Seiko Adds GMT-Functionality to Presage Craftsmanship Series

Seiko unveils a new addition to its Presage Craftsmanship Series, continuing the tradition of celebrating Japanese artistry through refined mechanical watches. This latest model with the reference SPB447J1 features a striking urushi lacquer dial paired with a GMT function, a first in the collection, allowing the wearer to track two time zones simultaneously.

Urushi lacquer, prized for centuries in the crafting of bowls and utensils due to its resilience, holds cultural significance in Japan. In the Craftsmanship Series, Seiko uses an innovative technique that fuses metal and lacquer to create a smooth, lustrous surface, expertly crafted under the guidance of renowned lacquer artist Isshu Tamura. This delicate process involves applying and polishing layers of lacquer multiple times, producing the distinctive glossy depth characteristic of traditional Kanazawa lacquerware. The refined black background is accented by subtle gold tones on the GMT hand and the 24-hour scale along the outer rim. This subdued gold complements the dial’s deep, glossy black, while the brush-shaped GMT hand gracefully extends to the dial’s edge, enhancing the watch’s refined aesthetic. The sharp contrast between the dial and the three-dimensional white bar markers, polished hour and minute hands, and mirror-finished seconds hand with a half-moon counterpart ensures both elegance and exceptional legibility. Complementing the functionality is the date window at 3 o'clock, with white numerals on a black background.

The stainless steel case is 40.2mm wide and 12.4mm thick and is finished with Seiko's Super Hard Coating. Typical of the Japanese brand, it is water-resistant to 100 meters and protects the 6R54 automatic movement against magnetic fields of up to 4,800 A/m. The caliber, which can be admired through an exhibition case back, boasts a comfortable power reserve of three days and an accuracy of +25 to -15 seconds per day. It is mounted on a dark calfskin strap with a triple-folding clasp with pusher release.

Pricing is marked at $1,750.

To learn more, visit Seiko, here.