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Min. ReadKing Seiko, which resurfaced in 2020, strengthens its place in the product group with newly introduced retro-inspired models.
Seiko revives a classic 1969 design, the King Seiko 45KCM, with a new series of elegantly shaped watches. The King Seiko brand, established in 1960 alongside Grand Seiko, aimed to create the best, most accurate watch under the Seikosha brand. While Grand Seiko thrived, King Seiko faded into obscurity until its revival in late 2020. Seiko has now introduced a new collection inspired by the 1969 King Seiko 45KCM: the King Seiko KS1969 Series (SJE109, SJE111, SJE113, SJE115).
The original 1969 King Seiko 45KCM featured a distinctive tonneau shape with strong facets and was powered by a hand-wound chronometer-certified hi-beat Calibre 45. The new King Seiko KS1969 Series retains this curved silhouette but adds elegance, refinement, and thinness. With a blade-like profile and a thickness of just 9.9mm, this collection exudes a dressy touch. The watch measures 39.4mm in diameter, and its strong shoulders and curved barrel shape give it a significant wrist presence and a unique character. The highly polished surfaces and box-shaped sapphire crystal enhance its elegant, retro appeal.
The King Seiko KS1969 Series watches come with a multi-link stainless steel bracelet, featuring brushed and polished surfaces, and a concealed triple folding clasp. This design ensures both sophistication and comfort, with Seiko claiming a low center of gravity for added wearability.
Each watch in the series shares faceted and polished hour markers and hands, a framed date window, and a distinctive double marker at 12, evoking the feather fletching of an arrow. The collection includes four different dial colors and textures: the SJE109 with a lightly brushed silvery-white dial, the SJE111 in Edo Purple, the SJE113 in Gradient Green with a washi paper-like texture, and the limited-edition SJE115 in light blue-green, inspired by dragon scales.
Powered by the slimline Calibre 6L35, an in-house movement comparable to the ETA 2892, these watches offer a 45-hour power reserve and beat at 4Hz. Despite a minimum claimed accuracy of -10 to +15 seconds per day, the movement’s slim profile enhances the collection's overall elegance.
The King Seiko KS1969 Series SJE109, SJE111, and SJE113 will be available from July 2024 as part of the permanent collection, while the light blue SJE115 will be a limited edition of 700 pieces.
