100 years ago, in 1924, despite the fact that the year before the Kanto earthquake had severely damaged the factory, the Japanese company presented the first watch bearing the brand name Seiko on the dial. Founded in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori, in fact, Seiko was known until then as Seikosha (preceded, until 1892, by the name of the shop that Hattori himself had opened in Tokyo, namely 'K. Hattori').
To celebrate this important anniversary, Seiko has unveiled a new model in the Presage collection, paying homage to the 1924 timepiece. This new watch recalls its illustrious predecessor in several details, starting with the graphic design of the Seiko logo at 12 o'clock, continuing with the font of the Arabic numerals and the design of the blued hands. Moreover, the white dial itself (protected by a box-type anti-reflective sapphire crystal) is enamelled as in the original model, the enamelling being the work of master craftsman Mitsuru Yokosawa and his colleagues, who specialise in the production of enamels.
Also noteworthy is the 'S' logo that appears both on the oversized crown and on the case back, registered by Hattori in 1900. On the same caseback, we also find engraved the progressive numbering for the limited edition (amounting to 1,000 pieces), the name of Seiko's founder and the quote that so well expressed his philosophy of life, namely "One step ahead of the rest".
The 35 mm by 12.3 mm steel case is characterised by the presence of mobile lugs, as well as by the leather strap with under-case loop. Speaking of the strap, also worth noting is the adoption of a buckle on the upper side, in order to better adapt it to the mobile lugs once the watch is fastened to the wrist. In addition, the strap is made of leather produced by a tannery certified by the Leather Working Group, a non-profit organisation concerned with sustainable and responsible leather production.
The Presage Kintaro Hattori is powered by the Seiko calibre 6R5H (21,600 vibrations per hour, 24 jewels, 72-hour power reserve), mechanical with automatic winding. Water resistance is guaranteed up to a pressure of 5 atmospheres. Finally, a special brooch with the same historical "S" logo that appears on the crown and back is included in the package.
Price2,000 euro.
