The New King Seiko Watch Incorporates a Chrysanthemum-Inspired White Dial

This year marks the 110th anniversary of Japan’s first homegrown watch brand, Seiko. It all started when, in 1881, watchmaker Kintaro Hattori opened a shop in Ginza to sell timepieces. His company produced Japan’s first wristwatch in 1913 and has since advanced the art of watchmaking through innovative technology and craft. For 2023, the timepiece maker has unveiled the new King Seiko (Ref. SJE095), a 600-piece limited-edition watch that is inspired by chrysanthemum, recognised as the national flower of Japan.

Emperor Go-Toba (1180–1239) chose the flower as his personal emblem. It is said that the flower came from somewhere in China around the fifth century and cultivation began during the Nara and Heian periods (710-1185). The yellow flower represents sunlight, joy, happiness, intelligence, and energy. In Japanese culture, it is believed that the flower has medicinal properties and thus, it is used to cure liver issues, release toxins, and treat headaches. The plant belongs to the daisy family. 

The 38 mm stainless steel watch’s construction draws inspiration from the 1965 King Seiko KSK. The case of the new King Seiko watch is angular, polished, and faceted, with sharp angles. The monochromatic watch uses mirror polishing on the bezel. With a white dial, the watch recreates the texture of chrysanthemum flowers. Furthermore, there are faceted hour and minute hands, a stainless steel crown at 3 o'clock, and a date window with a white background and black numerals. 

The watch features a pattern of finely intersecting lines, associated with kiku tsunagi-mon, one of the most popular craftworks of Japan. According to the brand, the watch doesn’t have any lume coating; it comes with flat, broad, razor-edged hour and minute hands, and a large second hand that floats above the black minute track. Beneath the sealed caseback lies the calibre 6L35, a slim-profile, in-house, manual winding movement with a 45-hour power reserve. The caseback of the watch has an engraving of King Seiko and the same shield design as the original model. You can also spot the engraving of the individual watch number out of 600. Finishing the watch is a stainless steel bracelet with a deployment clasp with push button release. There is also an additional calf strap.