Seiko Presage Style 60's GMT "Laurel" automatic white dial leather strap 40.8 mm

The story

The Seiko story begins in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori opens a workshop in Ginza to repair and sell clocks. In 1913, his company produced Japan's first wristwatch, then continued to innovate to advance the art of watchmaking, including the first quartz wristwatch in 1969 and the revolutionary Spring Drive technology in 1999.

In 2023, Seiko celebrates the 110th anniversary of its first wristwatch with a series of commemorative timepieces, including this new Presage watch which, like all timepieces in the series, draws inspiration from Seiko's rich technical and design heritage.

Worthy heir

The design of this Presage Style 60's series is inspired by the Crown chronograph introduced in 1964, precisely as the official watch of the Tokyo Olympic Games. At the time, the Crown was Japan's first wristwatch chronograph, and featured several revolutionary new functions. At the time, it was hand-wound, and although it was triggered by a single press on the pusher located at 2 o'clock, Seiko's watchmakers had opted for a column wheel to increase the reliability of chronograph function control. A simple yet sophisticated watch. Already in 2020, it was the subject of a very clear evocation, with a brief limited series of 1964 pieces equipped with the 6R35 caliber.

This model is based on the "Journey on the Road" theme, a vintage universe inspired by retro automobiles, and blends the vintage design of the 1964 creation with contemporary elements to create a collection with a retro touch perfect for modern times.

Journey on the Road

The new collection takes up the characteristics of the Crown chronograph with a box-shaped glass, faceted hour markers and hands with sharp lines. A design imbued with a soft feel that reveals a vintage 60s look. Retro automotive design is very much in evidence, with the dial inspired by vintage car cockpit elements (steering wheel, speedometer, gearshift...).

The dial's inner circular space and the outer surface with the indexes feature different finishing techniques, enhancing legibility and creating a warm vintage ambience with different expressions depending on the viewing angle. There's also a new finish called "Rough Hairline". The 40.8 mm-diameter steel case is delicately rounded and slightly curved for wrist comfort. The lugs are carefully polished to a mirror finish, giving the watches a certain sharpness in their soft, delicate appearance, creating a perfect balance between modernity and vintage spirit.

This SSK015J1 reference features a superb white dial topped by a fixed steel GMT bezel. This limited edition "Laurel" also takes some design elements from SEIKO's first wristwatch. It features blue hands and a red triangle at 12 o'clock. It comes with a NATO leather strap, for pure retro style! This gives it a more vintage feel than previous models. One thing's for sure, this modern watch is meant to be practical with a retro vintage look typical of the 1960s. We love it!

Technical side

This GMT is powered by an automatic caliber visible through the transparent caseback. It features Seiko's brand-new 4R34 movement, based on the solid 4R, a true watchmaking tractor. Perfectly in tune with the mission of the Seiko Presage line, this 24-jewel movement offers 41 hours of power reserve and operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per minute. This technical choice ensures rock-solid reliability, sparing you the need for a regular service interval. In case you're wondering, this GMT has no independent 12-hour hand. Instead, you can set the 24-hour hand by pulling the crown out to the first notch and turning it clockwise.