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Considering Seiko’s price hike over the past five years, it’s becoming difficult to talk about it as a bargain. Instead, Seiko has maintained its value for money claim by improving the movements, especially the dials. The brand’s Grand Seiko label has long been famous for its beautiful dials, but in recent years there seems to have been something of a trickle-down effect going on, with Seiko-branded watches featuring increasingly complex and attractive dials. texture is used. The Presage line includes many of the Seiko label’s luxury watches (King Seiko and above that, Grand Seiko), and the new Presage Classic series takes it into yet another class that can be worn every day. Introducing the prototype. silk fabric.
case
Versatility is one of the most underrated aspects when considering value, as it allows you to wear your watch more often. Since many people don’t feel comfortable wearing a pure dress watch every day, the Presage Classic takes a more comprehensive approach. The way the lugs slope toward the case is refined, with no harsh edges that might distract or make the viewer uncomfortable. The brushed finish on the surface cancels out the dressy look, and the polished finish on the bezel and case sides gives it a sophisticated impression.
For these Presages, with a diameter of 40.2mm and a lug-to-lug length of 46mm, Seiko has ensured that they will fit comfortably on a variety of wrists. Because the bezel is thin, the opening of the dial is quite large, which makes the watch’s presence bigger than the numbers. Its unisex appeal is obvious, and it’s water resistant to 100 meters, so you can even go for a swim. Although it doesn’t look like a sporty watch, it actually has more features than you might think. The total thickness is 13mm, but the back cover fits under the side of the case, making the profile look slender.
Seiko recently added a two-tone model to its Presage Classic series. This model has a PVD gold lip wrapped around the bezel, highlighting the gold indexes and hands. It’s a very subtle addition, with that pop of gold subtly framing the dial, almost like a wedding ring.
dial
Seiko has always been ahead of the curve with textured dials, and the Cocktail Time collection, which debuted under the Presage brand, cemented Seiko’s tradition as dial experimenters. However, the Presage Classic series combines elements of vintage watchmaking with a modern approach to texture. The effect is subtle at first, but once you notice the dial’s convex curvature, you begin to appreciate its depth and elegance. The depth of the date window bezel also indicates the thickness of the dial itself. Like the alpha hands, the applied baton indexes are not faceted, so the polished surface reflects more light and is easier to read.
A trend that seems a bit inevitable is applying elaborate stories to watch designs to validate what is already an aesthetically appealing design. Seiko does this regularly, tying many of its new releases to parts of Japanese culture and nature. The Seiko Presage Classic series claims to be inspired by traditional Japanese silk fabrics, but as someone who loves making clothes with silk, I feel like that connection is missing a bit. Masu. Silk can be woven into all kinds of fabrics and dyed in all kinds of colors, but these dials don’t have many details associated with specific Japanese textiles. Anyway, the texture is beautiful, and the warm colors give it a calm yet expressive finish. Even without the storytelling, they stand on their own as beautiful things.
strap
Paired with the Seiko Presage Classic series is a stainless steel 7-link bracelet that is slightly similar to the Jubilee, but less flashy. Again, the goal seems to be a watch that will work in almost any environment while still maintaining a basic level of respectability. The lug width is 20mm, so you can easily swap it out for a leather strap when you want to dress it up, or other options when you want to dress it down.
movement
Caliber 6R55 occupies the mid-range of Seiko’s catalog and has better specifications than the lower-priced 4R movements. For example, the power reserve has been extended to 72 hours, and the beat rate remains at 3Hz for worry-free use over the weekend. The accuracy rating is said to be within -15/+25 seconds per day, but Seiko movements can easily be adjusted to improve accuracy by asking the watch manufacturer. Decoration is kept to a minimum, with a gold-coloured winding rotor visible through the display case back.
judgment
There’s no shortage of smart-casual watches out there, but the Seiko Presage Classic series hits a certain nail that other watches don’t. The attention to detail is excellent, with no elements feeling like afterthoughts. It’s worth noting that these also come with open-heart dials, but these lack the silk texture of the Time Only models, which truly captures the spirit of modern Seiko. Yes, retail prices start at US$950, which reflects Seiko’s recent price increase trend, but finding one sold through boutiques and authorized dealers may be less difficult for savvy shoppers. Not.
Seiko Presage Classic Series price and availability
Introducing the Seiko Presage Classic series. Price: $950 (limited time), $1,125 (open heart)
Brand Seiko Model Presage Classic Series Reference Number SPB463 (Cream)
SPB465 (black)
SPB467 (salmon)
SPB469 (Cream Open Heart)
SPB471 (Black Open Heart)
SPB471 (cream, two-tone)
SPB480 (Cream open heart, two-tone) Case dimensions 40.2mm (D) x 13mm (T) x 46mm (LTL) Case material Stainless steel Water resistance 100 meters, screw-down crown Crystal Sapphire dial Grained silk textured strap 7 links Stainless steel Bracelet, butterfly clasp Movement 6R55, manufactured in-house, automatic power reserve 72 hours Features Hours, minutes, seconds, date Availability Currently available Price $950 (hours only)
U$1,125 (open heart)
