Prospex gets two Edo purple limited editions for Seiko’s 145th anniversary: the HBC006 Alpinist and the HBJ005 Speedtimer. They share a colour and little else. One is a 39.5 mm automatic field watch with a compass ring. The other is a 41.4 mm solar chronograph with a tachymeter.
That difference is useful. There is no need to pretend these are close substitutes because both say Prospex on the dial.
Pick HBC006 if you want a compact automatic with 72 hours of reserve and 20-bar water resistance. Pick HBJ005 if you want a solar chronograph, bracelet and a shorter 45.9 mm lug-to-lug span.
HBC006 Alpinist: the mechanical option
HBC006 measures 39.5 mm across, 12.7 mm thick and 46.4 mm lug to lug. Its stainless-steel case receives Seiko’s super-hard coating, with sapphire crystal above the dial and a cow-leather strap below it. The rotating compass inner ring and second crown retain the modern Alpinist layout.
Calibre 6R55 is automatic, can be hand wound and offers roughly 72 hours of power reserve. It is rated at +25 to -15 seconds per day. Water resistance is 20 bar, and the main crown screws down. The transparent case back is a slightly dressier choice than the tool-watch specification might suggest, but this has been the Alpinist’s balancing act for years.
Seiko will produce 7,000 pieces.
HBJ005 Speedtimer: the solar chronograph
HBJ005 is 41.4 mm across and 13.0 mm thick, but its 45.9 mm lug-to-lug measurement is actually shorter than the Alpinist’s. That should make it less sprawling than the dial diameter suggests. It comes on a stainless-steel bracelet, with curved sapphire crystal and 10-bar water resistance.
Calibre V192 is solar powered and runs for about six months on a full charge. The chronograph measures up to 60 minutes in 1/5-second steps. A 24-hour hand, date and power-reserve indicator round out the display. The two-colour aluminium tachymeter bezel draws on Speedtimer designs from Seiko’s 1960s and 1970s archive.
Production is limited to 8,000 pieces.
| Specification | HBC006 Alpinist | HBJ005 Speedtimer |
|---|---|---|
| Case | 39.5 × 12.7 × 46.4 mm | 41.4 × 13.0 × 45.9 mm |
| Movement | 6R55 automatic | V192 solar quartz |
| Reserve | About 72 hours | About 6 months fully charged |
| Crystal | Sapphire, inner AR coating | Curved sapphire, inner AR coating |
| Water resistance | 20 bar | 10 bar |
| Main function | Rotating compass inner ring | 60-minute solar chronograph |
| Edition | 7,000 pieces | 8,000 pieces |
Which one should you choose?
The Alpinist has the stronger all-round specification if mechanical ownership matters. It is smaller across the dial, offers twice the water-resistance rating and has a three-day reserve. The Speedtimer is the easier daily chronograph because there is no winding routine and no mechanical chronograph service hiding in the future.
Wrist size does not settle this as neatly as the diameters imply. The Speedtimer is wider but marginally shorter lug to lug. The choice is really automatic field watch versus solar chronograph. Purple is merely the mutual alibi.
Compare the current Prospex range
The Edo purple editions are not yet listed for UAE sale. Browse currently available Prospex watches while allocation is confirmed.
Sources and availability notes
Specifications and release information were checked on 6 August 2026. UAE allocation and AED pricing had not been confirmed when this draft was prepared.
