Seiko's 1980s H558 - like this 1982 Seiko H558-5000 analog/digital dive watch here - 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 1982 Seiko H558 comes on a rubber Uncle Straps GL831 dive strap, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, and springbar tool.
