SpotlightReliving The Days Of Yore: Introducing The Seiko Presage Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition

Brand anniversaries are important milestones to reflect on the past… introspect, and plan for the future. In 2024, Japanese watchmaker Seiko will be celebrating the centenary of their first wristwatch bearing the name ‘Seiko’ on the dial, which was originally introduced in 1924. This gave the world an introduction to not just a brand name but the hallmark of precision that has stuck around for decades now. To mark this occasion, the brand have introduced the Seiko Presage Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition, a watch that continues to innovate, in line with the founder’s philosophy to be ‘Always one step ahead of the rest’.

The new creation is an exact replica of the 1924 original—quite a befitting tribute for an icon. This watch is important because even though the company was founded in 1881, it wasn’t before 1924 that the world was made aware of the ‘Seiko’ identity. Prior to that, it was operational under the name Seikosha since the founder Kintaro Hattori had set up a factory in Tokyo under that name in 1892.

The new timepiece perfectly captures the vintage character of the original watch in every detail. For example, the Seiko letters, positioned at 12 o’clock hark back to the era when this was a distinctive typeface. There’s a 24-hour sub-dial at six o’clock with numerals designed in the same font as the small seconds counter of the original timekeeper. Even the main Arabic numerals pay homage to the original as they incorporate both thick and slender lines to create a bold and dynamic font. Just as with the original timekeeper, the new issue comes in a 35mm stainless-steel case with an enamel dial, created by master craftsman Mitsuru Yokosawa and his colleagues, who specialise in enamel production and have done justice in recreating an icon, without dissolving the watch’s identity. Also, one doesn’t have to worry about the white enamel turning yellow with time since this is created using age-old enamel dial-making techniques, where the striking white appearance will endure for decades.

Just as with the original timekeeper, the new issue comes in a 35mm stainless-steel case with an enamel dial with 'Seiko' , positioned at 12 o’clock

The caseback and crown carry the trademark ‘S’ that Hattori registered in 1900 as a symbol of the Seikosha factory and also the quote that aptly captured his vision for the company

Limited to 1,000 pieces only, the Seiko Presage Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition is driven by the new Calibre 6R5H, replete with 24 jewels, operating at a frequency of 21,600vph to supply a power reserve of at least 72 hours. The caseback and the large crown carry the trademark ‘S’ that Hattori registered in 1900 as a symbol of the Seikosha factory and also the quote that aptly captured his vision for the company. Despite the destruction of his company by the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, he persevered and managed to launch the watch flashing the ‘Seiko’ name, the following year. Water-resistant to 50m, the watch features movable lugs and is presented on a pull-through leather strap, which was common back in the day of its original release.