Established in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori, Seiko’s rich history provides an opportunity each year to reflect on a technical milestone from the past. Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the official, modern Seiko brand, which was marked by the first wristwatch bearing the Seiko lettering on its dial in 2024.
Kicking off the anniversary year, Seiko announced the first commemorative timepiece, the Seiko Presage Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition. Just as with the 1924 original, the SPB441 features an enamel dial whose depth and beauty are made possible thanks to master craftsman Mitsuru Yokosawa and his colleagues, who specialize in enamel production. Set against the pristine white background, the retro-styled blue hands, the Seiko lettering at 12 o’clock and the Arabic numerals recalling the distinctive typeface of that era capture the vintage feel of the original. The same rings true for the box shaped sapphire crystal that protects the dial. One difference is stems from the new Caliber 6R5H, which features a slightly recessed 24-hour sub-dial at the six o’clock position instead of the original subsidiary seconds.
This self-winding movement with a power reserve of 72 hours and a precision rate of +25 to -15 seconds per day is housed in a modestly sized stainless-steel case that measures 35.0mm wide and has a height of 12.3mm. Water-resistant to 50 meters, it is equipped with movable lugs and a pull-through leather strap, which was common at the time of the original watch’s release.
The closed case back carries the “S” logo that Kintaro Hattori registered in 1900 as a symbol of the Seikosha factory. The company founder’s name and his philosophy, “one step ahead of the rest”, are displayed above the trademark.
Limited to 1,000 pieces, the Seiko SPB441 will be available from January 2024, carrying a price tag of $1,900.
To learn more, visit Seiko, here.
