This review is based on the Seiko 2A22 series of small divers. These are very nice small divers which were first believed to be available for the japan domestic market only but I've recently confirmed they were available for the USA market . This confirmation is based on a one owner 2A22 and a USA nos sample watch I purchased with the model number and original price tag still attached. There are several different dial - bezel combination's that I'm aware of: White dial with silver + black bezel, Black dial with silver + black bezel, Black dial with gold + black bezel, Orange dial with gold + black bezel, Dark Blue dial with red + blue Pepsi bezel,and Light Pink dial with blue + silver bezel. If anyone knows of other dial-bezel combination's feel free to chime in.
First up is a 2A22-029B professional 200M diver. It features a screw down crown and a screw down case back. The lugs measure 17mm and it is fitted with a SS Seiko oyster bracelet. The text on the dial reads Seiko Quartz and Professional Divers 200m in blue. The bezel is silver tone and rotates 60 clicks in a CCW direction and has fine external teeth. The hands and raised indices are gold outlined.
The case back text reads 2A22-029B, Z3 Japan A, Stainless Steel, Seiko, Water Resistant. There is a yearly scale to track battery change intervals. Notice the 2 small dimples indicating battery changes in1988 + mid 1990. The serial number dates this watch to Jan 1986
Next up is a 2A22-0039 150m diver. It features a screw down crown and a screw down case back. The lugs measure 17mm and is fitted with a Seiko rubber Z-17 strap. The text on the dial reads Seiko Quartz and Divers 150m in gold. The bezel is gold tone and rotates 60 clicks in both directions and has coarse external teeth. The hands and raised indices are gold outlined. The model number is STC057 and sold for $195.00 in 1983.
The case back reads 2A22-0039, F0 Japan A, Stainless Steel, Seiko, Water Resistant. There is a yearly scale to track battery change intervals. The serial number dates this watch to 1983
There are two different case variations. The main difference can be seen in the crown guard. The professional 200m style uses a larger crown guard and is the same or very similar to 2625 series of small quartz divers. The 150m diver uses a smaller crown guard. The crowns are also slightly different and correspond to the crown guard. Larger crown with the larger crown guard case and smaller crown with smaller crown guard case. The bezel rotation on the 2A22-029B is CCW only while the bezel rotation on the 2A22-0039 is bi-directional.
Side by side comparison
2A22-029B Specs: *ISO rating is Professional 200m
*Width with crown is 38mm
*Lug to lug is 38mm
*Lug width is 17mm
*Bezel diameter is 33mm
*Case thickness is 10.5mm
*Crown is screw down
*Case back is screw down
*Hardlex crystal
*Movement 2A22 quartz
*Bezel is 60 click single direction CCW with fine external teeth
*Dial is
white with raised metallic gold indices
*Date only
*Battery life is 2 to 3 yrs
*
SS Oyster bracelet
2A22-0039 Specs: *ISO rating is 150m
*Width with crown is 35mm
*Lug to lug is 38mm
*Lug width is 17mm
*Bezel diameter is 33mm *Case thickness is 10mm
*Crown is screw down
*Case back is screw down
*Hardlex crystal
*Movement 2A22 quartz
*Bezel is 60 click Bi-directional with coarse external teeth
*Dial is
black with raised metallic gold indices
*Date only
*Battery life is 2 to 3 yrs
* Rubber Z-17 strap Here are some photos of the other dial + bezel combination's that were available. The first photo is of a nos 2A22-0170 orange dial Professional 200m model from Aug of 1987 owned by Poseidon Jim. Thanks Jim for your contribution!
The photo's below came from the archives and were courtesy of Thian Wong. Thank you Thian!
Blue dial with Pepsi bezel model # 2A22-029A
Pink dial with blue+silver bezel
If anyone can provide any additional information about this series of divers please do. I'm interested to know if there are other dial - bezel combination's.
Thanks, Tom
