WATCH & JEWELRY /
WATCH NEWS
February 10, 2022
The "King Seiko" Returns! Revived for the Modern Era in a Noteworthy Small, Boys' Size | SEIKO
SEIKO | SEIKO
Five models are released, inheriting the pride of the "King Seiko KSK" and revived with modern technology.
SEIKO has announced five new regular models, reviving the "King Seiko" line, which debuted in 1961 and led the domestic luxury watch market at the time, with modern technology. They will be released sequentially worldwide at SEIKO Boutiques starting Friday, February 18, 2022, and at SEIKO WATCH SALON starting Friday, July 8.
The "King Seiko," which showed a new way for domestic luxury watches and led the era.
In the late 1950s, SEIKO re-examined the performance required of watches and introduced a series of groundbreaking models with unique philosophies in movement design and aesthetics, aiming to usher in a new era for Japanese watchmaking. The representative model of this endeavor was the "King Seiko," born in 1961. It achieved a coexistence of excellent performance, advanced design, and reasonable pricing, becoming a landmark presence that drove the evolution of subsequent Japanese mechanical watches.
This model adopts the second-generation King Seiko "KSK," released in 1965, as its development foundation. The "KSK" was equipped with water resistance, which the original 1961 model lacked, and a "stop-second device" for precise time setting. While its practical advancements were highly praised, it also established the original design identity of King Seiko through its uncluttered dial layout, sharp case styling with emphasized edges, and box-shaped crystal.
Inspired by the "KSK," this new model retains the compact size close to the original, while further emphasizing the distinctive thick, robust lugs for a modern aesthetic. The boldly faceted case is finished with a combination of mirror and hairline polishing for a sharp texture. The classic box-shaped sapphire crystal, with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface, reproduces the refined yet soft ambiance inherited from the original, while its low center of gravity ensures comfortable wear.
On the dial, faceted three-dimensional hour markers and substantial, long hands ensure excellent legibility. The hour marker at the 12 o'clock position, with its unique shape inherited from the "KSK," features a "lighter cut" on its top surface, enhancing its distinctive character with a sparkling brilliance.
The dial colors are available in five variations: silver, charcoal gray, brown, and red. The silver model (SDKS001) recreates the original "KSK" from 1965. The metallic gray dial, with its delicate vertical hairline pattern, offers a contemporary expression, while the charcoal gray, brown, and red dials feature a beautiful sunburst finish, adding warmth to the wrist.
The crown and case back are engraved with a brand mark, a modernized and flatter rendition of the King Seiko "shield." The bracelet is a newly developed multi-row design, paying homage to the King Seiko of the 1960s. Like the case, its multi-faceted construction, with alternating mirror and hairline finishes, provides comfortable wear and dynamic light play.
The Caliber 6R31 powering this model omits the calendar function, thereby enhancing the dial's refined beauty, similar to the original "KSK." It is a compact automatic movement with a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. Additionally, five interchangeable straps, matching the dial colors, will be released simultaneously.
https://www.seikowatches.com/jp-ja/products/kingseiko/special/simulator/These straps can be freely combined with the watch using the simulator on the official website.
King Seiko
- Ref. | SDKS001, SDKS003, SDKS005, SDKS007, SDKS009
- Movement | Automatic (with manual winding, mechanical movement Caliber 6R31)
- Power Reserve | Approx. 70 hours
- Case, Bracelet Material | SS
- Case Diameter | 37mm
- Water Resistance | 10 bar
- Suggested Retail Price | 198,000 yen (tax included)
- Release | Pre-sale at SEIKO Boutiques from Friday, February 18, 2022; release at SEIKO WATCH SALON from Friday, July 8
Straps for "King Seiko"
- Ref. | XSL00119, XSL00319, XSL00519, XSL00719, XSL00919
- Strap Material | Calf (XSL00119, XSL00319, XSL00519, XSL00719), Synthetic Leather (XSL00919)
- Suggested Retail Price | 17,600 yen (XSL00119, XSL00319, XSL00519, XSL00719), 16,500 yen (XSL00919)
- Release | Pre-sale at SEIKO Boutiques from Friday, February 18, 2022; release at SEIKO WATCH SALON from Friday, July 8
