Spinning Tales! Seiko Weaves an Enchanting Story with a New Quartet of Presage Classics

There is a meme going around that reads, “The amount [sic] of beautiful things in life depends on your ability to notice them.” It seemed like an apt way to describe the four new creations joining Seiko’s Presage Classic Series.

With one limited-edition and three regular-production models, all four feature a gorgeous dial pattern inspired by Tomioka silk, a premium Japanese silk produced in Gunma Prefecture in the northern Kanto region of Japan.

Silk is synonymous with luxury. It is more than just a textile that feels good against the skin; it carries a lot of cultural weight, as it is a fiber spun by the larvae of the mulberry silkworm as they form cocoons, which is then transformed into a strong, lustrous fabric that dates back thousands of years. In ancient China, it was once considered a divine material reserved for emperors and the elite.

The very world as we know it has been shaped by the trade of this fine fabric. Eurasia was crisscrossed by land and maritime routes known as the Silk Roads. Royalty across Asia and Europe wore silk to signify power, wealth, and prestige. Today, its gorgeous finish still makes it a favorite fabric for haute couture.

It’s a rich history to base some dials on, but look even closer, and you’ll find that it’s just a small part of what makes these dress watches so irresistible.

While most of the world knows what silk is, the process of silkworm farming was shrouded in secrecy for centuries. In a way, producing silk was an early example of Scarcity Luxury – the strategy of keeping supply well below demand to make silk more exclusive.
 

The four additions to the Presage Classic Series read as posh but are a little more attainable, both in terms of production numbers and price. Yes, there is one limited-edition model, but there are also three regular-production models. Each version has a dial pattern inspired by Tomioka silk, one of the most premium Japanese fabrics produced in Gunma Prefecture, in the northern Kanto region of Japan.
 

A further tribute to the nature of silk: The intricate moiré-like dial patterns of the limited-edition watch have an additional pearl-like coating inspired by a rare silkworm variety cultivated in Gunma Prefecture. And it comes on with a dark brown leather strap inspired by the brick architecture of the Tomioka Silk Mill.

Seiko has always promoted traditional Japanese crafts whose origins lie outside watchmaking. And an important part of the Japanese aesthetic is combining functional beauty with elevated technique.

In the case of the new Presage Classic editions, that means marrying high-quality materials and techniques with an everyday art sensibility. It’s also about mastering one’s craft through years of watchmaking experience. For watch enthusiasts, that means these new Presage models offer an opportunity to discover more of life's beautiful things.
 

For further personalization, three regular-production models feature the same dial pattern but with a spectrum of three colors tied to traditional hues used in dying silk: wakatake-iro (a vibrant green often used when dying kimonos), sakura-iro (a soft pink that evokes the color of cherry blossoms in bloom), and shironeri (a bright white meant to resemble refined silk threads).

The green (Ref. HCC002) and white (Ref. HCC001) unlimited versions are set on a newly developed, ‘70s-style, multi-row stainless steel bracelet with short, ergonomically shaped links with a curved top surface for a comfortable fit and enhanced aesthetics. Meanwhile, the unlimited pink-dialed model (Ref. HCC003) comes on a deep brown leather strap that perfectly complements the delicate dial color (which makes sense, since the strap’s color was inspired by the trunk of a cherry blossom tree).
 

All four models are also offered in a 38mm case that hugs the wrist like silk surrounds the body. The tops of the indices are also tailored to conform to the dials’ rounded shape, and the minute and seconds hands bend gently toward the markers.

Lastly, as a final nod to silk’s supple yet enduring qualities, each watch in the series is equipped with the 6R51 caliber, a mechanical movement with a 3-day power reserve. The caliber’s qualities are indicated with “AUTOMATIC 3 DAYS” printed on the dial.

Limited to 2,000 pieces, the Presage Classic Series “Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization” Limited Edition (Ref. HCC008) is priced at $1,150. Meanwhile, the non-limited versions are priced at $950. All are available at select retail locations. For more information, check out the Seiko website.