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I think it's a transition phase while they go to the new movements and some of the new design language (and raise the prices). They'll probably phase out some of the older designs over time. I agree though, it's probably too similar to the existing models.
What they needed - and people have been asking for - is a 40mm x 12mm diver. But Seiko gonna Seiko.
The case is quite a nice design:
The new diver is also handsome but again we're in 44 x 14mm territory