Here we have a 2022 Seiko Naomi Uemura 80th Limited Edition 44mm SLA049. This limited edition of 0317/1200 pieces is a modern interpretation of Seiko's iconic 6105-8110, which was the brand’s second true diver. The 2021 launch coincides with Naomi Uemura’s 80th Anniversary of his birth. It features a characteristic asymmetric case designed to be robust, with a recessed signed crown at 4 o’clock. Japanese adventurer Naomi Uemura, who wore a 6105 when he spent 18 months crossing Greenland solo from Alaska by dog sledge in 1976. Sadly, Uemura passed away on February 13, 1984, whilst descending Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, North America's highest peak. His death remains a mystery; rescuers found his diary and some equipment in a cave, and many believed he fell and was buried by snow or fell into one of the many crevasses. His body was never found. A curvaceous 44mm stainless steel C-shaped asymmetric case features well-defined polished and circular brushed surfaces, protected by a super-hard coating. Its curved, polished flanks lead to a lug-to-lug length of 48.5mm and a case thickness of 13mm, giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. Seiko gets wrist ergonomics so right for a comfortable fit. On the right side at 4 o’clock, a recessed crown is protected by the asymmetrically shaped case. A uni-directional stainless steel bezel has a glossy metallic blue insert, reflecting the hue of the sky Uemura would have seen in Earth's upper atmosphere, its 60-minute scale in white numerals and markings. A domed sapphire crystal, AR-coated on the inside, sits above a textured blue dial, inspired by the colour of the night sky Uemura would have experienced on his expeditions. An outer minute track surrounds applied square and rectangular indexes coated in LumiBrite, marking the hours. At 4.30, we have a colour-matched date window with white numerals on a black background. Stainless Steel fence hands filled in the same lume are complemented by a sweeping second hand with a white and red stoplight-style counterweight. At 12 o’clock, we have the Seiko motif, and at 6 o’clock, the Prospex logo and “Automatic Divers 200m” are printed underneath. On the reverse, a screw-down case back, Naomi Uemura 80th Limited Edition, etched around its edge, features the details of the watch and the embossed Seiko Tsunami in the centre. Inside an Automatic Seiko Cal. 8L35, 26 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour, the movement has hand winding and hacking functionality for your convenience, based on the Grand Seiko calibre 9S55, it is hand-assembled at the Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio in Morioka and the watch comes paired with its Seiko 20mm stainless steel brushed links and polished inner links bracelet with a signed three-fold clasp and flip lock; all links are provided, plus an additional 20mm vintage style leather strap. The watch comes with its Seiko presentation box and paperwork.