Seiko weaves yet another batch of gorgeous dials into the Presage lineup with five timepieces inspired by a lustrous fabric.
The Japanese brand that does it all has, unsurprisingly, done it again. While we covered the sportier and versatile Prospex Divers Collection 2 weeks ago, I have the pleasure of telling you about the latest pieces that have joined the dressier side of Seiko.
Since its debut in 2016, the Presage collection has become a household name for being able to bring some of the best dial designs to the masses. Designs like the Cocktail Time collection have garnered wide acclaim, for being both exceptionally built and finished, as well as being reasonably priced in doing so. These new releases in the Classic Series allow us to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the first Seiko-branded watch in style, and also give us yet another reason why Seiko has always been a cut above its peers.
Taking inspiration from the colours, materials, and textures found in Japanese crafts, the curved dials of the new Presage Classic Series have been imbued with a silken appearance. The classic three-hand references – SPB463 “Shiro-Iro,” SPB465 “Sensaicha,” and SPB467 “Araigaki” – all take the appearance of silken fabric, whilst the two open-heart renditions – SPB469 and SPB471 “Sumi-Iro” – are radially patterned, evoking the texture of raw silk.
Topped with lance hands, each dial colour has also been inspired by traditional Japanese artistry, having been named respectively. SPB463’s “Shiro-Iro” dial is derived from the colour of unbleached natural fabric, and the SPB465’s “Sensaicha” dials are of dark brownish-green popular in the Edo Period. The SPB467’s “Aragaki” dial is a bleached persimmon, while one open-heart reference, the SPB471 “Sumi-Iro,” is a greyish-black colour derived from a monk’s garments. While the history of the colours is just as compelling as the watches themselves, I find it challenging to tell the colour difference between the SPB465 and the SPB472. However, I am certain this will change as soon as I see the watches in person.
It’s not just the dials that are the star of the show – the 40.2mm case of the timepiece boasts soft, curved surfaces, complemented by a dual-curved sapphire crystal, bringing it to a 13mm thickness. My favourite addition is the newly developed, 1970s-era multi-row bracelet apparent on all of the released timepieces, which is beautiful for certain, but most importantly practical and ergonomic. Seiko has had challenges with the quality of their straps over the years, so it’s awesome to see them taking more action within this space.
Similar to the Prospex lineup we covered a couple of weeks ago, these five new watches will all come with a Seiko 6R movement, designed to run for an impressive 72 hours. For the three-handers, this means the Cal. 6R55, beating away at 3Hz/21,600bph and are accompanied by a date complication. For the open-hearts, this means the Cal. 6R5J. It’s not different specifications-wise, but it makes way for both the 9 o’clock open-heart and the 6 o’clock 24-hour complication. I don’t understand why a 24-hour scale would be relevant for anything other than date changes or spelunking, but it does add an extra layer of complexity to the machine and flexes the talents of the many skilled craftsmen at the Seiko workshop. All five also include a gold-coloured rotor visible through the display case back, so you can marvel at your brand-new piece from behind as well as from in front.
If you’re a person who doesn’t wear a watch over the weekend, the extra power reserve means great news! This new collection, fully wound, can run from Friday evening to Monday morning without a single bit of input from you. Perfect for a guy like me, who frequently ends up in places where you shouldn’t be wearing a fancy-looking watch – Fortitude Valley, for example. Even if you do take them out and about, they are still more than capable of taking it with their sturdy 100m water resistance – In my opinion, double what any dress watch needs.
Final Thoughts
Whilst celebrating an incredible milestone, Seiko has opted to grace us with five more incredible new dials to add to the Presage lineup. As always, Seiko is never short on inspiration, permitting their watches to not just display their level of dedication to the art and science of watchmaking, but also to pay tribute to their great nation – of which, they have done their reputation proud.
Taking the captivating elements of silk and translating them into a timepiece, these new Presage models epitomise Seiko’s vision for the collection. The sleek case also helps to enhance the overall design, but the true highlight for me would still be that beautiful new strap, which appears as ergonomic as it is elegant!
And with ergonomics comes practicality. The addition of both 100m water resistance as well as the Seiko 6R movement series is just the cherry on top of a very gorgeous cake. Again, Seiko proves itself as the standard of blending traditional and vintage stylings with modern innovation and craftsmanship. These new pieces, available June 2024, are a must-see for any new watch enthusiasts, and certainly a burgeoning contender for all of you Seikophiles out there!
Reference: Presage Classic Series – SPB463, SPB465, SPB467
Specification
- Case: 40.0 mm x 13mm thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel case with super-hard coating
- Dial: Bleached White (SPB463), Greenish-Brown (SPB465), Bleached Persimmon (SPB467)
- Crystal: Dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating See-through screw case back
- Water resistance: 100m (10 Bar)
- Movement: Self-winding automatic in-house 6R55 calibre
- Movement Frequency: 3Hz (21,600 VpH)
- Power reserve: 72 hours
- Bracelet: Stainless steel multi-row bracelet with folding clasp and push buttons
Australian Recommended Retail Price: $1,550 AUD
Reference: Presage Classic Series Open Heart – SPB469, SPB471
Specification
- Case: 40.0 mm x 13mm thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel case with super-hard coating
- Dial: Bleached White (SPB469), Charcoal Greyish-Black (SPB471)
- Crystal: Dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating See-through screw case back
- Water resistance: 100m (10 Bar)
- Movement: Self-winding automatic in-house 6R5J calibre with open-heart and 24-hour complications
- Movement Frequency: 3Hz (21,600 VpH)
- Power reserve: 72 hours
- Bracelet: Stainless steel multi-row bracelet with folding clasp and push buttons
