While the Seiko journey began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori opened a shop in Ginza to repair and sell timepieces, the Japanese company delved into watchmaking over three decades later. During a time when pocket watches were still the standard timekeeping device, Hattori began experimenting with wristwatches, releasing Japan’s first wristwatch in 1913.
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Named the Laurel, it marked the first of many innovations to come, including the first quartz wristwatch in 1969 and the Spring Drive technology in 1999. Next year, Seiko will celebrate the 110th anniversary of its first wristwatch with the release of a series of commemorative pieces. Kicking off proceedings is a new creation, dubbed the Seiko Watchmaking 110th Anniversary Seiko Presage, that draws aesthetic inspiration from the 1913 Laurel.
The new timepiece retains the elegance of its source material in appearance, with the Arabic numerals, blued hands, and large onion crown faithfully recreated. In addition to hours, minutes, and seconds, there’s also a power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock and a date indicator at 6 o’clock. The stainless steel case measures in at a vintage-friendly 37.5mm and is presented on a brown deer leather strap. Like the original, the new Laurel features an enamel dial, created by master craftsman Mitsuru Yokosawa and his colleagues at a workshop that specialises in enamel production.
Despite its retro styling, the Seiko Watchmaking 110th Anniversary Seiko Presage is powered by the in-house calibre 6R27, a contemporary automatic movement equipped with 45 hours of power reserve.
The Seiko Watchmaking 110th Anniversary Seiko Presage is limited to 2500 pieces and is priced at $2800AUD. The timepiece will be available from January 2023 onwards, via Seiko boutiques and retail partners.
Words by Esmé Duggan
