Celebrating 110 years

 

This year marks the 110th anniversary of Seiko's first wristwatch.  The history of Seiko began in 1881 when 21 year-old Kintaro Hattori opened a shop in Ginza repairing and selling timepieces. In 1892, he opened a factory called Seikosha to produce his own clocks. Twenty years later, when pocket watches were still the standard, he was experimenting with wristwatches, which were state-of-the-art technology at that time. In 1913 his company successfully produced Japan's first wristwatch and has since created many innovative wristwatches. The limited edition SPB385J was created in honour of the 110th anniversary of Seiko's first wristwatch, the Laurel. The ice-blue dial was inspired by the Arctic conditions that explorers and researchers faced throughout the 1960s and '70s on expeditions to the North and South Poles. Many of these adventurers wore Seiko on their long and cold journeys. Seiko proved its durability and reliability throughout these expeditions and therefore wanted to capture the arctic glaciers in this textured dial.

SPB385J Seiko Prospex Automatic GMT Divers LIMITED EDITION 42mmm case size. Stainless steel case and bracelet plus additional nylon strap. Icy blue dial with date window. Sapphire crystal. GMT hand. Automatic movement - calibre 6R54. Water resistance 200 metres. Only 4,000 pieces worldwide.  Boutique price: $2,800