Four special limited-edition timepieces join the Seiko Presage Craftsmanship Series to commemorate the 110th anniversary of Seiko wristwatches. In keeping with the theme of the Presage Craftsmanship Series, each utilizes a dial made through a traditional Japanese technique.
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Enamel
The pristine white enamel dial created by master craftsman Mitsuru Yokosawa and his team features a red roman numeral at 12 o’clock, evoking the original Laurel wristwatch of 1913.
Beneath the dial is Caliber 6R24, with displays for the date, the day of the week, and the power reserve. Presented on a black leather strap, this watch makes a classic impression. Thanks to the time-honored enamel dial-making, its striking white appearance will endure for years to come.
Urushi Lacquer
Urushi lacquer is a centuries-old decorative art that is practically synonymous with Japanese craft. Typically found on fine objects such as soup bowls or furniture, Urushi comes to life on this dial through an innovative method employed to achieve a flat surface. The coppery brown hue is inspired by the streetscape of Ishikawa Prefecture’s city of Kanazawa, an evocatively named city that means “marsh of gold.”
There, Urushi master Isshu Tamura and his team employ techniques to make some of the most distinctive Urushi lacquer in all of Japan. Like the white enamel dial watch, the Urushi lacquer creation is also powered by Caliber 6R24. It is presented on a dark brown leather strap.
Arita Porcelain
This dial’s new ivory color transports the wearer to the Izumiyama Ceramic Stone Field in Arita, a small town in Saga Prefecture that is, after more than 400 years of history, inseparable from Japanese porcelain. Master craftsman Hiroyuki Hashiguchi and his team make the dials in a multi-stage process that requires tremendous skill and patience, and several firings in a scorching kiln, to lock in rich color, texture, and depth for years to come.
The movement in this watch is Seiko’s high-performance Caliber 6R27, with a sub-dial at 6 o’clock for the date and a power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock. The watch is presented on a dark brown leather strap.
Shippo Enamel
What sets Shippo enamel apart is the way it is polished after firing. The process is made more complex by the fact that each watch dial is a mere one millimeter thick. Master craftsman Wataru Totani and his team repeat a multi-step process of glazing the surface of the dial by hand, firing the dial, and polishing its surface to bring out the distinctive wave pattern. Though slender, this dial has a readily visible depth, like the oceans that inspired its design.
The watch is powered by Caliber 6R27, whose date and power reserve displays add yet another layer of visual intrigue. It is presented in a dark blue leather strap.
