Seiko Introduce Presage ‘Laurel’ 110th Anniversary Limited Edition Collection

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times, Seiko loves to celebrate an anniversary. Considering that it’s the 110th anniversary of Seiko’s first wristwatch there certainly is cause for celebration but the new Presage ‘Laurel’ 110th Anniversary Limited Edition collection is by my counting at least the fourth set of releases this year dedicated to this occasion.

We’ve already seen the release of a King Seiko model, a Prospex Save the Ocean edition, and the ‘Laurel’ Takumi launched for the anniversary celebrations. Today though we’re focussing on the trio of new Presages.

Seiko Presage ‘Laurel’ Limited Edition 110th Seiko Wristwatchmaking Anniversary SPB401J1

First up we have the SPB401J1 which is the most traditional of the trio in that it has the signature Laurel numerals and a subdial at 6 o’clock inspired by the 1913 original. Obviously there has been some updates in the intervening 110 years, the subdial here is a date complication rather than small seconds and there’s a power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock now.

In terms of style though, it’s very close to the original with its Takumi style enamelling, white dial and red 12 o’clock marker. The colours feel very Japanese, reminiscent of their flag and rising sun iconography.

Structurally, the piece has a round case in stainless steel with a super hard coating that measures 40.2mm in diameter. Housed inside and protected by an exhibition caseback is the Calibre 6R27 with 45-hour power reserve.

Seiko Presage Sharp Edged ‘Laurel’ Limited Edition 110th Seiko Wristwatchmaking Anniversary SPB413J1

Second in the collection is the Sharp Edged ‘Laurel’ limited edition, which is really interesting because with its sleek case, facetted hour markers and hyper intricate dial the Sharp Edged is one of Seiko’s most modern designs. So here we see both ends of the Seiko design spectrum meeting in the middle for a special edition.

Specifically, it takes the classic patterned dial of the Sharp Edged and renders it in white like the Laurel and adds a red indicator at 12 o’clock. This is lowkey the best that the Sharp Edged has ever looked, the white and red is super clean and it emphasises the textured dial in ways that the darker coloured versions don’t.

Like the SPB401J1 above, the SPB413J1 is 40.2mm in diameter although this watch houses the 6R55 instead. It lacks the additional complications of the 6R27 but makes up for that with an extended 72-hour power reserve.

Seiko Presage Style 60s ‘Laurel’ GMT Limited Edition 110th Seiko Wristwatchmaking Anniversary SSK015J1

Last up is the Style 60s ‘Laurel’ GMT edition. Technically this is the second anniversary GMT being launched because alongside the three Presage models there’s a fourth Prospex Alpinist ‘Laurel’ GMT, which you can read about in our article about that collection here. Focussing back in on the SSK015J1 though, it’s without doubt my favourite of the trio.

It has a vertically brushed dial in white and grey with a red arrow marker at 12 o’clock giving a subtle nod to the Laurel colourway while at the same time feeling like a unique colourway of its own. I like the sharp triangle of the hands and the retro vibes of the piece including the 24-hour scale bezel. This feels like a watch that jet-setting businesspeople might wear in the sixties, which is entirely the point.

The case is 40.8mm in diameter made from stainless steel. Powering this model is the 4R34 with 41-hour power reserve. It’s the lowest spec of the three movements used across this collection but I think that’s ok considering that this is also the most accessible.

​Oracle Time 

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