Seiko introduces the King Seiko collection with four new references – one with a geometric pattern dial in a traditional 37mm case, and three other novelties in 39mm case.

Press Release information with commentary in italics.

The new King Seiko collection

The new King Seiko SPB 365 will have a suggested retail price in EU of EUR 2,000. Limited edition of 1,200 pieces. And the 39mm models – SPB 369, SPB 371 and SPB 373 will retail at EUR 1,950. Prices are with VAT.

Commentary

The origins of King Seiko is an interesting one. Created in the 1960, the original intent was to provide an internal competition to the Grand Seiko. This is a interesting feature of Japanese management and is seen in many corporations. For example, when Toyota set up Lexus, they created two teams compete with other. In addition to overarching corporate goals, each team were separately tasked on more specific targets – one with a performance focus KPI, and the other a luxury focus. This resulted in two lines which existed in the early days. The LS as the lead line focused on luxury, and the GS was the line which kept a close eye at performance as a priority.

This same philosophy was adopted by Seiko. Grand Seiko and King Seiko was pitted at each other to become the company’s flagship. And the Keiretsu corporate structure meant that each team was independent enough to fiercely compete. Both brand names achieve good success. And Grand Seiko has become a major force in the watchmaking industry as Seiko took the name worldwide about 15 years ago. King Seiko was not revived until as recent as 2020, with the release of the King Seiko KSK. Seiko added several other variants to the launch watch, but the KSK was the only member of the King Seiko collection until now. The King Seiko is a new collection with the introduction of the SPB 365 as a limited edition to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Seiko and Japan’s first wristwatch – the Laurel in 1913. And an additional 3 watches to round up the collection.

The SPB 365 is created in 37mm, a rather traditional case size, and features a dial with the Japanese geometric pattern of Kikkoumon. The dial is textured, and looks like a gradient of copper and brown hues over the hexagonal pattern. The Kikkoumon pattern takes design cues from the hexagonal shape found on tortoise shells. It is also a nod to the fact that King Seiko was originally made in the Seiko Kameido facility in Tokyo. Kameido is also known as Tortoise Island.

Three additional watches join the King Seiko lineup. These are in larger, 39mm case size. But the design language and cues are from the same book with angular lines of the original King Seiko.

The movements used in both these new lines are not the same. The SPB 365 uses the Caliber 6R31, while the SPB 269/371/373 will use Caliber 6R65. The 6R31 was introduced in 2021 as a higher performance caliber to the workhorse 6R35. The 6R55 appears to be a new movement with little documentation found.

Interestingly, the pricing model is such that the limited edition SPB 365 has a retail of EUR 2k, while the other 39mm models are at a very similar EUR 1.95k.

Release details

King Seiko salutes its birthplace and celebrates 110 years since Japan’s first wristwatch.

Kintaro Hattori opened a shop in Ginza to sell timepieces in 1881, thus beginning the history of Seiko. His company produced Japan’s first wristwatch in 1913 and has since advanced the art of watchmaking through both technology and craft.

This year, Seiko will celebrate the 110th anniversary of its, and Japan’s, first wristwatch, the Laurel, with the release of a series of commemorative timepieces including a new King Seiko watch that draws inspiration from Seiko’s rich technological and design heritage. It comes a year after the return of the vintage-influenced King Seiko collection, which quickly captivated watch enthusiasts around the world thanks to its sharp lines, elegant wrist presence, and winning heritage design. 

A dial inspired by the Kameido area of Tokyo

At first glance, the gradient dial enchantingly plays with light, but a closer examination reveals a design inspired by a traditional Japanese geometric pattern known as Kikkoumon, which is based on the hexagonal shape of the tortoise shell. In Japanese culture, the tortoise symbolizes longevity and prosperity, and the six-sided chelonian shape is further associated with samurai armor, as an auspicious pattern signifying strength and victory.

Moreover, the Kikkoumon is a nod to the 1960s origins of King Seiko, which was born at a facility in the Kameido section of Tokyo, once known as Kameshima, an area bounded by rivers and streams and known as “Tortoise Island.” The dial pattern has tremendous depth and texture – each hexagon is in fact series of three inset hexagons, each deeper than the last – and this depth is further expressed on the entire dial through a gradual darkening from the center to the edges.

It features the same elegant 37mm case and a seven-link bracelet seen in other King Seiko watches over the past year. The sharpness and angularity are inspired by the classic 1965 King Seiko KSK – the second King Seiko series and the one that defined the collection’s character. 

The patterned dial, in combination with the faceted indexes and razor-edged hands, endows the anniversary King Seiko with a refined and striking presence, and the bold, angular lugs feature both mirror polished and hairline finishing, providing ample visual contrast as well as a sense of precision in manufacturing. It’s a fitting tribute to the place and time that gave rise to a horological classic, but with all the expected attributes of a premium watch made in the modern era. These include a box-shaped sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating and a state-of-the-art automatic movement with 70 hours of power reserve. 

This Kameido-inspired commemorative watch will be available from February 2023 as a limited edition of 1,200 at select Seiko Boutiques and retail partners worldwide. However, the anniversary limited edition isn’t the only news of today. 

King Seiko main offerings now include a new 39mm series.

A year after its successful relaunch, Seiko introduces into the King Seiko collection an entirely new 39mm size for the storied design. Though the dials are larger than those of their 37mm predecessors, subtle refinements to the design and manufacturing maintain the graceful feel of the three new watches. For example, the indexes are bolder and include an additional facet to better reflect light, enhancing legibility. The lugs are wider, but the upper surface now has a hairline finish while the angular sides are polished, enhancing the contrast of the case. Additionally, the top of the bezel now has a hairline finish and the side is mirror polished. Each comes with the same seven-link bracelet seen in 37mm King Seiko watches, so these bracelets are interchangeable between the two watch sizes. 

The new series features three creations in stainless steel with white, dark blue, and green dials. The white dial is graced with a subtle pattern created through a combination of vertical and horizontal hairline finishing techniques, effectively channeling the dials of certain vintage King Seiko watches. The dark blue and green dials have a sunray finish for a rich, luxurious feel that benefits from the new case diameter. 

The 39mm size uses the new Caliber 6R55, which comes with an increased power reserve of three full days (72 hours) as indicated on the six o’clock position of the dial. All three watches join the main King Seiko collection and will be available from March 2023 at select Seiko Boutiques and retail partners worldwide.

Specifications

King Seiko Collection: SPB365

Caliber 6R31
 Frequency: 21,600 vibrations per hour (6 beats per second)
 Power reserve: 70 hours
 Number of jewels: 24

Specifications
 Stainless steel case and bracelet
 Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
 Screw case back
 Diameter: 37.0mm, Thickness: 12.1mm
 Water resistance: 10 bar
 Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
 Additional leather strap included*
 *leather material sourced from LWG certified tanneries.
 Limited edition of 1,200

King Seiko Collection: SPB369, SPB371, SPB373

Caliber 6R55
Frequency: 21,600 vibrations per hour (6 beats per second)
Power reserve: 72 hours (3 days)
Number of jewels: 24
Diameter: 27.4mm. Thickness: 4.95mm

Specifications
Stainless steel case and bracelet
Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Screw case back
Diameter: 39.0mm, Thickness: 11.9mm
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m