$1,000 Worth Of Awesome, Hands-On With The Seiko Prospex SPB107 'Topper Edition' Diver

Enter Topper Jewelers, the family-owned, Silicon Valley-based store run by Russ and Rob Caplan. Since 1940, Topper has been providing collectors and enthusiasts with a wide range of watches and jewelry. In 1947, the Caplan family purchased the business from the Topper Brothers and the store now calls Burlingame, California home. If you've ever met the Caplan brothers, you'll understand their secret to success in today's ever-crowded retail landscape – in a word, it's passion.
 

A passion for timepieces and related ephemera is what drives Russ and Rob. In 2015, to celebrate their 75th Anniversary, Topper Jewelers introduced the first of their 'Topper Editions'.  These limited editions have quickly caught fire and as a result, the jeweler has sold through every Topper Edition. Today's topic is no exception, the new Seiko Prospex SPB107 'Topper Edition' is a blacked out version of the Seiko SPB077 dive watch. Made in a limited issue of 500 pieces, a 'Topper Edition' which makes for the perfect desk diver or weekend adventure watch.
 

Priced at just $1,000, this fully mechanical SPB107 Prospex diver delivers a lot of bang for the buck. The stealthy piece is sized at 44mm with a lug width of 20mm. Powered by Seiko's 6R15 movement which beats at 28,800vph and boasts a power reserve of 50 hours. Water resistant to 200 meters (656 ft) and featuring Seiko's now iconic silicon dive strap. Not bad for a $1,000 dive watch! 

Watchonista had the opportunity to spend time with the original prototype SPB107 'Topper Edition.' In the metal, the piece was quite impressive. This "Professional Specification" (Prospex) diver wore nicely on my 7.5" wrists. Seiko's silicone straps feel great on the wrist even though the actual length of the strap leaves a bit to be desired. Unlike other "blacked-out" or "stealth" models, the piece features white markers on the black dial, which lends to increase legibility. We've seen other brands try to pair their marker color with the all-black motifs with limited success (and terribly readability). Not here, Seiko and Topper have a well-designed hit on their hands.
 

What impressed me the most on the SPB107 'Topper Edition' was the little details. The most recognizable for me would have to be the orange-tipped seconds hand. Coupled with the bright white LumiBrite markers – this watch has to look great underwater. 
 

The Seiko Prospex SPB107 'Topper Edition' diver is slated to arrive July 2019. As of press time, according to our sources, the Seiko Prospex SPB107 'Topper Edition' diver may or may not be completely sold out. You may want to give the folks at Topper a call, you never know. At the end of the day, it's projects like this that give us hope that traditional watchmaking and brick and mortar retail are doing just fine.
 

(Photography by Liam O'Donnell)