Now I would not claim to be the hippest cat out there. Tik Tok and its allure is still elusive to me. I depend on Instagram and like, everyone else born before the 80s, Facebook for a sense of what might might be cooking in the watch world's collective subconscious. And I've noticed a rather curious trend. Grand Seiko is still a very much the darling of the media arm of Watch Town, and fair enough. But what I've seen bubbling up lately is... well you can't really call it a cult as that would require membership, organization (and occasionally a saffron robe and bargain Nikes). No, this is very much a watch sub culture that exists in an organic state, feeding off passion, not hyperbole.
Now having said that, there is one non-Grand Seiko that is a bit more upmarket. At an MSRP of $3,300 it is decidedly a bit more aspirational than the Seiko 5 Sports or the Presage. And proof positive that the right design and concept will capture hearts and minds regardless of what Seiko clique you identify with.
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Courtesy of Seiko |
This is the King Seiko SJE083. And as mentioned, it has caught the eye of both my well-heeled colleagues in the Fourth and Fifth Estate, as well as the guys and gals who passionately collect the Grand Seiko's more affordable cousins. |
Courtesy of Seiko |
This is one is limited to 3,000 pieces.
And here are the pertinents -
MOVEMENT
Caliber Number
6L35
Automatic with manual winding capacity
Accuracy
+15 to -10 seconds per day
Power Reserve
Approx. 45 hours26 jewels
Date display
Stop seconds hand function
CASE
Stainless steel (super hard coating)
Screw Down Case
Thickness:
11.4 ㎜
Diameter:
38.1 ㎜
Length:
44.7 ㎜
Water Resistance:
5 bar
Crystal:
Box shaped sapphire crystal
Crystal Coating
Anti-reflective coating on inner surface
STRAP:
Crocodile leather