Following on the success of the H558 of “Arnie” fame, Seiko’s Duo-Display (Ana/Digi) “H” series movements continued to evolve through several iterations during the late 1980’s and 90’s. The 150m H558-5000 was the very first true diver’s watch to offer a dual analog and digital display, chronograph, and alarm. A ringing endorsement from Arnold Schwarzenneger saw this watch garner screen time in multiple 80’s action movies, and it remains a highly collectible reference today. The H601 was the immediate follow up, and while similar to the H558 in function, it had a more streamlined construction, and was more economical to produce. It also moved the digital display from the top of the dial to the bottom, giving rise to the nickname “The Upside-Down Arnie” when the 150m H601-5480 model was introduced. A handful of “Sports 150” references were also created as more compact, though equally capable alternatives, and in true Seiko collector fashion, these smaller 15 bar sport divers are commonly collectively referred to as “The Baby Upside-Down Arnies.” While the nickname may be a bit clunky, these sport divers are quite the opposite. This H601-8029 from May of 1987 is a streamlined diver that’s heavy on form and function. Easily one of the nicest examples we’ve encountered, the dial is a flawless textured matte black with white and charcoal gray trim. The hour markers are polished applied discs with stippled luminous plots, and the hour and minute hands are uniquely shaped frames with enormous luminous windows. Counting the seconds is a slender “arrowhead” second hand in silver. The digital display resides above the six position, and can toggle between month/date/day, time with hours/minutes/seconds, chronograph with hours/seconds/hundredths, alarm/hourly chime, and even an incandescent lamp for backlighting in low light. Framing the dial is a steeply set hour chapter in black and white with minute hashes that gives the display tremendous depth. The case design is minimal and classic, and the factory sand blast finish is almost completely intact. It’s topped with a “ships wheel” bezel sporting a near perfect black and silver tachymeter insert. It’s unpolished and completely original aside from a replacement mineral crystal, and the case back and crown screw down tightly with ample threading. The factory case back stickers are still in place, thought the inspection info has worn away over time. It’s attached to the original “pyramid” bar link bracelet with a matching sand blasted finish, and will comfortably accommodate wrist sizes up to 8”. After service and a fresh battery, it’s keeping perfect time and all functions are operating as they should. This minty Ana/Digi will be an easy addition to any rotation.

Original Seiko “Pyramid” Bar Link Bracelet with SQ Clasp

Serviced- 4/24

Diameter- 40mm

Lugs- 18mm