Seiko’s Set of 4 New Watches for its 145th Anniversary, incl. a Surprising Vintage Presage

Seiko has influenced and continues to shape modern horology as only a few watchmakers can. From its origins in 1881, when Kintaro Hattori opened a small shop in Tokyo, to becoming a global powerhouse in precision timekeeping, Seiko’s history is a register of constant innovation. Over the decades, the brand has delivered some of watchmaking’s most significant milestones, from Japan’s first wristwatch, the 1913 Laurel, to the Quartz Astron of 1969, not to mention a multitude of exciting models across various categories that inspired a loyal fan base. To mark its 145th anniversary, Seiko has unveiled a special four-piece limited-edition collection celebrating its signature lines: King Seiko, Prospex, Presage, and Astron. Each model features gold-coloured elements and accents inspired by the engraved motifs of Hattori’s early pocket watches.

Seiko Presage Craftsmanship Series Enamel Dial 145th Anniversary SPB538

Of all the watches in this Seiko’s 145th Anniversary lineup, the Presage SPB538 most directly captures the brand’s early spirit of craftsmanship. Inspired by Seiko’s 1895 Timekeeper pocket watch and the 1913 Laurel, Japan’s first wristwatch, this model is an ode to the brand’s beginnings. The watch retains the antique charm of the Presage “Craftsmanship Series” seen in earlier enamel dial models such as the SPB441 (the Kintaro Hattori tribute) and SPB449 (the Porter Classic collaboration). Yet, it introduces a subtle evolution: for the first time in this design line, the seconds are displayed centrally, rather than on a sub-dial.

The white enamel dial, crafted by master artisan Mitsuru Yokosawa and his team, glows with the soft warmth and depth that only fired enamel can achieve, providing the perfect backdrop for black Roman numerals and gold-coloured leaf-shaped hands. The applied Seiko logo, also rendered in gold, is a fine celebratory note that aligns with the anniversary theme.

The 35mm gold-coloured stainless steel case, with its movable lugs and onion-style crown, directly recalls early 20th-century wristwatches converted from pocket watches, a design cue lifted straight from the Laurel. Though compact, the 12.3mm thickness gives it a reassuring presence. A slim, decorated bezel and a box-shaped sapphire crystal add period authenticity while maintaining clarity and durability. The automatic calibre 6R51 offers modern reliability, with a 72-hour power reserve and a frequency of 21,600 vibrations/hour. The pull-through brown leather strap is made from leather sourced from Leather Working Group-certified tanneries.

Quick Facts – 35mm diameter x 12.3mm thickness – stainless steel case, gilded – box-shaped sapphire crystal with inner AR coating – solid screw caseback – white enamel dial – black Roman numerals – gold-coloured leaf-shaped hands and applied Seiko logo – onion crown at 3 o’clock – central hours, minutes, and seconds – calibre 6R51, in-house automatic, 21,600vph, 72h power reserve, 24 jewels – 50m water-resistance – magnetic resistance 4,800 A/m – brown leather strap from LWG-certified tanneries with pin buckle – limited to 1,450 pieces – Ref. SPB538 – EUR 2,000

King Seiko KS1969 145th Anniversary Limited Edition SJE121

The King Seiko SJE121 draws on a historical engraving motif used by Kintaro Hattori and features a grey gradient dial that darkens toward the edges. The textured surface celebrates Seiko’s earliest decorative artistry and provides a nice contrast to the gold-toned indices and hands.

The 39.4mm stainless steel case (modern KS1969 series design), topped by a box-shaped sapphire crystal, features brushed and mirror-polished facets for a sharp look, softened by the comfortable, supple multi-link bracelet. The watch is powered by calibre 6L35, a thin, high-grade automatic movement that operates at 28,800 vibrations/hour and offers a 45-hour power reserve.

Quick Facts – 39.4mm diameter x 9.9mm thickness – stainless steel case, brushed & mirror-polished – box-shaped sapphire crystal with inner AR coating – solid screw caseback – grey gradient dial with engraved motif inspired by early Seiko timepieces – gold-toned applied indices, hands, and logo – stainless steel multi-row bracelet with brushed and polished finishing, folding clasp – valibre 6L35, in-house automatic, 28,800vph, 45h power reserve, 26 jewels – 50m water-resistance – magnetic resistance 4,800 A/m – limited to 800 pieces – Ref. SJE121 – EUR 3,200

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph 145th Anniversary SRQ059

Seiko’s chronograph lineage began with Japan’s first wrist chronograph in 1964 and culminated in the groundbreaking Speedtimer of 1969, one of the first automatic chronographs with a column wheel and vertical clutch. The new Prospex SRQ059, based on existing chronographs such as the SRQ047 and SRQ049, reimagines that legacy with a cool white dial, also patterned after the engravings of Kintaro Hattori’s earliest pocket watches.

Its gold-coloured hands, indices, and Seiko logo add warmth and a touch of luxury to the crisp, legible dial. The 42mm stainless steel case houses the calibre 8R48, Seiko’s premium in-house automatic chronograph movement with a vertical clutch for smooth operation. It is equipped with MEMS-engineered components for precision.

Quick Facts – 42mm diameter x 14.6mm thickness – stainless steel case and bracelet with super-hard coating, brushed and polished – dual-curved sapphire crystal with inner AR coating – screw-down caseback – white engraved-pattern dial with gold-coloured hands, markers, and logo – tri-compax display: 30-minute counter at 9, 12-hour counter at 6, small seconds at 3 – date window between 4 and 5 o’clock – valibre 8R48, in-house automatic chronograph, column wheel and vertical clutch, 34 jewels, 28,800vph, 45h power reserve – 100m water-resistance – magnetic resistance 4,800 A/m – three-fold clasp with push-button release – limited to 700 pieces – Ref. SRQ059 – EUR 2,700

Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph 145th Anniversary SSH186

Rounding out the anniversary lineup, the Astron SSH186 is the direct descendant of the 1969 Quartz Astron, a model that fuses advanced technology with commemorative design. The titanium case and bracelet are finished in black super-hard coating, with golden accents across the hands, indices, and bezel. The sapphire crystal bezel insert features gold UTC markings at 1, 4, and 5, a subtle nod to “145”. The watch is powered by the calibre 5X83, a GPS Solar movement that automatically adjusts to the correct time zone anywhere in the world.

Quick Facts – 44.1mm diameter x 14.4mm thickness – titanium case and bracelet with black super-hard coating – sapphire crystal bezel insert with gold UTC markings – dual-curved sapphire crystal with super-clear coating – black dial with golden hands, indices, and subdials – calibre 5X83, in-house GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph, ±15s/month (without GPS signal), perpetual calendar to 2100, 1/20s chronograph, AM/PM dual-time display, automatic DST adjustment, power save function – 100m water-resistance – magnetic resistance 4,800 A/m – titanium bracelet with three-fold push-button clasp – limited to 1,450 pieces – Ref. SSH186 – EUR 3,400

For more details, please visit seikowatches.com.