Seiko Celebrates 145 Years with New “Edo Purple” Watches

145 years ago, a young man known as Kintaro Hattori opened a shop in Tokyo’s Ginza district for the sale and repair of timepieces. This story, which started in 1881, is that of one of the most important brands incorporated in Japan: Seiko. In the years since, the company has grown alongside Japan’s largest metropolis, the two being closely related still. Honouring its 145th anniversary as well as the city that saw its creation, Seiko is now releasing several limited edition models – the Alpinist HBC006, Presage Cocktail Time HCB006 and Seiko 5 Sports SKX HDB003 – all using a traditional, Tokyo-inspired colour, Edo Purple. 

As Tokyo, once known as Edo, evolved, so too did its cultural expressions, including distinctive colours that reflected the sensibilities of each era. During the Edo period (from 1603 to 1868), when the cultural foundations of present-day Tokyo were laid, a traditional Japanese colour known as “Edo purple” emerged. While part of the broader lineage of purples long appreciated in Japan, it came to be loved as a colour reflecting the distinctive character of Edo and has been passed down to the present day. Marking its 145th anniversary, Seiko introduces a new series of limited-edition timepieces (6 in total, including the 3 mechanical models presented here), all bearing a purple dial in honour of Edo/Tokyo.

Prospex Alpinist “Edo Purple” HBC006

First in line for this commemorative collection is a classic of the brand, the modern interpretation of Seiko’s first sports watch, a 1959 model designed for exploration, the Alpinist. Contrary to previous vintage-inspired models, we’re here looking at a contemporary version based on the SARB-series introduced in 1995, with its rotating compass bezel and additional crown at 4 o’clock. Housed in a steel case, the new Alpinist HBC006 measures 39.5mm in diameter and 12.7mm in height. It’s also a fairly robust model, with a 200m water-resistance. Like most modern Alpinist watches, it is characterised by its internal rotating bezel with a 360-degree compass.

This limited edition is rendered unique with a sunray-brushed, light purple dial with the model’s classic wedge-shaped indexes and Arabic numerals, and gold-coloured accents on the Seiko logo and seconds hand. Power comes from the calibre 6R55, an in-house automatic movement with date and 3-day power reserve. The watch is worn on a black leather strap, with crocodile pattern, purple stitching and a three-fold clasp. It is limited to 7,000 pieces worldwide and priced at EUR 980.

Quick facts: 39.5mm x 12.7mm – steel case, sapphire crystal with magnifier, see-through screw case back, screw-down crown, 200m water-resistant – purple dial with inner rotating compass bezel – automatic calibre 6R55, 72h power reserve, 3Hz frequency – leather strap with folding clasp – reference HBC006

Presage Cocktail Time GMT “Edo Purple” HCB006

The second mechanical model in this 145th collection is based on Seiko’s modern and distinctive interpretation of a dress watch, the Cocktail Time. Part of the Presage family, these watches have never been shy of using colours, and the new HCB006 is no exception to the rule. Housed in a steel case measuring 40.5mm in diameter and 12.8mm in thickness, it combines polished and brushed surface and the dial is protected by a box-shaped Hardlex crystal. This version is worn on a 5-link steel bracelet with a folding clasp.

The most distinctive element is the dial, and its GMT function – a complication launched in 2024 within this series – it features a glossy, textured dial with a vibrant purple colour. The watch is inspired by an original cocktail, “Edo Murasaki,” created by Hisashi Kishi (owner of Star Bar). The radial pattern is visible under the deep yet translucent purple tone, combined with gold-colored accents on the logo and GMT hand. The HCB006 is powered by the calibre 4R34, an office-style automatic GMT movement first seen on the 5 Sports GMT. This new Presage Cocktail Time GMT “Edo Purple” is limited to 6,000 pieces and retails for EUR 620.

Quick facts: 40.5mm x 12.8mm – steel case, Hardlex crystal, see-through screw case back, 50m water-resistant – textured dial with translucent purple colour – automatic calibre 4R34, 41h power reserve, 3Hz frequency, GMT function – 5-link steel bracelet with folding clasp – reference HCB006

Seiko 5 Sports SKX “Edo Purple” HDB003

Last, at least when it comes to the mechanical models, Seiko also applied the Edo Purple colour to its entry-level sports/aquatic model, the 5 Sports SKX series. Based on one of the brand’s most iconic watches, the SKX007, this accessible model retains everything that has made the 5 Sports series successful so far: a fairly robust case measuring 42.5mm, a crown at 4 o’clock, a rotating bezel with black Hardlex insert and 60-minute scale and a decent 100m water-resistance. Power comes from the ubiquitous calibre 4R36, an automatic movement running at 3Hz and boasting 41 hours of power reserve.

The main distinction with other watches from the series is, as you’d expect, the dial. Indeed, this new HDB003 features a deep, sunray brushed purple dial with gold-colored accents and the sharp, vertically striated indexes that were, together with the Hardlex bezel, part of the new generation, redesigned 5 Sports SKX Series launched in 2025. In the same vein, it comes on the refreshed steel bracelet with a folding clasp. It is limited to 9,999 pieces and priced at EUR 450.

Quick facts: 42.5mm x 13.9mm – steel case, Hardlex crystal, see-through screw case back, 100m water-resistant – sunray-brushed purple dial – automatic calibre 4R36, 41h power reserve, 3Hz frequency – 3-link steel bracelet with folding clasp – reference HDB003

All the watches will be available beginning in October 2026 at the Seiko Boutiques and select retail stores worldwide. For more details, please consult seikowatches.com.