As the year comes to a close, Seiko remains committed to Japanese craftsmanship in timepieces with the limited editions and new models of the Presage Collection
With more than a hundred years under its historical belt, the Presage line continues to evolve as it molds Japanese identity and mechanical artistry in their design. Since its first release in the 1960s, the timepiece honors both history and innovation as it was inspired by Seiko’s first mechanical watch, the Laurel. From its patterns to its design, the Seiko Presage embodies the growth and hope that the Japanese bring into their culture and around the world.
The Classic with five models provided the foundation. A selection of four historical colors, a choice of two dials based on silk, and the innovative 6R movements for a 72-hour power period pushed the limits of timekeeping further whilst retaining the same Japanese spirit.
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Now, the collection comes with a boost at the year’s end. New models in addition to corresponding limited editions celebrate the flexibility that the Presage can offer from its already beautifully complex base.
The New Models
Beginning with the Cocktail GMT, it radiates a classy vibrancy accentuated by its glossy dials and slim shining markers. It elegantly emulates the stem of a cocktail glass while a classical box-sharped hardlex crystal contains delicately curved hands.
Two models come in a calfskin leather band material while one comes in a stainless steel bracelet. All three let the wearer tell time in two time zones at once with the GMT function.
Perhaps doing it the best, the Craftsmanship Series limited edition exemplifies the Japanese sense of artistry. Collaborating with acclaimed animation studio Studio Ghibli, the enamel-dialed watch beautifully captures the worldview of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Like the renowned film’s distinct visuals and masterful storytelling, this limited edition timepiece ages gracefully as its own form of art.
The Porter shares the enameld-dialed element as well as being within the Craftsmanship series alongside the Nausicaä collaboration piece. This time with renowned Japanese fashion brand Porter classic, the timepiece delves deeper into perfecting the blend of traditional craft techniques with a modern design. Porter Classic has crafted a variety of Japanese made items that transcend the passage of time. Seiko’ Presage Craftsmanship series shares the same spirit.
Lastly, the Presage STAR BAR series inspires vistas of dreamlike sunsets seen in Tokyo. In collaboration with STAR BAR, two limited edition watches contain meticulously crafted visuals on its dials. Each dial is decorated with a gradation of a sunset’s progressively changing color and a wavy pattern reminiscent of clouds floating in the sky. STAR BAR owner Hisashi Kishi creates cocktails inspired by the sunsets he saw in Tokyo, as does the watch that he proudly collaborates with.
Timeless Timepieces
The Presage Collection was established to be the most accurate representation of Seiko’s spirit, and its newest additions continue to augment it. As the Japanese people embody diligence and an eternal commitment to work, so too does the Presage improve over time. In crafting watches that age gracefully with time, Seiko keeps to that mission with a spirit unbent and unbroken.
Photos: SEIKO