Seiko unveils a new Presage collection inspired by Hemp Leaves
Japanese watchmaker Seiko is introducing a new subfamily named Sharp Edge into its Presage collection. The watches feature unique dials made by skilled craftsmen and artisans from four locations throughout Japan. The watch’s dial inspiration, a traditional hemp leaf patter called “Asanoha,” comes from Japan’s Heian period (794-1185 AD), a symbol that represents “growth and prosperity,” interpreted here by the pioneering modemist designer Riki Watanabe, whose designs have inspired past Seiko Presage models, most recently the Presage Cocktail Time editions. The dials’ sharply angled surface textures, which create subtle color gradations and catch the light at varying angles, are a product of traditional Japanese artistry and lend the Sharp Edge models their name.
All four references come in 39.9mm diameter cases with screw-down casebacks, water resistant to 100 meters (10 bars), encased in either stainless steel or rose-gold-plated steel. The three steel models all features Seiko’s “Super-Hard” coating (which according to Seiko is an invisible coating that renders the surface relatively scratch-free as well as adding brilliance) and come in three dial colors – blue, green and white – while the rose-gold reference has a brown-colored dial. The thin, stick-shaped hands and applied hour markers use Seiko’s “LumiBrite” material.
Each reference has a sapphire crystal, with anti-reflective coating. Above the dial, as well as a sapphire exhibition caseback displaying the 24-jewel automatic movement, Caliber 6R35. Made in-house, it offers a manual winding function, a frequency of 21,600 vph, a date display at 3 o’clock and a power reserve of 70 hours.
The stainless-steel models are on a matching stainless-steel bracelet, and the rose-gold-plated reference has a brown leather strap. All four of the Sharp Edge models retail for $1000 and are available online through Seiko’s website.
