04/28/2021

A Closer Look At The Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series SPB203 And SPB205

As part of Seiko’s 140th anniversary celebration, these timepieces pay tribute to Japan’s urban cityscapes.

By Rhonda Riche

Editor-At-Large

Many of us are filled with an aching urge to travel. In English, we call it wanderlust. The Portuguese call it saudade, which is the feeling of nostalgia and longing for someone or something distant. And the Germans have several words for this feeling – including the English-adopted wanderlust – but our favorite is fernweh, which roughly translates to “far sickness.”

So, while travel is still restricted in many places, Seiko wants to bring faraway destinations to you. In honor of the 140th anniversary of its founding, Seiko has launched limited editions from its Prospex, Presage, and Astron collections inspired by the vibrant landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes of Japan.

We’ve already talked about the Prospex 140th anniversary divers, so let’s take a closer look at the two new Presage Sharp Edged Series pieces.

City Sunrise

Kintaro Hattori started his watchmaking company in 1881. Within 50 years, Seiko became the leading watch company in Japan, with its own design and production facilities. Hattori’s credo was: “Always one step ahead of the rest.” And as a tribute to the founder’s vision, Seiko is using Kintaro’s words to honor the 140th anniversary of the founding of his company.

Seiko Founder, Kintaro Hattori © Seiko

Tokyo's Temples At Sunrise

The Trip to Tokyo

Of all of Seiko’s collections, Presage is the most forward-thinking. Introduced in 2020, the Sharp Edged series is also the most modern watch in the Presage family. The crisp edges of the case and bracelet contrast nicely with the subtle hairline finish. The precisely engineered and polished surfaces also provide sparkle and shine no matter the angle you view it.

The Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series SPB203

These Presage Sharp Edged pieces are a love letter to one of the most modern towns in the world: Tokyo. Inspired by the way the sun rises over this dynamic city, the gold indices and hands of the SPB205 mimic the way golden highlights shimmer through the sky at morning twilight. Black hard-coating has been applied to the stainless steel case and the bracelet to suggest the dark sky before sunrise. Moreover, the SPB205's gradient brown dial hints at the infinite possibilities of a new day dawning.

The Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series 140th Anniversary Limited Edition SPB205

The hands and indexes of both pieces are molded and pressed to their shapes and afterward, are sharply faceted by Seiko's proprietary diamond-cut technique. And, of course, the architecture of both the SPB203's and SPB205's cases and bracelet summon up the sleek skyscrapers and other modern buildings that comprise the Tokyo skyline.

Urban History

No birthday party would be complete without a nod to the past. Like other watches in the Presage Sharp Edged Series, the watches have the Asanoha (hemp leaf) pattern used in Japanese fabrics for over a thousand years ago, since the Heian period.

In Japanese culture, this motif symbolizes rapid and healthy growth, and it is believed to the bestower of long life, especially for children. This geometric texture also pumps up the color play on the dial, not unlike how the tones of the sky shift as the sun's rays peek over the horizon. The effect is illuminating.

The Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series SPB203

And just as Tokyo has many moods, you can also change up the look of the Presage Sharp Edged Series. It comes in a stainless steel version (SPB203) and a black hard-coated version (SPB205), and each comes with a black leather strap or matching bracelet. Measuring in at a sensible diameter of 39.3mm and a thickness of 11.1mm, they look right and feel comfortable on most wrists.

The Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series SPB203

All in all, these chic timepieces offer a contemporary contemplation of the Japanese aesthetic.

Travel Times

Tokyo’s vibe is best described as high energy. Appropriately, both Presage Sharp Edged Series models are powered by Seiko’s high-frequency Caliber 6R35 automatic movement. This mechanism beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour (6 beats per second) and has a power reserve of 70 hours.

The Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series 140th Anniversary Limited Edition SPB205

The watches also have fine finishes like a screw display caseback and magnetic resistance to 4,800 a/m. And the stainless steel bracelet has a three-fold clasp with a push-button release.

The Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series 140th Anniversary Limited Edition SPB205

Not only do these timepieces conjure the essence of Tokyo’s morning twilight, from their amazing dials to the sharpness of their surfaces, but these Presage Sharp Edged Series pieces are downright lovely watches. Even better, though they look premium, they are priced at a very accessible $1,000 (Stainless Steel SPB203) and $1,150 (Black hard-coated SPB205). The SPB205 is limited to 4,000 pieces, whereas the SPB203 is a non-limited production model. Both watches are available now.