Project Phoenix - Ocean [Vintage Seiko 7548 Quartz Diver Turtle]

Project Phoenix Ocean – Vintage Seiko 7548 Diver Hand-Painted Dial Artwork by Dial Artist Matt

Reborn from forgotten time.

This is the only watch art project that deliberately selects aged and imperfect vintage Seiko watches to transform them into unique hand-painted horology artworks.

In collaboration with Matt — the British hand-painted dial artist based in Shanghai and one of the very few true masters creating authentic artwork directly on vintage watch dials — Samurai Vintage presents the Ocean chapter of Project Phoenix.

Why We Chose This Vintage Seiko Diver for Our Ocean Theme

When we discovered this naturally aged vintage Seiko 7548 Diver, we immediately knew it was destined to become our flagship Ocean piece. In Japanese horology, no watch better represents the sea than a classic Seiko diver. Its faded Pepsi-style bezel has aged into a deep, moody ocean blue, while the scattered white marks on the insert perfectly resemble bubbles rising after a powerful wave — as if the sea itself had prepped the canvas.

We preserved the original dial and let Dial Artist Matt work his magic. He meticulously hand-painted the dial with the traditional Japanese Seigaiha (青海波) wave pattern — “blue ocean waves” — a timeless motif symbolizing peace, good luck, prosperity, and resilient strength. Rising powerfully from the stylized waves is a majestic blue whale mid-leap, painted with sparkling blue pigment that creates stunning depth and makes it pop dramatically off the dial.

This is no longer just a vintage Seiko watch. It is a one-of-a-kind hand-painted watch artwork — a true piece of movable horology art.

A unique piece of watch horology art by a real artist 

The Seiko 7548-7000 (Black Bezel) is a legendary vintage Seiko diver from October 1981. Launched in 1978 and produced until 1985, it was Seiko’s first mainstream quartz diver, built on the robust platform of the iconic 6309 mechanical diver. Known for its tough construction and reliable performance, the 7548 remains a favorite among vintage Seiko collectors.

Information about the Seiko 7548

The Seiko 7548-7000 (Black Bezel) is a true icon from October 1981. Released in 1978 and produced until 1985, it was Seiko’s first mainstream quartz diver — a groundbreaking model that brought reliable, high-performance diving capability to a wider audience. Built on the robust platform of the legendary 6309 mechanical diver, the 7548A quartz movement is famously over-engineered, sharing many mechanical parts while delivering precise quartz accuracy.

Specifications

Maker: Seiko

Model: 7548-7000 (Black Bezel)

Era: Dec 1980

Case Diameter: 42 mm

Lug to Lug: 45 mm

Lug Width: 22 mm

Case Condition: Mint with original finishes still visible; light daily-use scratches that add honest character

Glass: Scratch-free original Seiko mineral crystal

Dial Condition: Matte black in excellent shape with evenly developed warm patina on the lume plots and hands, the dial is hand painted by Dial Artist Matt which is truly a 1 of 1 art piece.

Bezel Condition: Original bidirectional rotating bezel, aged gracefully to resemble bubbles rising to the surface after a powerful wave

Movement: Newly serviced 7548A quartz with fresh battery — precise, reliable, and ready for the next chapter

Water-resistant to 150 meters when new, this diver was designed to withstand the harsh realities of the sea — making it the ideal canvas for our oceanic rebirth.

Created by Samurai Vintage in true partnership with Dial Artist Matt, this piece blends Eastern tradition with Western artistry. It is a unique collectible you can wear, admire, and spark conversations about vintage Seiko divers, custom watch painting, and horology art.

Project Phoenix — where forgotten vintage Seiko companions rise again as one-of-a-kind hand-painted artworks.

The journey continues with Sky and Earth chapters.