Watch novelties are popping up all over the place, like horological blossoms, which makes the Seiko 2023 novelties the equal of cherry blossoms. The Japanese watchmaker divided its publicity into two components, one focussing on the sporty instrument watch, and the opposite on artisanal craftsmanship, which is what the 4 new Seiko Presage novelties are. To start with, we wish to dive into this second space, which for the second consists of the next 4 watches, all restricted editions honouring the one hundred and tenth anniversary of Seiko: fired enamel the SPB393 (with fired enamel dial); the SPB395 (with conventional Urushi lacquer dial); the SPB397 (with Arita porcelain dial), and the SPB399 (with Shippo enamel).
To the informal observer, it might appear that the fashions listed here are all in regards to the motion on the dial, and that’s not unfaithful. Nonetheless, the Presage collection has lengthy featured extraordinary dials, and so the story right here essentially begins with one thing actually new: the case. Seiko says that the brand new case profile is each slimmer and offers the dials room to dominate. The impact can also be meant to make the dial really feel nearer, like you may contact the palms, for instance. We must take the model at face worth right here as now we have not but organized for our appointment to see the actual watches. This must wait until after Watches and Wonders Geneva…
However to provide as a lot sense of this as we will, listed here are the specs of the 4 new watches, every of which is in metal. SPB393 and SPB395 are 40.2mm in diameter, and 12.8mm thick, whereas SPB397 and SPB399 are 40.6mm in diameter and 14.1mm thick. The variations listed here are probably right down to the totally different actions used, with the previous two being powered by the automated calibre 6R24, and the latter two, the automated calibre 6R27. Lovers could be aware of the weird date show related to calibre 6R27 (a subdial that appears superficially like a 30-second counter). Calibre 6R24 gives a retrograde date in the identical place, at 6 o’clock. Each calibres have a claimed energy reserve of 45 hours, and show this info at 9 o’clock on the dial (once more in several types).
With the Seiko Presage household of watches, general, you get among the best value to worth ratios in all of watchmaking, from a trusted model title. Now that may sound like an promoting pitch, however a easy scan of the details reveals that it’s true. Fashions with enamel dials, like SPB393 can be found for under US$2,000, which is fairly exceptional contemplating value factors at even Grand Seiko, which could be an order of magnitude greater.
Watch lovers have identified in regards to the virtues of the Seiko Presage assortment for a while, which is why my very own makes an attempt to purchase one not too long ago failed — it was now not in inventory. In truth, this drawback comes up extra steadily than you would possibly suppose, as a result of at any time when we cowl Presage fashions in WOW, now we have to think about in the event that they could be bought out by the point folks get their palms on the journal. Even on-line, on LUXUO, we add this message upfront as a result of the brand new Presage fashions listed here are restricted editions, as talked about earlier. SPB393, SPB395 and SPB397 are restricted to 1,500 items whereas SPB399 is proscribed to only 800 items.
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