Jewellery & Watch News
Seiko revives their iconic King Seiko watch collection with five new designs, each part of a permanent line-up and just as accessible, accurate and beautiful as the original 1960’s line.
During the 1960’s, Japanese watch manufacturer Seiko set out to create two sub-collections in direct competition with the other to see who could produce the most accurate watch. With Grand Seiko placed at the Suwa Seikosha factory in Nagano and King Seiko at the Daini Seikosha factory in Tokyo, the pair fought it out to take name of Seiko’s permanent premium watch collection. Despite the outstanding success of both names, Seiko chose Grand Seiko to be the flag bearer of their luxury manufacture and as such, the King Seiko name was lost to their archives. That was until last year, when Seiko launched the highly unexpected King Seiko SJE083 watch as part of its 140th anniversary celebrations. The design also celebrated 60 years since the first King Seiko watch was launched, and in doing so revived the aesthetics of an important reference from 1965. The limited edition of 3,000 pieces has seen huge popularity and marked the beginning of a whole new generation of King Seiko watches.
The Case
Like the 140th anniversary edition launched last year, the new permanent collection of King Seiko watches take reference from a 1965 model, otherwise known as the King Seiko 44-9990. Of course, there are several improvements included for the modern wrist, but its overall execution feels distinctly retro in style. There are five King Seiko watches to choose from, each differing in their dial but matching in their case. They are engineered from stainless steel with the same sharp angles, brushed and polishing finishings and faceted lugs as their predecessor with a diameter of 37mm and height of 12.1mm. We’re also treated to box-shaped sapphire crystal glass, a screw in crown and case back and a 100 metre water resistant rating. The case back is handsomely engraved with the King Seiko emblem.
The Dial
The dial of the new King Seiko watch comes in a choice of five colours. The first is reference SPB279 which opts for a silver sunray brushed dial just like that of the 1965 model. Similarly, reference SBP28 chooses for a light centrepiece, this time in grey. Model SPB283 goes darker with a charcoal dial while SPB283 elects a rich chocolate brown centre. Lastly, reference SPB287 boasts a deep burgundy red dial. Each display revives the textured hour marker at 12 o’clock as seen on the original King Seiko watches of the 1960’s alongside Zaratsu-polished and faceted hands for the hours and minutes and a needle thin seconds hand.
The Movement
Since the original King Seiko was conceived to become the world’s most accurate timepiece, we expected the movement within to offer some of Seiko’s best technologies. Sadly, that’s not quite the case with a still impressive but not quite “Grand Seiko impressive” accuracy of +15/-25 seconds per day. The movement responsible for powering the hours, minutes and seconds function is the Calibre 6R31 automatic winding movement, an in-house calibre with 24 jewels, a frequency of 21,600vph and a power reserve of 70 hours.
The Strap
Securing each of the five King Seiko watches to the wrist is a choice of two straps. The first is a classic leather strap in a range of colours closed by a King Seiko embellished stainless steel pin buckle. The second is our personal favourite, a retro fine link bracelet with faceted links and a folding buckle.
If you’d like to learn more about the new King Seiko watch collection and shop the models for yourself, head over to the C W Sellors website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at [email protected].
Specifications:
- Case Size: 37mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Solid with King Seiko logo
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Calibre 6R31 automatic winding, in-house
- Accuracy: +15/-25 seconds per day
- Power Reserve: 70 hours
- Jewels: 24
- Frequency: 21,600vph
- Dial: Silver, light grey, charcoal grey, brown or burgundy red
- Strap: Fine-link steel bracelet with folding clasp or leather strap with pin buckle
- RRP: £1,470
