Inspired by the feature-length film “Porco Rosso” created by Japanese Studio Ghibli, Seiko has released two new models as part of the Presage collection in celebration of this classic film. Seiko’s Presage collection is known for its artistry of Japanese craftsmanship which brings the balance of beauty and technology together nicely. Much like the presage collection, Studio Ghibli has won animation fans worldwide for their artistic creations, which bring together creative, vivid visuals and unique storytelling.
The Porco Rosso film which Seiko’s two watches are based on was first released in 1992. The film follows the tales of an early 20th-century pilot that transforms himself into a seaplane flying pig “Proco”, who makes a living by chasing sky bandits in his aeroplane; the Savoia S-21. The two watches pay homage to the Savoia S-21 which capture its passion for mechanical engineering and technology used throughout the aeroplane.
The two watches released by Seiko in honour of the Savoia S-21 is the SNR047 Presage Spring drive, and the SRQ033 Presage Automatic. Seiko has tried to depict the beauty and individuality of the Savoia S-21 in both these watches. The dial of both watches has clear large numerals, bold hands and intricate markers, which all take inspiration from the aeroplane’s instrument panel. The white and black dial colours have been explicitly designed to create a feeling of the texture used for the materials on the Savoia S-21.
The white dial SNR047 Presage Spring drive is clean and simple, with only the addition of the power reserve indicator at the 7 o’clock position. The Savoia S-21 distinctive red, white and green colours are shown subtly throughout the dial. The constant second hand is done in red, while the indicator hand for the power reserve is done in green. The R emblem that shown on the tail of the Savoia S-21 is also present at the 6 o’clock position on the dial. The movement used for the white dial SNR047 is Seiko’s Spring Drive Calibre 5R65. This Calibre 5R65 movement has a power reserve of up to 72 hours and accuracy of +/- 1 second per day.
The open case-back of these watches shows the Spring Drive movement, although only slightly visible. The Rotor features the Proco Rosso Symbol. Around the case back, an engraving of a famous quote from the film “A pig that does not fly is just a pig” is written in Italian.
The watches also come with leather straps that match the colours of the Savoia S-21. The white dial SNR047 gets a red leather strap with red, white and green stitching, while the black dial SRQ033 gets a black coloured strap with same stitching styles. Both watches come in a special presentation box that includes an alternative strap, and also a special message from the film’s director, Hayao Miyazaki.
Seiko will release both watches worldwide in June 2020, with the white dial SNR047 Presage Spring drive getting a limited run of 500 models and the lack dial SRQ033 Presage Automatic getting a limited release of 600 models.
Recommended retail prices in Australian Dollars:
$8,800(SNR047) / $6,200 (SRQ033)
