Knowledge Center — seiko presage

A 3-hand mechanical watchwith calendar that pays homage to the design of the Crown Chronograph from 1964  The Crown Chronograph, Japan’s first wristwatch with a stopwatch function, was developed in 1964 for the first international sports event held in Japan.Presage, which has inherited Seiko’s watchmaking tradition, will release a limited-edition model that pays homage to the design of the Crown Chronograph.In acknowledgment of the year of the Crown Chronograph’s release, 1964, the number of watches will be limited to 1964 units.   The Crown Chronograph - Japan’s first wristwatch witha stopwatch function.   Seiko was in charge of making the...

A multi-stageproduction process 01Molding To produce the dials involves a challenging combination of skill, patience and artistry. First, the base material is put into a special mold which gives dials depth, especially in the version where the power reserve indictor is recessed into the dial with a deep cut.The dials are dried and then fired for the first time at 1,300 degrees to harden and whiten the material. 02Glazed/Fired Hashiguchi and his craftsmen then apply the glaze by hand, after which the dials are fired again, this time cementing the glaze on to the dial, a process which gives the...

Japanese Enamel For almost half a century, Mitsuru Yokosawa has been expanding the boundaries of enamel, mastering time-honored techniques and gradually creating new ones. As his experience broadened, the layers of enamel he was able to apply became thinner and thinner. Yokosawa-san is now able to apply a flawless enamel coat just 0.1 mm thin. Such precision requires not only exceptional visual acuity, but also the seemingly magical ability to make minute adjustments to the enamel composition based on fluctuations in humidity and weather conditions. Aptly, it would take the skills of a magician to create the face of the...

The Lacquer so Strong, It Protected the Samurai Japanese lacquer is an expression of craftsmanship that can be traced back thousands of years to the Jomon period. One of the most popular forms is Urushi, which is celebrated for its great strength and natural beauty. Many are familiar with elegantly lacquered black and red tableware, but Urushi is so strong it was used during the Sengoku era to coat the armor worn by samurai – and can even serve as a binding agent. Made from the sap of the Japanese lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum), Urushi dries not by evaporation, but...

Seiko The Black Hearted The SSA359 screams black tie and white tie.  This watch was made for a high Some say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but with this watch has a window to it's heart.  The SSA359 is a wonder of  mechanical watchmaking and affordability.  This black and stainless watch features a mechanical 4R movement with a window in the face so you can see the heart bead of the watch.  You see gears moving, jumping up and down beating just like a heartbeat. Presage Style The Seiko Presage SSA359 is quite a looker, a simple...