Seiko is crowning the 110th anniversary of combining unique Japanese craftsmanship with traditional watchmaking with four new models added to the Presage product line.
The history of the famous brand begins in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori opened a shop in Ginza to repair and sell watches. Producing Japan's first wristwatch, Laurel, in 1913, Seiko continues on its way with firm steps, advancing the art of watchmaking with both technology and craftsmanship in the following years.
Today, four special models under the Presage Craftsmanship line celebrate the 110th anniversary of Seiko watchmaking. Each model showcases traditional Japanese craftsmanship combined with Seiko's mechanical watchmaking skills, offering a unique balance of beauty and precision.
Presage Craftsmanship collection sheds light on traditional Japanese crafts with its powerful dials. In each of the four models, a different craftsman and his team come together to apply their techniques on the Seiko Presage dial, which they use like a miniature canvas. For this special anniversary collection, Seiko is presenting a limited edition Presage model in each of four materials: Enamel, Urushi lacquer, Arita porcelain, and Shippo enamel.
The limited edition watches use a new case form with refined angles and elegant proportions. The structure of the case presents a slimmer appearance on the wrist, while at the same time highlighting the dials prepared by the craftsmen. Each dial has a new design with changing Roman numerals and indexes, giving a brand-new look to the familiar classic watch collection. Thanks to their double-domed sapphire crystals, the dials look closer and more legible, thus strikingly displaying the craftsmanship.
Created by master craftsman Mitsuru Yokosawa and his team, the all-white enamel dial comes with a red Roman numeral index at 12 o'clock, reminiscent of the original Laurel wristwatch from 1913. At the bottom of the dial is the Caliber 6R24, which is equipped with date, day of the week, and power reserve features while giving life to the watch. Completed with a black leather strap, this model offers a classic look, while its enamel dial made with traditional techniques ensures that the striking white look will be preserved for years.
Urushi lacquer is a centuries-old decorative art that is almost synonymous with Japanese craft. Often found on elegant objects such as soup bowls or furniture, Urushi comes to life in this dial with an innovative method used to achieve a flat surface. In coppery brown tones, it is inspired by the streetscape of Kanazawa, the city in Ishikawa Prefecture meaning "golden swamp". This is also known as the place where Urushi master Isshu Tamura and his team work to provide samples of the most iconic Urushi polishes in all of Japan. Just like the watch with a white enamel dial, the Urushi lacquer model comes to life with the Caliber 6R24. The elegant model is fastened to the wrist with a dark brown leather strap.
Seiko Presage Craftsmanship Series Enamel Dial SPB393 and Urushi Lacquer Dial SPB395 models come in super-hard coated stainless steel cases with sapphire crystals on the front and back. Designed with dimensions of 40.2mm x 12.8mm, the case is waterproof up to 100 meters.
The new ivory color of the Arita dial takes the wearer to the Izumiyama Ceramic Stone Field in Arita, a small town in Saga Prefecture, whose name is associated with Japanese porcelain for over 400 years of history. Master craftsman Hiroyuki Hashiguchi and his team produce the dials through a multi-step process that requires tremendous skill and patience, and by firing them several times in a fire oven to preserve their rich color, texture, and depth over the years.
Seiko's high-performance movement Caliber 6R27 is used in this model, which features a date sub-dial at 6 o'clock and a power reserve indicator at 9 o'clock. A dark brown leather strap completes the stylish model.
The tone of blue used on the Shippo dial evokes a vast ocean. So it seems fitting that a blue plate that came to Japan by sea from the Netherlands hundreds of years ago ignited the spark of Owari Shippo's art. This art is later developed in the Japanese style and finds its place in the national culture.
The feature that distinguishes Shippo enamel from others is the way it is polished after firing. The fact that each watch face is only 1mm thick makes the process more complicated than it needs to be. Master craftsman Wataru Totani and his team handcraft the surface of the dial, set it on fire, and polish the surface to reveal the stunning wave pattern. He repeats this process many times. Equipped with Caliber 6R27, which adds a new visual layer to the model with time, date, and power reserve indicators, the model is complemented by a dark blue leather strap.
Seiko Presage Craftsmanship Series Arita Porcelain Dial SPB397 and Shippo Enamel Dial SPB399 models come with a super hard coated stainless steel case with sapphire crystals on the front and back. Designed with dimensions of 40.6mm x 14.1mm, the case is waterproof up to 100 meters.
All models will be available in Seiko boutiques and select watch stores around the world from June 2023. Watches with enamel, Urushi lacquer, and Arita porcelain dials will be produced in a limited edition of 1,500. The Shippo enamel dial watch will be offered in a limited number of 800 pieces.
