New for 2013, Seiko introduces the Seiko Prospex Landmaster Miura Everest 2013.  Limited to 300-pieces, the watch is dedicated to the 80-year old Japanese alpinist, Yuichiro Miura.  Miura,  dubbed “The Godfather of Extreme Skiing” by Smithsonian, was the first man to ski down Mt. Everest, a feat he accomplished in 1970 (later documented in an Academy Aware winning documentary — see “Did You Know?” below).  As the mountaineer steps into his eightieth year next year, he will attempt to climb the mighty Everest for the third time in May 2013.  Perpetuelle takes a closer look at the watch produced to mark the occasion, the Seiko Prospex Landmaster Miura Everest 2013, below.

The Prospex Landmaster Miura Everest  has a 46mm titanium case and features Seiko’s innovative “Spring Drive” technology via the 5R66 movement.   The matte black dial features hour-markers and hour and minute hands with luminescent white coating.  The second time zone is displayed by red Arabic numerals.  The central GMT hand is skeletonized and has a red tip.  Also note the date window at the 3 o’clock position and a power reserve indicator below this.

Specially marked and numbered caseback.  Not clear what the outer data ring is for (blood type, birthday, name, nationality), though I’d guess it allows for further personalization by the owner.

Seiko Spring Drive took 28 years and 600 prototypes before finally coming into production in 2005.  The most famous watch using “Spring Dive” technology is arguably the Seiko Spacewalk watch.  And indeed you can see that the Miura Everest 2013 watch shares many design elements found in the Spacewalk:  titanium case, GMT function, crown at 12 o’clock, indexes and hands, power reserve and date.

But whereas a 100-piece commemorative edition Seiko Spacewalk was priced at a whopping $28,000, the Miura Everest 2013 Ref SBDB007 will sell for a more modest $4,800.  A non-limited edition “Classic” version will also be offered at $4,460.

“MIURA EVEREST 2013″ engraved on the side of the case

The watch comes in a special presentation package with a message from Miura and a soft strap with “Miura Everest 2013″ patch on it.

You can keep tabs on the Miura 2013 Everest climb here on the specially dedicated website.  It is still unclear if Miura will in fact wear this watch for his climb.  Perpetuelle wishes him good fortune and a safe trek!

Did you Know?

Yuichiro Miura, most famous for being the first man who skied down Everest (documented in a movie of the same name), is a Japanese living legend who has never stopped testing human limits. On May 6,1970, he skied down from the South Col (elevation over 8,000 m (26,000 ft)). Mr. Miura descended 6,600 feet in two minutes and 20 seconds, using a parachute as drag and then passed another 1,320 feet. The Man Who Skied Down Everest that won the 1975 Academy Award for the best Documentary.

Smithsonian.com has an exhilirating story about The Godfather of Extreme Skiing, here.