Four GMT models join Seiko Presage's "Sharp Edged Series"

SEIKO

Introducing Four New GMT Mechanical Models to the Seiko Presage "Sharp Edged Series"

Four new mechanical models equipped with GMT functionality are launching sequentially in Japan and overseas from May 14, 2021, as part of the "Sharp Edged Series" from Seiko Presage, a design series that expresses the refined Japanese aesthetic.

Text by OZAKI Sayaka | Edit by TSUCHIDA Takashi

Dials in Traditional Japanese Colors Complement Business Settings

The "Sharp Edged Series" from Seiko Presage embodies a unique Japanese aesthetic that strips away ornate decoration to pursue the essential. From this series, four mechanical models, the "Seiko Presage Prestige Line Sharp Edged Series" with GMT functionality, have been announced. GMT, an abbreviation for Greenwich Mean Time, is a function that displays a second time zone using a fourth hand, a 24-hour hand (GMT hand), in addition to the standard three hands for hour, minute, and second.

Four New GMT Models Join Seiko Presage's "Sharp Edged Series" | SEIKO

The design is characterized by its sharp, sculpted beauty. The crisp silhouette, primarily composed of flat surfaces with defined edges, creates a dignified presence. The contrast between the mirror and hairline finishes applied to the case and bracelet generates rhythmic shadows and brilliance, lending a stylish accent to the wrist.

The dials feature a three-dimensional representation of the traditional Japanese "Asanoha" (hemp leaf) pattern, created through intersecting straight lines. The Asanoha pattern, symbolizing growth and advancement, has been a popular motif in kimonos and obi sashes. This pattern, achieved by creating subtle height differences on a 0.4mm thick metal plate, reflects light in various directions, imbuing the dial with a deep and beautiful radiance. The dial colors are selected from sophisticated shades of traditional Japanese hues. Sumiiro (ink color) is a dark gray-black close to black, Aitetu (iron blue) is an iron color with a hint of indigo, Tokiwa (evergreen) evokes the color of evergreen trees, and the new addition, Hiwada-iro (cypress bark color), is a reddish-brown with black undertones, reminiscent of cypress bark, making them suitable for a variety of occasions.

The case diameter is kept to 42.2mm, with a design that considers wearability. Additionally, Seiko's proprietary surface-hardening technology, DiaShield, applied to the case and bracelet, protects against scratches and maintains the watch's original beauty for a long time. The movement is the 8-beat mechanical caliber "6R64," equipped with a GMT function. The GMT hand is colored to contrast with each dial color, enhancing legibility. Like the hour and minute hands and indexes, it is coated with Lumibrite for excellent visibility in low light conditions.

The hour hand can be adjusted independently without stopping the movement, allowing for easy correction of time differences. A sub-dial at the 6 o'clock position indicates the date, and at the 9 o'clock position, a power reserve indicator is placed. These features provide high practicality suitable for business use. The case back is a see-through construction, allowing appreciation of the intricate movements unique to mechanical watches.