In a lot the identical manner that Seiko has been utilizing its Prospex assortment to spearhead a transfer upmarket within the sports activities watch class, the Japanese producer has additionally been using an analogous tactic within the gown watch section by releasing premium Presage fashions with dials that showcase conventional artisanal methods. Whereas the entry level to the Presage assortment nonetheless stays considerably under the thousand-dollar mark, Seiko has additionally created an rising variety of elevated Presage fashions supposed to occupy the house slightly below King Seiko. Becoming a member of the model’s catalog for 2025 is the Seiko Presage Basic Collection Unglazed Arita Porcelain Dial SPB497, which is a 1,200-piece restricted version that showcases a recent expression of a four-century-old Japanese craft.
Much like many Seiko Presage fashions, the dial is the standout characteristic on the brand new SPB497 (formally referred to by the model because the Seiko Presage Basic Collection “Craftsmanship” Unglazed Arita Porcelain Dial Restricted Version SPB497), and its case is subsequently slightly just like what you get from different premium fashions from the trendy Presage lineup. Crafted from chrome steel with Seiko’s “tremendous exhausting coating” for added scratch resistance, the case measures 40.6mm in diameter by 12.5mm thick, with a lug width of 20mm and an general lug-to-lug profile of 49.1mm. In contrast to entry-level Presage fashions, the SPB497 makes use of sapphire for its double-domed entrance crystal and display-style caseback, and water resistance is available in at 100 meters (the identical as most Presage fashions), which is greater than acceptable for a dress watch with a normal push/pull-style winding crown.
Most three-handed Presage fashions both have date home windows or “open coronary heart” apertures, though the Seiko Presage Basic Collection SPB497 contains a clear and symmetrical time-only format to maintain the visible emphasis on its unglazed Arita porcelain dial. The normal Japanese artwork of Arita porcelain dates again to the early seventeenth century; nevertheless, unglazed Arita porcelain is a more moderen method that showcases the pure matte texture of the porcelain stone. The brand new SPB497 marks the primary time that Seiko has used unglazed Arita porcelain throughout the Presage assortment, and in contrast to the Arita porcelain dials discovered inside fashions just like the Presage Craftsmanship Series SPB445J1 (that are characterised by shiny glazed surfaces), the unglazed Arita porcelain dial fitted to the brand new SPB497 is adored with a modernized interpretation of a conventional “hishi” (rhombus) sample, which is a motif continuously related to prosperity and longevity.
The intricate sample molded into the floor of the unglazed Arita porcelain dial is most outstanding throughout the areas surrounding its indexes, and this gives the dial with a considerably domed and three-dimensional look. In the meantime, the trio of arms and utilized baton-shaped hour markers are given a gold-colored end, which enhances the light heat hue of the unglazed porcelain stone, whereas additionally offering sufficient visible distinction to make sure legibility. Similar to all of Seiko’s extra art-focused dials, the unglazed Arita porcelain dial fitted to the brand new Presage Basic Collection SPB497 is sort of actually going to be a creation that’s finest appreciated by means of a loupe, as its pure porcelain floor and complex “hishi” motif are all about delicate particulars. With that in thoughts, Seiko seems to haven’t even tried to seize the great thing about its new unglazed porcelain dial, and as an alternative merely gives a handful of slightly uninspiring renders (as is customary for many of the model’s releases).
Internally, the Seiko Presage Basic Collection Unglazed Arita Porcelain Dial SPB497 affords few surprises, and powering the watch is the Caliber 6R51 computerized motion, which represents a step above the Cal. 4Rxx sequence that may be discovered contained in the model’s entry-level fashions. For these conversant in Seiko’s motion catalog, the Cal. 6R51 is actually the time-only model of the extra frequent Cal. 6R55, and it equally runs at a frequency of 21,600vph (3 Hz) with an influence reserve of roughly 72 hours. Regardless of boasting a superior stage of precision than what exists among the many entry-level Cal. 4Rxx sequence, the Caliber 6R51 nonetheless affords a slightly unremarkable accuracy ranking of -15/+25 seconds per day, and I can’t assist however really feel that this slightly standard-fare motion is the one element holding Seiko’s premium Presage fashions again from comfortably present inside their goal section of the market.
Seiko’s Caliber 6Rxx sequence is objectively a dependable and confirmed design; nevertheless, its basic structure doesn’t enable for an particularly skinny case profile, and its 3 Hz working frequency is beginning to really feel a bit outdated when in comparison with the quite a few completely different 4 Hz actions that exist at related value factors. Except for having a gold-colored rotor that’s etched with Geneva stripes, the Caliber 6R51 in any other case affords the identical industrial ending that characterizes Seiko’s entry-level actions, and it finally feels a bit too inauspicious for an elevated gown watch with a home made porcelain dial. Moreover, Seiko’s actions usually hold considerably higher time than the outward parameters of their on-paper specs, however -15/+25 seconds per day is nowhere even near chronometer requirements, and a little bit of regulation (together with barely extra elaborate ending) might simply elevate the Cal. 6R51 to a stage that will be becoming for a premium Presage mannequin.
Finishing the Seiko Presage Basic Collection Unglazed Arita Porcelain Dial SPB497 is a black leather-based strap with small gold distinction stitches close to the lugs, and the leather-based utilized in its building has been sourced from tanneries licensed by the Leather-based Working Group, which is a non-profit group devoted to sustainable leather-based manufacturing. Reasonably than being fitted with conventional tang-style buckles, the leather-based straps for Seiko’s Presage fashions obtain deployant-style clasps, and connecting the 2 ends of the strap on the brand new SPB497 is a chrome steel folding clasp that operates with a double push-button launch and is engraved with Seiko’s emblem. Though the strap itself isn’t significantly thrilling, it does complement the watch fairly properly, with its gold stitches making a delicate visible connection, whereas its easy black leather-based construction permits the party-piece Arita porcelain dial to take heart stage.
Although Seiko hasn’t truly supplied any actual photographs of the brand new Presage Basic Collection SPB497, I can just about assure that its unglazed Artia porcelain dial shall be fairly pretty, and I’m personally a giant fan of Seiko’s determination to go along with a simplified time-only format, as a date show would have interpreted the delicate motif that adorns the dial’s floor. That stated, the Seiko Presage Basic Collection “Craftsmanship” Unglazed Arita Porcelain Dial SPB497 has an official retail value of $1,850 USD, which is 4 occasions greater than what the model costs for its entry-level Presage Cocktail Time fashions. To be honest, the SPB497 is a tangibly extra elevated timepiece that provides a superior motion, sapphire crystals, and a home made unglazed Artia porcelain dial; nevertheless, it’s plain that this 1,200-piece restricted version is a categorically completely different buy than the entry-level Presage fashions that originally gained over the hearts of collectors. For extra data, please go to the Seiko watches website.
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