Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series Limited Editions

A design that evokes akebono, a Japanese term for when the darkness of night gives way to dawn

The Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series combines traditional mechanical watchmaking with distinctively modern Japanese style. It pairs the lauded refinement of Japanese design with strong, angular cases. The latest Sharp Edged Series models are a pair of limited-editions that express the moment when dawn’s early light penetrates the dark of night.

The dials have a stunning gradation, with a bright center framed by a darkening perimeter. This is inspired by akebono, when the dark of night gives way to the first glimmers of dawn. The pink gold hands and indexes represent the morning sun, shining through the sky with the first glimmers of light. The all-black case and bracelet with hard coating are reminiscent of the dawn sky, foreshadowing the day ahead.

With a design steeped in a Japanese word for dawn, the latest Presage Sharp Edged limited editions call to mind fresh starts, new beginnings, and the arrival of another day.

The patterned dial incorporates a traditional Japanese asanoha, or “hemp leaf” pattern, giving the surface a bold three-dimensional quality thanks to a network of intersecting straight lines. The asanoha pattern symbolizes growth and success in life and is popular as a kimono and baby wrapping design. While the pattern has been seen in previous watches in the Sharp Edged Series, this is the first time it has been adapted to evoke the dramatic time of akebono.

The pattern is achieved through slight differences in height on the 0.4mm thick metal plate. The pattern reflects light in different directions, creating a deep and beautiful luster on the dial. This depth is complemented and enhanced by other light-reflecting elements of the display. The indexes and second hand were inspired by the image of golden sunshine peeking through the still-dark early-morning sky. Unlike previous Sharp Edged models, the indexes have adopted a reflective, trapezoidal shape inspired by a ray of sunshine, and the second hand has a tip that calls to mind a ray of light. A painted gradient on the dial adds depth before a subsequent lapping process flattens the surface, enabling a rich, glossy polished finish.

The cases and bracelets are noteworthy for their flat surfaces and namesake sharp edges, resulting in a reflective silhouette and a stylish statement on the wrist. The contrast of mirror-polished and hairline surfaces accentuates the three-dimensional effect of each limited edition, and the hard, all-black coating reinforces the theme of akebono in the design by calling to mind the darkness that surrounds the first light of morning.

The see-through case back of each watch is marked with the words “Limited Edition” and the serial number. It also allows the wearer to view the automatic mechanical movement working. In the case of the SPB363, the movement is the caliber 6R35, which features the time and date. In the SPB361, it’s the caliber 6R64, which features the time, date, power-reserve indication, and a GMT function with locally jumping hour hand.

* In an actual product, the case back direction might be different from the photograph.