Japanese watch brand Seiko is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year. And that is being celebrated with a number of very special Limited Edition watches that are entirely in the spirit of Seiko founder Kintaro Hattori.
Hattori was a forward-thinking watchmaker whose goal was to always stay one step ahead of others. With this vision, and inspired by the extraordinary Japanese landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes, Seiko has created a special collection that will be available this year only – in limited editions.
As green as Iriomote Island: Prospex diving watches SPB207, SLA047, SSC807
The inspiration for this series of watches comes from the nature around the island of Iriomote in Okinawa Prefecture. Unique species of animals and plants grow and flourish here. They are a magnet for divers and nature lovers from all over the world.
The reefs, jungles, mangrove forests, beaches, rivers and waterfalls have an unprecedentedly rich and varied beauty, the nature of which is reflected in the deep green dials of this anniversary series of Prospex watches.
The second mechanical watch – model SPB207 – is a contemporary reinterpretation of the 1968 original and produced in a limited edition of 6,000 pieces worldwide.
The diving watch is equipped with a 6-beat caliber 6R35 movement, is water resistant to 200 meters and has a power reserve of no less than 70 hours.
Model SLA047 is a 300m water resistant, 8-beat diver’s watch with a unique one-piece case structure. Suitable for both saturation diving and compressed air diving.
The watch is made, assembled and customized by Shizukuishi’s skilled craftsmen in a limited edition of 3,000 pieces worldwide. It is powered by a 8L35 caliber movement specially developed for diver’s watches.
The third model in this series is the SSC807 chronograph. This watch is 200 meters water resistant and equipped with a Solar V192 movement, released in a limited edition of 4,000 pieces worldwide.
The two mechanical watches in this series are based on Seiko’s renowned diver’s watches from 1968. All three watches come in a special box with an extra silicone strap.
Presage Sharp Edged SPB205; Brilliant as the rising morning sun over Tokyo.
Introduced in 2020, the Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series combines flat surfaces with sharp angles. Wherever the light falls on the case, it creates a dazzling effect. Characteristic of the Sharp Edged Series is the use of the Asanoha or hemp leaf pattern on the dial, which further enhances the intriguing incidence of light.
For this special anniversary edition, gold-colored indexes and hands are combined with a deep black dial that evokes the golden morning light falling over Tokyo.
The watch, which is produced in a limited edition of only 4,000 pieces worldwide, comes in a special box with an additional leather strap.
The case is made of stainless steel with a super-hard black coating. The structured dial with Asanoha pattern is clearly visible through the anti-reflective, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
The SPB205 is an automatic watch with Caliber 6R35 movement with a beat rate of 21,600 per hour and 70 hours of power reserve.
Want to know more about these beautiful watches? Then read this article about the Sharp Edged series.
The magic of Yozakura captured in the Astron SSH083
In Japan, the cherry blossom – sakura – has a special meaning. As a typical spring flower, the Sakura has symbolized transient beauty for centuries. It is closely linked to bushido, the life philosophy of the samurai, who saw life as beautiful but short.
In Japan, there is even a special word for the magical and ethereal appearance of these flowers under a clear starry sky: Yozakura.
The dial softly darkens towards the six o’clock position, creating a mysterious nocturnal depth.
The advanced GPS Solar Dual-Time 5X53 caliber adjusts to the exact time anywhere in the world.
The matte black case together with the black strap represents the night sky, and the subtly shimmering purple-pink dial symbolizes the breathtaking beauty of Yozakura.
The case of the SSH083 has the same curved silhouette and wide lugs as the original Seiko Quartz Astron from 1969. This watch, produced in a limited edition of 1,500 pieces worldwide, also comes in a special box.
Sneak preview: Even more special anniversary watches
But that’s not all! Later this spring, another series of special watches will be released. The four watches in this anniversary series have a blue-silver-white color scheme. Yet they all have their own character. The Astron GPS Solar represents the pinnacle of high-tech electronic movements, while the Presage GMT automatic is a traditional mechanical watch.
The Prospex watch is a modern reinterpretation of Seiko’s very first diving watch from 1965. And the Seiko 5 Sports symbolizes the appreciation that sports watch enthusiasts have cherished for this series for more than half a century.
These four watches will be available from May 2021. So keep an eye on our special Seiko anniversary page and be quick. Because these watches will also be released in a very limited edition.