Seiko HCC004 and HCC007: Two 'Seiko Blue' 145th Anniversary Takes on the Presage Classic

It’s been a whopping 145 years since the Tokyo watch-and-clock retail and repair shop that would become one of the biggest names in watchmaking opened its doors. Given this milestone, Seiko is celebrating its 145th birthday as watchmakers are wont to do: by releasing a series of specialized anniversary editions of some of its staple designs. Most recently, the brand has unveiled two new limited edition spins on its dressy Presage collection into the mix, both paying tribute to the unique “Seiko Blue” hue that the brand established in 1960, albeit in two quite different ways. 

The HCC004 is the smaller model of the two at 36mm (41.4mm lug-to-lug) with a case profile of 12.5mm, making it align much more with the typical sizes of mid-20th-century dress watches. The elongated lugs are vertically brushed with polished bevels, and the bezel also gets another touch of retro charm with its ridge, coin-edge decoration, which has been designed specifically for this model. 

The HCC007 is more in today’s widely accepted Goldilocks sizing, with its 39.6mm diameter (46.8mm lug-to-lug), and has a total case height of 12.8mm. The finishing on the lugs is similar, but this model instead opts for a smooth, polished bezel, making it feel a little more laid back and relaxed in comparison. Across both models, the dress watch design codes are carried to the strap pairing, which are both in a deep blue, textured cow leather with minimal blue stitching. 

The dial is where both models make their personalities most distinctive. For the HCC004, we’ve got an opaline, silvery white dial that ties in the Seiko Blue color with the dauphine hands and stick hour markers. The radial, etched patterning is detailed to be inspired by raw silk, while the color itself draws inspiration from “shironeri,” which refers to a creamy white that is produced as silk is refined to remove its yellow tones. 

On the other hand, the HCC007 takes the blue to the max, using it as the base color for the Arita porcelain dial. Glazed in the cobalt hue, this dial features a radial pattern at its center, which has been slightly recessed to further enhance the depth of the enamel process. The dauphine hands and stick indices in this case are silver-toned, with the seconds hand featuring the crescent moon motif that the brand often uses on its most premium editions in the Presage collection. 

Both models have opted for the same automatic movement with the 6R51 caliber. Accurate +25/-15 seconds a day, the 6R51 has a weekend-proof power reserve of 72 hours and features manual winding capabilities as well. 

Though these models have both been announced, we’ll have to wait a bit before they’re available for purchase. The silver-dial HCC004 is slated for an official release in June and will be limited to 2,500 pieces worldwide, and is priced at $1,000. The blue enamel HCC007 is priced at $1,700 and will be released in September, limited to 1,500 pieces. 

For more information, visit the brand’s website here.