Prospex, Presage and Astron take inspiration from the many faces of Japan to celebrate Seiko’s 140th anniversary.
manufacturing facility. The story of Seiko had started.
When Kintaro Hattori founded his company in 1881, he was just 21 years old. During his fifty years at the helm, Seiko became the leading watch company in Japan, with its own design and production facilities. This achievement was a direct result of his single-minded vision that Seiko should be
“Always one step ahead of the rest”. His words resonate still and continue to inspire Seiko today. Throughout this year, Seiko will release a series of creations that embody the spirit of Kintaro’s words and honor the 140th anniversary of the founding of his company.
The celebrations start with a series of Prospex, Presage and Astron watches inspired by the landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes of Japan.
A Prospex diver’s collection inspired by the beauty of Iriomote Island
The island of Iriomote in Okinawa Prefecture attracts divers from all over Japan and elsewhere.
Its abundant coral reefs teem with marine life but the island’s special charm lies in the primeval and pristine mangrove forests that surround it. Further, Iriomote is home to several species of flora and fauna that are rare and, in some instances, unique to the island. With its reefs, jungle,
mangrove forests, beaches, rivers and waterfalls, Iriomote is an island of rich and varied beauty whose verdant nature is reflected in the deep green of the dials in this new series of timepieces.
The two mechanical watches in this Iriomote-inspired series are based on Seiko’s celebrated 1968 diver’s. One is a 300 meter water resistant, eight beat diver’s watch with a unique onepiece case structure. Suitable for saturation as well as air diving, it is made, assembled and adjusted by the
skilled craftsmen and women of Shizukuishi and powered by Caliber 8L35, which was created especially for diver’s watches. The second mechanical watch is a contemporary reinvention of the 1968 original. It houses a six beat caliber and is 200 meter water resistant.
Both are offered as limited editions, of 3,000 and 6,000 respectively. The third watch in the series is a 200m solar chronograph. It, too, is a limited edition of 4,000. All three are presented on stainless steel bracelets but are also accompanied by an extra silicone strap. All three watches
will be available in March at Seiko Boutiques and selected Seiko retailers worldwide.
A Presage Sharp Edged Series automatic watch, inspired by the Tokyo dawn.
