Seiko Unveils 4 New Presage Models Paying Homage to Traditional Japanese Handcraft

Known for its pocket-friendly timepieces, Japanese watchmaker Seiko has unveiled its new Presage collection. With the addition of four new models, these timepieces join the Presage Craftsmanship Series to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Seiko watchmaking. While the newly launched Prospex from Seiko features a sports GMT complication, the Presage has always been admired as a more sophisticated dress watch. As part of the 110th anniversary celebrations, the timepiece maker has unveiled the latest Seiko Presage models. 

While the newly launched Prospex from Seiko features a sports GMT complication, the Presage has always been admired as a more sophisticated dress watch. As part of the 110th anniversary celebrations, the timepiece maker has unveiled the latest Seiko Presage models. 

Paying tribute to traditional Japanese handcraft, the four new Presage Craftsmanship Series watches are crafted with enamel (Ref. SPB393), Urushi lacquer (Ref. SPB395), Arita porcelain (Ref. SPB397) and Shippo enamel (Ref. SPB399).

‍ENAMEL SPB393 & URUSHI SPB395

The first two models deploy similar watchmaking techniques. Ref. SPB393 is a classic white enamel timepiece created by well-known enamel craftsman Mitsuru Yokosawa. The watch has a red ‘12’ Roman hour marker with blue hour, minute and second hands,  inspired by the original Laurel watch, Japan’s first wristwatch, introduced by Seiko in 1913. This model comes with a black date semicircle from 7 o’clock to 5 o’clock, a semicircle power reserve indicator from 9 o’clock to 10 o’clock and a date-of-the-week indicator from 2 o’clock to 3 o’clock. This model is finished on a black leather strap. 

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Next is Ref. SPB395. The dial of this latest Seiko Presage model has been crafted using the Urushi lacquer technique. This reference is presented on a copper brown dial. The watch comes with a golden 12 o’ clock hour marker and golden seconds hands along with 11 white hour markers and white hour, minute hands. The latest Seiko watch model also comes with a white date semicircle from 7 o’clock to 5 o’clock, a semicircle power reserve indicator from 9 o’clock to 10 o’clock and a date-of-the-week indicator from 2 o’clock to 3 o’clock. This reference is finished on a brown leather strap.

Each of these references is limited to 1,500 pieces and comes in a 40.2mm stainless steel case with brushed and polished surfaces and a sapphire crystal top. Power comes from the automatic calibre 6R24 movement with a 45-hour power reserve. Both models come with see-through casebacks and their straps have three-fold clasps.

ARITA SPB397 & SHIPPO SPB399

From an aesthetic perspective, the latest Seiko Presage models — Arita porcelain (Ref. SPB397) and Shippo enamel (Ref. SPB399) — have been created using different techniques. The new ivory dial of Ref. SPB397 can transport its wearer to the Izumiyama Ceramic Stone Field in Arita, a small town in Japan's Saga Prefecture, steeped in more than 400 years of history. This quarry has always been synonymous with high-quality Japanese porcelain. The Arita porcelain dial has a golden Roman 12 o’clock marker with a golden second hand. The watch comes with black Roman numerals, black hour, minute hands, a black power reserve indicator in a semicircle layout from 8 o’clock to 10 o’clock and a black date subdial at 6 o’clock. This model is finished on a dark brown leather strap. 

Ref. SPB399 is a complex timepiece with a more detailed dial. The latest Seiko watch model uses a Shippo enamel technique that has a guilloché pattern with a deep blue surface. The dial has a golden Roman 12 o’clock marker with a golden second hand. The watch comes with white Roman numerals, white hour, minute hands, a white power reserve indicator in a semicircle layout from 8 o’clock to 10 o’clock and a white date subdial at 6 o’clock. This model is finished on a blue leather strap. 

Both references come in 40.6mm stainless steel cases with brushed and polished surfaces, and are limited to 1,500 pieces each. Powering the watches is the  in-house automatic calibre 6R27 movement with a 45-hour power reserve. Common to both watches are the three-fold folding clasp and an enlarged crown at 3 o’clock.

Also common to all four references is the use of IIII, instead of IV, to display 4 o’clock in order to make the dial symmetrically balanced.

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