The history of Seiko will not be unfamiliar to frequenters of the Horologii blog, but its story holds a significant importance over today’s two Seiko limited editions so be prepared to hear it once again. For the new Seiko Ginza 140th Anniversary watches, it is the Tokyo district of Ginza that receives honour as the Japanese watch manufacturer celebrates 140 years of the neighbourhood being home.
In 1881, 21-year-old Kintaro Hattori opened a shop selling and repairing clocks and watches in the Ginza district of central Tokyo. Later, the same gentlemen would eventually establish one of the most important Japanese watchmaking companies in the world, Seiko. In the 140 years since, Seiko has operated in the very same area of Tokyo and for a similar duration, a Seiko clock has watched over Ginza’s famous crossroads from the roof of the Wako store where one of the world’s largest Seiko flagship stores is located. The area is also home to the Seiko Museum, a Seiko Prospex boutique and Seiko Dream Square.
In honour of the Tokyo district that has accommodated Seiko since it’s birth, the brand has introduced two Seiko Ginza 140th Anniversary Limited Edition watches, the first a piece from their best-selling Prospex collection and the second a dressy Presage watch. Both designs feature a striking “paved” dial design inspired by the Western style stone street paving areas in Ginza. The stunning blue-grey “Konparu-iro” colour also represents the reflections of the sky in the glass cityscape as well as being one of Japan’s culture colours. The seconds hands also pay tribute to the district’s history with Komparu, a traditional Japanese colour named after Komparu Street where Ginza’s nightlife was once centred.
Seiko Prospex Alpinist Ginza 140th Anniversary Limited Edition (SPB259J1)
The Seiko Prospex Alpinist Ginza 140th Anniversary delivers the unique, blue-patterned dial within their freshly relaunched Alpinist architecture which pays tribute to the 1959 Seiko Alpinist sports watch. Its overall specifications relay the same as those launched earlier this year including a 38mm diameter, 12.9mm height, stainless steel case, domed sapphire crystal glass, a screw in crown and a water resistance of 200 metres. Its main difference is the signature dial which beautifully reflects the light at different angles. The hands are characteristically sword shaped and adorned with Lumibrite as are the sharp indexes. Powering the hours, minutes, seconds, and date complication is the calibre 6R35, an automatic winding movement with a 70 hour power reserve and a 3Hz frequency viewable through the case back. The Seiko Prospex Alpinist Ginza 140th Anniversary Limited Edition is completed on a three-link stainless steel bracelet secured by a classic folding buckle and is restricted to 3,500 pieces.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 38mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: Calibre 6R35 automatic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 70 hours
- Jewels: 24
- Frequency: 21,600vph
- Dial: Grey-blue with Lumibrite hands and indexes
- Strap: Steel bracelet
- RRP: £670
- Limited Edition: 3,500 pieces
Seiko Presage Ginza 140th Anniversary Limited Edition (SSA445J1)
The second and final instalment in Seiko’s new limited edition collection is the Presage Ginza 140th Anniversary watch. This design delivers the same blue-grey textured dial and pastel blue seconds hand as the Prospex above but within their recently launched Presage 60’s Style build. The Seiko Presage 60’s Style collection takes inspiration from a historic Seiko chronograph from the 1960’s with a selection of simple time and date and skeletonised 24-hour models. It is the latter aesthetic that the new Seiko Presage Ginza 140th Anniversary Limited Edition approves of with the cobblestone-inspired backdrop equipped with a stunning balance-exposing aperture and a 24 hour indicator. The dimensions of the watch follow suit to previous editions with a 40.8mm diameter, 12.8mm height and stainless steel construction disrupted by a black aluminium bezel with 60 minute scale. Protecting the watch is box-shaped Hardlex crystal, a 50 metre water resistant rating and a see-through case back exposing the calibre 4R39 automatic movement with a 3Hz frequency and 41 hour power reserve. The Seiko Presage Ginza 140th Anniversary watch is a limited edition of 4,000 pieces.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 40.8mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Black aluminium, 60 minute scale
- Glass: Box-shaped Hardlex crystal
- Crown: Non-screw locked
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 50 metres
- Movement: Calibre 4R39 automatic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, 24 hour indicator
- Power Reserve: 41 hours
- Jewels: 24
- Frequency: 21,600vph
- Dial: Grey-blue with Lumibrite hands and indexes, skeletonised aperture
- Strap: Steel bracelet
- RRP: £520
- Limited Edition: 4,000 pieces
