SEIKO continues to weave traditional craftsmanship into its watch creations. The new addition to the Presage Classic series, the SPB497, features a dial made of unglazed Arita porcelain, offering a matte white sheen and a three-dimensional textural effect. Unlike traditional glazed ceramics, this unglazed treatment enhances the clarity of each dial pattern, presenting soft light refractions in layers. The gold markings and hands create a striking contrast against the white dial, highlighting the elegance in every detail.
The dial is adorned with diamond patterns symbolizing health and prosperity, merging 400 years of Kutani porcelain artistry from Japan. Supervised by Hiroyuki Hashiguchi, crafted by Toshiaki Kawaguchi’s team at the Arita Town workshop, operating since 1830. This piece uses a special formula to enhance the ceramic’s hardness to more than four times that of traditional porcelain, showcasing intricate textural layers through meticulous casting techniques, making it a rare ceramic masterpiece for watch collectors.
In terms of the movement, the SPB497 features SEIKO’s latest 6R51 automatic winding movement, operating at a frequency of 21,600 beats per hour. It boasts an impressive power reserve of up to 72 hours and includes 24 jewels to ensure smooth operation. The watch is equipped with a sapphire crystal transparent case back, allowing you to admire the mechanical rhythm of the golden rotor in action.
The watch features a diameter of 40.6mm and a thickness of 12.5mm, offering a water resistance of 10 bar and a magnetic resistance of 4,800 A/m, making it perfect for everyday wear. It comes with a black leather strap sourced from a Leather Working Group certified tannery, ensuring quality and sustainability. The three-fold push-button clasp keeps it securely in place, complementing the matte dial with a subtle yet sophisticated touch.
SEIKO has launched this watch, embodying the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and cultural heritage while also aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9 Encouraging Innovation and Sustainable Industrialization. Through the use of Arita porcelain techniques, it seamlessly blends traditional artistry with contemporary timepiece collections for the future.
This globally limited edition Presage SPB497, with only 1,200 pieces available, will officially launch in July at SEIKO boutiques and selected retailers. The suggested retail price in Hong Kong is approximately HKD 13,800, making it the latest choice for collectors of Arita porcelain craftsmanship and mechanical aesthetics.
