Seiko  Presage  Watches

Seiko Presage: A Testament to Japan's Watchmaking Expertise

Seiko watches are a big part of watchmaking history. Seiko introduced Japan’s first wrist watch with a stopwatch in 1963 and the country’s first diving computer watch in 2000. Today, the brand continues to innovate while championing Japanese values. 

The Seiko Presage is the biggest example of this. The line delivers a glimpse of the Japanese nightlife with the Cocktail Time collection — watches inspired by Ginza’s most popular party drinks. Furthermore, it also delivers appreciation for Japan’s natural beauty with its Japanese Garden collection— watches inspired by Japanese Zen Gardens. Indeed, the Seiko Presage offers many designs and sizes to choose from, truly a testament to Japan’s detailed craftsmanship. 

Prices at a Glance: The Most Popular Seiko Presage Watches

How much is a Seiko Presage watch?

Prices for the Seiko Presage can range from $400 to $3,089 USD. This mostly depends on which line of watches they are from. For example, a timepiece from the successful Cocktail Time collections lands at about $400 to $500 USD. These pieces have various colors and personal stories that represent Japanese nightlife. It has a Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SSA785J1 for the ladies, as well as Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPE43J1 for men.

The Seiko Presage expensive offerings are usually limited-edition pieces. One such limited-edition piece is the Seiko Presage Urushi Byakudan-nuri Limited Edition. Landing at about $3,100 USD, this watch uses the most elaborate techniques in lacquering your Seiko watch. Such techniques are practiced in-house by Urushi Master Isshu Tamura’s studio in Japan. 

Other top-performing Seiko Presage watches include a recreation of the Laurel, Seiko’s first wrist watch. The Seiko Presage SARX041 has the classic silhouette and original look of a Laurel. It is a time capsule for Seiko’s history and lands at around $500 to $600 USD. Still, slight differences are evident. For one, the Laurel was released before Seiko even started printing its name on its watches. 

This $500 to $600 USD price point is also applicable to the Japanese Garden timepieces. A classic timepiece from this collection is the Seiko Presage Automatic SARY165. Its aesthetic mimics the ponds one may find in a Japanese garden. Moreover, its delicate hands are a testament to Japanese craftsmanship. 

Prices for the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Watches

Possibly the most successful and well-known collection from Presage is the Cocktail Time collection. Fun, elegant, and classy, these watches offer various dials that can fit anyone’s personality. 

Following its name, the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Collection has different dials inspired by various drinks one can find in their cocktail glasses. With a slim silhouette and delicate hands, these Seiko Presage watches can survive a night out or a working day in. 

Examples of timepieces under this collection is a green graduated dial inspired by the Grasshopper, priced at around $520 USD. Other sources of inspiration include an Acapulco Blue cocktail and a Mojito (for newer pieces), priced at approximately $540 USD. These are delicious colors that make these watches a collector’s dream. 

Features vary from watch to watch, especially since the line offers both men’s and ladies’ watches. The most popular watches, those with green and blue dials, even have slight variations. The Grasshopper has a stop second hand function, whereas the blue-hued dial has a date window. 

Prices for the Seiko Presage Japanese Garden Models

Contrasting the playful Cocktail Time comes the Seiko Presage Japanese Garden line, priced at approximately $580 USD. The timepieces here remain inspired by the depth and minimalism of Japanese Zen Gardens. Thus, its silhouette and colors mimic the values of nature. 

The dials of these timepieces have shadows and ripples that you may see in a Zen garden. These add a classic but dramatic effect to your Seiko Presage. This is also a testament to the clean white space of the watch. 

A Japanese Garden Seiko Presage is a treat for the eyes. These timepieces also have curved sapphire crystal markers, red autumnal aesthetics, and soft shadows. Other colors are also one with nature: a grassy green and a deep river-blue. 

This line of Seiko Presage watches also introduces a smaller and more compact model. Shaped at 38.3mm, a mid-sized Japanese Garden watch, priced at around $550 USD, is a perfect simple timepiece to perch on your wrist. Like nature, it will feel like a part of you with how light it is. 

Prices for the Seiko Presage Ladies' Watches

Seiko Presage would be amiss to exclude the ladies from its collection. Because the Presage presents classy but bold timepieces, a line of Ladies’ watches is right in its wheelhouse. 

This is the case especially for the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time line. In this Ladies’ collection are watches dazzling in silver, rose gold, and wine red. This is only the beginning, too, as this collection has over 10 watches for you to choose from. 

While it accounts for variety, this line remains consistent in power. On average, a timepiece from the Cocktail Time Ladies’ collection has a 4R35 calibre, a 40-hour power reserve, and water resistance of up to 50 meters. A watch from the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Ladies’ collection is priced at approximately $510 USD.

Do not underestimate the pinks and bright reds, too, as most of these have the highest quality stainless steel bracelets. The cocktails that inspire this line of Seiko Presage watches include the Spritzer, the Bellini, and three classic wines. This line is glamorous and powerful, just like the women who wear it. 

These cocktails and drinks were hand-selected by Hisashi Kishi, the head bartender of Ginza’s Star Bar. Such was the case for the men’s collection as well. 

Limited-Edition Seiko Presage Watches

There are a handful of timepieces under the Seiko Presage collection that are limited edition. These include the Seiko Boutique and the Japanese Crown watches. 

Seiko Boutique Limited-Edition Watches

To begin with, the Seiko Boutique Limited Edition is not a far cry from Presage’s Japanese Garden line. It is also woven tightly with the natural environment, and colored as such. This timepiece has a blue-green dial that shines with natural hues, and does not dazzle. A Boutique is as simple and elegant as a Presage can go. 

Taking you to the streams and mountain seams, the Boutique is most known for its enamel dial. Created by enamel craftsman Mr. Mitsuru Yokozawa, a Seiko Boutique is a celebration of the hard work that goes into watches. It also is a testament to the rich craftsmanship of Japanese culture. 

Japanese Crown 2020 Watches

Inspired by Seiko’s popular Crown Chronograph from 1964, this 3-hand watch boasts many features. It has a calendar, a stopwatch function, and is completely mechanical. 

The Crown Chronograph is a big part of Seiko’s history. This was the first Japanese wristwatch that had a stopwatch function, making it a must-have for any sportsman at the time. It was even used for international sports events in the country. 

An homage to its 1964 release date, Seiko only has 1964 of these in circulation. The Japanese Crown is the most faithful reproduction of the Crown Chronograph. However, it also has modern and high-tech features. This includes its 70-hour power reserve. 

A Japanese Crown is also made of Lumibrite and has non-reflective coating. As a sportsman’s watch, this is easy-to-read. It is even tilted slightly for its users. 

History Behind the Seiko Presage Watch

Seiko has decades of experience under its belt, but there is only one origin story for the brand. In 1881, Kintaro Hattori opened a watch that sold and repaired timepieces. Located in central Tokyo, this climbed its way up the ranks by making stopwatches, railway clocks, and more. 

Each timepiece exists because of Seiko’s appreciation of precision and perfection. It is the first Japanese brand to introduce a stopwatch function and the first to introduce a Diver’s watch. The brand has had centuries to innovate and change the watch industry, and so it did. 

There is no discussing the history of Seiko without getting to the Seiko Laurel. The brand’s first wristwatch, the Laurel, dates back even before Seiko itself. This watch existed before Seiko’s name did, as it was released in 1913. Before the Laurel, creator Kintaro Hattori only sold, repaired, and imported watches. He was in his 20’s when he began doing this, and was quick to innovate after. 

With the Laurel, Seiko was en route to being Japan’s largest watch producer. This watch had a 7 jewel movement and a case that looked like a pocket watch. There were also only about 30 of them made in a day. A Laurel is the most vintage Seiko watch you can get. Its look is a classic watch, one that you can wear for any occasion. Dress down or paint the town red with a Seiko Laurel. Its red 12-hour Arabic numeral will make it difficult to miss. 

Reasons to Buy a Seiko Presage Watch

1. Aesthetic Value 

The Seiko Presage pieces are one with the craftsmanship and artistry of Japan. Its collections, from the Cocktail Time to the Japanese Garden, are elegant and bold. Each watch tells a story and each watch is delicately made by Seiko. Presage timepieces lend modern class to otherwise classic silhouettes. It is daring without being loud, making it a feast for the eyes. 

2. Historic Value 

Timepieces from the Seiko Presage collection also provide rich historic value. This goes especially for the Japanese Crown 2020, which is an homage to one of the brand’s earliest innovative watches. Furthermore, the Japanese Garden collection roots itself in classic Japanese values. It is simple, elegant, and precise. Inspired by Japanese Zen gardens, the Japanese Garden timepieces represent the classic sensibilities of Japanese culture. 

3. Functionality

Watches from the Seiko Presage collection vary in size, color, and even price. However, their capabilities run strong and almost the same. With 40 to 80 hour power reserves, a Presage watch is heavy duty. What’s more, its water resistance can also go as deep as 100 meters, making it a durable timepiece that can last you a lifetime. 

Seiko Presage: Elegant Dress Watches for Everyday Wear

The Seiko Presage is a playful collection without overstepping its boundaries. Any timepiece from this collection can turn heads, but can also blend well with a crowd. There are several Japanese values embedded in each watch from the Seiko Presage. As one of the world’s leading Japanese brands, Seiko represents simplicity, craftsmanship, fun, and refinement at the same time. These are exactly what a timepiece from the Seiko Presage collection offers.