailed to toyotaharrier240g@gmail.com.

Production would commence thereafter, and we are targeting 30 pieces of Save-The-Ocean 63MAS. If you are interested to be part of this 30 owners of this Project Hommage watch, kindly e-mail your contact no. to us and we would notify you on further details of the watch.
 

The watch would be priced ridiculously low. We are still negotiating with the manufacturer but we are targeting below USD300 for the custom build, inclusive of free courier within Malaysia (international courier might need a slight top-up). That's even cheaper than the RRP for Seiko Samurai/Sumo/Monster. A bargain indeed, given the quality parts included in the build.

Note that the design of the watch could still have some changes pursuant to your input. Here's to the adventure ahead!

NB : Just for a general feel, these were pictures of one of the prototype cases during the earlier R&D testing stages. We were sampling OEM cases from various micro brands.

For this example, the dial, handset, and strap attached were from another after-market brand that I commonly utilised; while movement was Seiko Caliber NH35.

The above rendition of Save-The-Ocean 63MAS had since adopted additional improvements in lumed ceramic bezel insert and increased water resistance properties.

The journey so far :

Part 1 @ https://andywristwatches.blogspot.com/2019/06/project-hommage-save-ocean-63mas.html;

Part 2 @ https://andywristwatches.blogspot.com/2019/06/project-hommage-save-ocean-63mas-part-2.html;

Part 3 @ https://andywristwatches.blogspot.com/2019/06/project-hommage-save-ocean-63mas-part-3.html;

Part 4 @ https://andywristwatches.blogspot.com/2019/06/project-hommage-save-ocean-63mas-part-4.html.