Fresh from the 1970s: Seiko Brings Back the King Seiko Vanac
Much to the delight of vintage enthusiasts, Seiko commemorated 140 years in the watch business in 2021 with the Re-creation of King Seiko KSK, which had been marketed in 1965. Since then, the Japanese watch brand has released a couple of editions, all inspired from the 1960s. The latest to join the line-up is the Vanac, a style popular in the early 1970s, and distinguished by bold shapes and colors. The new collection comprises five different models: three regular ones, one limited edition and an exclusive boutique special. All of them are equipped with a new movement and a newly developed bracelet with alternating polished and brushed links.
The case and dial design of the King Seiko Vanac is inspired by Tokyo's horizon, a vista renowned for its depictions in art, film, and popular culture whose rich expressions change depending on the time of day. Its many facets are reflected by the faceted angles of the 40mm cases and vivid colors and horizontal striping of the dials protected by a box-shape crystal. The watch faces have a recessed flange that frames the applied indexes. The index at 12 o'clock and the counterweight of the second hand feature the distinctive “V” silhouette that embodies the heritage of the Vanac series.
The modern take of the Varnac is the first King Seiko to be equipped with a see-through case back. It exposes the new, finely decorated caliber 8L45, Seiko's latest and most precise mechanical movement. Thanks to an optimized main spring, it boasts a power reserve of over 72 hours and an accuracy of +10 to -5 seconds per day. The rotor and bridges of the 8L45 are decorated with a gentle wave pattern.
The regular models are the SLA083J1 Tokyo Twilight, the SLA085J1 Tokyo Midnight and the SLA087J1 Tokyo Sunrise, with purple, dark blue and silver dials.
The limited edition SLA089 Tokyo Horizon (700 pieces) picks up on the theme of the sunrise over Tokyo, which can also be found in one of the main models – but here it is interpreted with a dial in a radiant gold hue. The inscriptions on the dial and the King Seiko logo on the case back also shine in gold.
The boutique exclusive model SLA091 Tokyo, on the other hand, features an ice-blue dial that reflects the city's skyline on a clear, sunny day.
All King Seiko Vanacs will be available from July and retail for $3,300.
To learn more, visit Seiko, here.
