Continuing its celebration of 110 years of wristwatchmaking, Seiko is introducing three new King Seiko executions and a special edition. In 1913, Kintaro Hattori introduced the first Japanese wristwatch christened the “Laurel”. The traditional brand announced earlier this year that 2023 will see a host of special edition timepieces commemorating this milestone event.
With its eye-catching dial, the Seiko Watchmaking 110th Anniversary King Seiko Limited Edition takes center stage. The dark brown gradient watch face, covered by a box-shaped sapphire crystal, is inspired by an ancient Japanese geometric pattern known as Kikkoumon, which mimics the hexagonal shape of a tortoise shell. The design is a nod to the 1960s origins of King Seiko, which was born at a facility in the Kameido section of Tokyo, once known as Kameshima, an area bounded by rivers and streams and called “Tortoise Island.”
Water-resistant to 100 meters and protected against magnetic fields up to 4,800 A/m, the stainless steel case measures 37.0 x 12.1 mm and is characterized by the signature bold lugs with pronounced angles and white flat surfaces, all with mirror and hairline finishing. Limited to 1,200 pieces, the Reference SPB365 is powered by the tried-and-tested self-winding movement 6R31 with a power reserve of 70 hours and a stop seconds function.
Pricing for the Seiko Watchmaking 110th Anniversary King Seiko Limited Edition (ref. SPB365) is marked at approximately $2,100 when converted into USD. Each watch comes with an additional leather strap with a King Seiko clasp.
In addition to the former, Seiko is also debuting three new executions of the regular King Seiko, a premium collection that originated in 1965 and was re-introduced in 2021. While the first revival featured 37mm diameter cases and excluded the date, the new King Seiko SPB369, SPB371 and SPB373 have upsized 39 mm steel cases with a height of 11.7 mm as well as a date indication at 3 o’clock. Water-resistant to 100 meters and protected against magnetic fields up to 4,800 A/m, the steel case also features some design updates, such as wider lugs with hairline and mirror polish finishing on the bezel.
While the green and blue dials are sunray finished, the white execution is distinguished by a subtle pattern of vertical and horizontal hairline finishing techniques, channeling the dials of certain vintage King Seiko watches.
The trio is driven by the new Caliber 6R55, which beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers an increased power reserve of 72 hours. All three watches join the main King Seiko collection and will be available from March 2023 at select Seiko Boutiques and retail partners worldwide. Each comes with the same seven-link bracelet seen in 37mm King Seiko watches, so these bracelets are interchangeable between the two watch sizes.
Pricing for the King Seiko SPB369, SPB371 and SPB373 is marked at approximately $2,000 when converted to USD.
To learn more, visit Seiko, here.
Why so small!?
Love these pieces !!!!!!