On one end of the design spectrum you have BAPE, the super cool trendsetter of Japanese streetwear; on the other you have Seiko, the flagship of Japanese watchmaking and darling of the watch collecting world. Somewhere in the middle then you have the pair’s new collaboration, the BAPE x Seiko Mechanical Diver’s Watch.

The base watch is Seiko’s accessible, not quite professional standard but otherwise flawless mechanical diver. Using Grand Seiko instead would have pushed the price tag up a little too high for streetwear methinks. Still, as a starting point the diver is damn fine in its own right, with a bulkier, more OTT look than most similar divers.

It’s the perfect canvas for BAPE’s signature ABC camo that covers the entire dial. It leans in to the military connotations of a diving watch like this but, more importantly, lends the watch the style cred it needs for the collaboration to work. And boy does it work. Two of Japan’s most renowned brands working together on a single limited edition? Sign us up.

To seal the deal, the caseback has been engraved with the phrase: ‘A Bathing Ape Limited Edition’, along with the usual Seiko info. The watch will be available on Saturday 9th Feb at BAPE stores but be ready for disappointment. Even among BAPE’s many collaborations, this is one to lust after; you’ll want to get in line early.

Price & Specs:

Model Name: Seiko x BAPE Mechanical Divers SZEL003 Dial/Case: 51.5mm. × 45.0mm × 13.3mm (length × width × thickness), stainless steel case

Movement: Caliber 4R36, mechanical automatic winding (with hand winding)

Power reserve: 41h Water Resistance: 200m Price & Availability: ¥60,000 excluding tax (about £ 420)



For more information visit BAPES’ website.