Seiko takes great pride in its proprietary Spring Drive calibers for many reasons, but chief among them is their ability to function tirelessly and reliably in all kinds of challenging conditions ? up to and including outer space: Seiko watches with these in-house movements have been certified for space travel and worn aboard the International Space Station. As its latest U.S.-exclusive timepiece, the Japanese watchmaker offers a Spring-Drive-equipped watch with a dial design inspired by space travel and the moon. Here is the lowdown on the new Seiko Prospex LX U.S. Sky Special Edition, Ref. SNR051.

Firmly positioned in Seiko’s Prospex LX family (LX being shorthand for “luxe”), all of which trace their sporty aesthetic to a brand milestone, the 1968 Professional Diver, the watch has a robust 44.8 mm case made of titanium with a super-hard-coating for superior scratch resistance and finished with the brand’s signature Zaratsu polishing. The integrated three-link bracelet is made of the same material and a screw-down crown and caseback helps to ensure the case’s 1`00-meter water resistance. (It’s still technically a dive watch, after all, even though it’s clearly aimed more at an astronaut than a scuba diver.)
Under a sapphire crystal with what Seiko calls a “super clear” coating, the dial features an eye-catching texture reminiscent of the lunar surface, swept over by hands treated with Seiko’s proprie...