Seiko continues to celebrate its long watchmaking tradition with a new King Seiko series, inspired by classic designs that have shaped the brand’s history. This new line pays homage to an iconic 1969 model, reinterpreting its unique style with a contemporary twist and celebrating 2024 as the centennial year of Seiko’s first wristwatch.

Let us now go inside this article to find out all the details of the new collection dedicated to the Japanese maison.

A tribute to the design of the 1969 King Seiko

The 1969 King Seiko 45KCM is the main source of inspiration for this new series. Its curved profile and refined silhouette not only left their mark on the watch scene of the 1960s, but also influenced many of the later creations in the King Seiko collection. This new line takes those distinctive elements and combines them with modern technologies and details that enhance its elegance.

Among the highlights of the new collection is the 39.4 mm diameter, tapered or commonly called“Tonneau” case, which fits snugly on the wrist thanks to a low center of gravity and a newly designed bracelet, but one inspired by the glory years of the first series.

The latter is made with a multi-mesh construction, brushed finish, and mirror-polished elements that can capture and reflect light in a sophisticated way. The choice of a compact design for the links is not only aesthetic, but also ensures optimal comfort for the wearer of these timepieces.

King Seiko’s four dials that tell the story of Japan

The new series is also distinguished by its four dial variants, each with a deep connection to Japanese culture and landscape.

Silver (ref. SJE109J1), featuring a texture reminiscent of the modern urban landscape of Tokyo, the city where the King Seiko collection was launched in 1961.

Edo purple (ref. SJE111J1), inspired by the traditional Japanese color, prized during the Edo period for its nobility and refinement that lends a touch of uniqueness and sophistication.

Shaded green (ref. SJE113J1), with a color gradation that evokes the vegetation of Tokyo, a symbol of continuity and harmony with nature.

Finally, the blue-green, displays a pattern evoking the scaled skin of the rising dragon, a Japanese symbol of prosperity.This reference, the SJE115J1, is limited to 700 pieces worldwide. Recall that the rising dragon is the Japanese zodiac sign of 2024, which makes this timepiece even more special than the other references in the King Seiko line.

King Seiko’s 6L35 caliber: subtlety and precision

Beneath the dial of the new King Seiko watches beats the caliber 6L35, a slim and reliable automatic movement that allows the watches in the new King Seiko series to maintain a slim thickness of only 9.9 mm.

This detail makes them particularly suitable for both everyday use and formal occasions, reflecting Seiko’s commitment to combining technical innovation and aesthetic refinement.

How the King Seiko line was born

The story of the King Seiko represents a celebration of Japanese watchmaking excellence, deeply rooted in the pursuit of precision, sophisticated design, and high-level craftsmanship. Born in the 1960s, the King Seiko was conceived as a premium line to compete not only within the Japanese market, but also with the big names in Swiss watchmaking.

In 1961, Seiko decided to strengthen its position in haute horology by launching two separate lines, Grand Seiko, developed by the Suwa Seikosha division, and King Seiko, produced by the Daini Seikosha division. The internal competition between these two divisions represented a strategy aimed at pushing both teams toward continuous improvement, leading to a rivalry that defined King Seiko’s identity.

King Seiko was distinguished by its meticulous attention to precision and sturdiness. Early models, such as the King Seiko 44KS, introduced in 1961, were equipped with high-quality mechanical movements and characterized by elegant and proportionate designs, often with square lines and fine details. Over the years, increasingly sophisticated movements were adopted, such as the cal. 56KS and cal. 52KS, which offered competitive levels of accuracy.

Aesthetically, the King Seiko watches were distinguished by their purity of form, anticipating the stylistic approach that Seiko later perfected in later years. The cases featured polished finishes, sharp facets, and an 18k gold medallion on the case back, while the dials were often simple, with geometric and legible hour markers and hands.

In the 1960s, King Seiko participated in precision competitions in Switzerland, earning accolades for its mechanical movements and proving that Japanese watchmaking could hold its own against Swiss watchmaking. This quest for performance and precision was at the heart of King Seiko’s identity.

In 2021, Seiko relaunched the King Seiko KSK collection, reinterpreting the iconic design of the 1965 model with an angled case, “dauphine” spheres, and modern finishes, while retaining the classic elegance and precision that made the King Seiko name legendary.

Conclusions

Today, King Seiko represents a connection between past and present, a tribute to the brand’s mechanical roots and a proposition for watch lovers who appreciate timeless design and quality craftsmanship.

With this re-release, Seiko has ensured that King Seiko continues to represent the brand’s tradition and evolution, combining historical authenticity and contemporary innovation. The new series is distributed in Italy exclusively at Seiko Boutique, priced at EUR 3,200.

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