Seiko Presage Craftmanship Urushi Lacquering "Kanazawa" automatic green dial leather strap 40,6 mm

Presage Craftmanship Collection: Journey to Kanazawa

The Presage Craftmanship collection showcases two of Seiko's signature strengths: respect for traditional Japanese craftsmanship and its longstanding expertise in mechanical watchmaking. Join us on a journey to Kanazawa - the historic center of Japanese lacquerware known as Urushi - to explore the land, culture and craft tradition behind this one-of-a-kind timepiece.

Elegant design

This 2000-piece limited edition watch adopts a case shape with refined angles and an elegant sense of proportion. The case structure is designed to highlight the handcrafted dial while offering the watch a slimmer look on the wrist. Combining polished and brushed surfaces, the steel case features faceted lugs, adding a subtle touch of refinement. The case measures 40.5 mm in diameter and is 12.8 mm thick. Finally, the case is clothed in a grained calf leather strap with triple folding buckle.

A dial: "Urushi lacquer"

Here's the most important and striking element on this Seiko Presage! Its Urushi lacquer dial! Its intense green evokes the verdant moss that adorns the Kanazawa landscape in summer, and the watch's gold hands capture the sunlight falling through the trees. Why this shade of green? Because it's in Kanazawa that Urushi master Isshu Tamura and his team employ techniques to make some of the most recognized Urushi lacquers in all of Japan. And in this city lies one of the centerpieces of the urban landscape: the Kenroku-en garden, reputed to be one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in the country. The garden that inspired this dial hue!

In terms of craftsmanship, Urushi lacquer is a centuries-old decorative art that's practically synonymous with Japanese craftsmanship. Generally used on refined objects such as tableware or furniture, Urushi lacquer comes to life on this dial thanks to an innovative method employed to achieve a smooth surface. Urushi is also one of Japan's most popular lacquers, famous for its great strength and natural beauty. We're all familiar with the red and black tableware that inevitably connotes Japan, but what you may not know is that Urushi lacquer is so strong that it was used during the Sengoku era to strengthen the armor worn by samurai, as well as being an excellent binder. Made from the sap of the Japanese varnish tree (also known as Toxicodendron vernicifluum), Urushi does not dry by evaporation, but by absorbing moisture from the air. Applying Urushi is an extremely complicated process involving many steps, all of which must be carried out by hand.

In terms of craftsmanship, Urushi lacquer is a centuries-old decorative art that is virtually synonymous with Japanese craftsmanship. Generally used on refined objects such as tableware or furniture, Urushi lacquer comes to life on this dial thanks to an innovative method employed to achieve a smooth surface. Urushi is also one of Japan's most popular lacquers, famous for its great strength and natural beauty. We're all familiar with the red and black tableware that inevitably connotes Japan, but what you may not know is that Urushi lacquer is so strong that it was used during the Sengoku era to strengthen the armor worn by samurai, as well as being an excellent binder. Made from the sap of the Japanese varnish tree (also known as Toxicodendron vernicifluum), Urushi does not dry by evaporation, but by absorbing moisture from the air. Applying Urushi is an extremely complicated process involving many steps, all of which must be carried out by hand.

A caliber with double retrograde complication

This limited edition is powered by Seiko's 6R24 caliber, a movement only available for the Japanese brand's highest-end watches. Its display is original, thanks to a double retrograde complication! At 3 o'clock, a hand displays the day, and at 6 o'clock, a hand indicates the date. Finally, at 9 o'clock is the power reserve indicator. This movement beats at 28,800 vibrations/hour and offers 45 hours of power reserve.

In brief:

• A superb "Urushi" lacquer dial handcrafted by a Japanese artisan
• A limited edition of 2,000 copies worldwide
• An automatic caliber with double retrograde complication