Seiko's 1980s H558 - like this near new-old stock (NOS) full-serviced 1982 Seiko H558-5000 analog/digital dive watch here, with its box and papers - was worn by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who noted it as his "favorite watch" (while chomping on a cigar and yelling "Get to the choppa!" we imagine) in a string of action movies that set the bar for, well, action, in the 1980s.
Epic 1980s films like “Predator (1987),” “Raw Deal (1986),” “Commando (1985)," - which still has the highest fatality count in an action move, I mean, if you’re into that sort of thing - "Running Man (1987)," and "Twins (1988)." And yes, even the epic "Terminator 2 (1991)." In 2019, Seiko would re-release the watch under its Prospex line, and even these continue to carry the sale Arnie moniker.
It's worth quoting in-depth Fratello's feelings for the Seiko H558 Arnie - "Now, I feel a bit like an old geezer in saying this because I realize some of our readers might be a bit younger, but Schwarzenegger was massive in the 80’s and early 90’s. Sure, there were other action stars (Stallone, Van Damme, Lundgren, and others), but Arnie kicked the most ass."
"Plus, he was hard not to like and due to his often self-deprecating style of acting, there was a genuine feel about him. People liked him so much that he was elected governor of California – twice – as a Republican! ...I’ll cut to the chase, the Seiko H558 Arnie is a cool watch and certainly worthy of the collectable status that it enjoys. "
Released in 1982 (with a production run through circa 1990), the Seiko H558 was the first hybrid dive watch rated to 150 meters. The Japanese are well known for their extreme adventures around the world, and Seiko wanted to provide a watch whose users could rely on with their lives.
Seiko designed its H558 (and the H601) with a few rugged characteristics – many lifesaving. Here are a few (remember, some of these were when the H558 was new, not necessarily now):
1. Water resistance to 10 atmospheric-pressure depth;
2. Shock resistance from 3 feet;
3. Abrasion resistant Hardlex was used, all the better to stand up to decompression;
4. Resistance to chemical and gas exposure, such as alcohols and cosmetic oils, and ammonia gas and carbon monoxide;
5. Bright luminescence allowing readability from 25cm in complete darkness; and,
6. Engineered to withstand temperatures of -40C to 60C (after all, it was tested on expeditions to the south and north poles, as well as, of course an Everest ascent in 1988).
This near NOS 1982 Seiko H558 comes on a rubber Uncle Straps GL831 dive strap, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, Seiko H558 instructions manual, Seiko Quartz box, and springbar tool.
Want the vintage Viet Nam-era Bell UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" military helicopter advert? Find it available here.
Near NOS 1982 Seiko H558-5000 "Arnie" Multi-Function Diver, Box & Papers
DIAL: Black Seiko-signed dial in good condition, with vibrant red font (and with virtually zero UV fade!) and perfect pearly-white sugar cube-like granular lume on dial; lume shines quite nicely.
CASE: Stainless-steel case, with its original Seiko shroud (the original plastic shrouds by now are quite fragile and break easily - but not this one!), which measures 48.5mm x 47.5mm with matching stainless-steel caseback. The H558 shroud surrounds a bezel in excellent condition, with an intact bezel insert featuring next to no wear and an excellent lume pip; bi-directional bezel rotates as designed.
CRYSTAL: Seiko H558-correct Hardlex crystal features no scratches or cracks.
BAND: This great Seiko H558 example comes on a new high-quality 22mm rubber Uncle Straps strap - the strap is a well-designed close homage to the original Seiko GL831 rubber strap these Seiko Arnies were sold on; it also comes with a black, red, and white nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: Seiko H558 quartz hacking movement, manufactured in May 1982; movement uses a button-cell battery. All functions– including GMT, alarm, stopwatch – work (to include the light on the LCD display). All LCD segments work well and are clearly legible – LCD contrast is excellent. Movement has no evidence of previous battery leakage. The H558 featured an altogether different and more robust quartz movement than its little brother, the H601 "Upside Down Arnie," which unlike the H558, has its LCD display at the bottom of the dial. We have performed a full service on this Seiko H558.
CROWN: Unsigned screw-down crown, which works as designed.
Of note, this Seiko H558 comes with original Seiko Diver Quartz box and Seiko H558 diver instructions manual.