Seiko Celebrates 100 Years with Four Iconic Watches in New Legacy Collection

Seiko has a knack for celebrating anniversaries, and the brand has delivered on them with some pretty special watches in recent years. This year, 2024, is the 100th anniversary of the Seiko brand, and we’ve seen a handful of special releases throughout the year to mark the occasion, but this week we’re getting a first look at a collection of watches that represent cornerstones of each of Seiko’s four global brands — Prospex, Presage, King Seiko, and Astron — in a single package of four unique watches. Together, they tell a story of Seiko’s illustrious history through modern reconstructions.

The first Seiko wristwatch from 1924

The Seiko brand story actually begins in the late 19th century, with Kintaro Hattori operating a watch-and-clock repair shop in Tokyo. As the wristwatch began to take hold, Hattori vowed to create Japan’s first domestically produced example, and in 1919, he did just that with a watch called the “Laurel.” Ten years after its debut, the great Kanto earthquake destroyed Hattori’s factories, and he was forced to begin anew, which he did in 1924 and created a new watch bearing the name Seiko.

Seiko Presage Seiko Brand 100th Anniversary Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition

It is this first Seiko wristwatch that has been re-created in the Presage Seiko Brand 100th Anniversary Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition. This modern rendition of the iconic first Seiko captures the look and feel of the original beautifully, with a white ceramic dial set with stylized numerals representing the hours. The small 24-hour subdial remains at the bottom of the dial with a railroad style index track. Each of the 1,000 pieces planned for production receive individual serial numbers engraved on the caseback. This is an exceptionally charming love letter to Seiko’s origins, and Kintaro Hattori himself, and serves as a fitting lead into this collection of four watches. 

Seiko Prospex 1965 Diver’s Recreation Limited Edition SJE093

Next, we find the Prospex 1965 Diver’s Recreation Limited Edition, Reference SJE093 dive watch. This piece captures the look and feel of Seiko’s first dive watch, released in 1965 and setting the template for what would become one of the most influential diver lineages to come out of the era. The SJE093 is the ultimate sleeper watch, shining in the small details, from the trim 38mm case and Seiko Caliber 6L37 inside. Just 1,965 examples of this reference will be produced, and its inclusion here bears the weight of 60 years worth of dive watch greatness, arguably setting the foundation for the Seiko of today. 

Seiko 140th Anniversary King Seiko Limited Edition SJE083

Also released in 1965 was a milestone King Seiko edition, bringing a striking, geometric design to the formal watch genre. That original watch has been reimagined as the 140th Anniversary King Seiko Limited Edition, SJE083, which is the third member of this quartet. The SJE083 keeps the same bold case that appears to have been neatly folded together by hand, set with a white dial and box crystal. This might be formal wear, but it’s not shy about making a statement. 

Seiko Brand 100th Anniversary Astron GPS Solar Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition

Finally, we have the most modern advent of the bunch, a 100th Anniversary Astron GPS Solar Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition. The Astron name first appeared in 1969 on Seiko’s first quartz watch, which established the brand as an innovator in quartz-powered movement technology. The name was revived in 2012 on the world’s first GPS Solar watch. This limited-edition example uses the 5X83 caliber, using high-speed GPS dual-time and time-zone adjustment. This is a technological powerhouse from Seiko, and as it charges with light, will require neither winding or battery changes.

This Legacy Collection of four watches will come in a box that also serves as a winder, and the set will be limited to a mere 15 units produced. Each of the watches within can be found individually, however, making the set more of a special nod to Seiko collectors and enthusiasts. The set will be priced from $17,500, and will feature an individual certificate with serial number, signed by Mr. Shinji Hattori, Director, Chairman of the Board of Seiko, and a special Prospex pen dedicated to this Limited Edition set.