The Calm Before the Storm
A quieter week as I prepare some iconic pieces for the end of June
The Precursor
Only a small offering this week as I’ve been busy preparing some rather exciting and well known pieces for the coming weeks. I’ve got various pieces that I plan to list before the end of June being serviced at the moment. You might think I have a “watch guy”; the classic “guy” that everyone seems to have. Sadly, it’s not that simple. Seiko have consistently made such a wide range of watches over the years that I’ve found I need watch guys, not guy, to be able to handle the differences between a retro Quartz, a classic Kinetic, a vintage Grand Seiko, a traditional 6R, and everything in between. Luckily, Japan has a plethora of skilled Seiko experts. It’s fun, but certainly a complicated challenge trying to determine who is best suited to work on each watch!
Seiko SARW041 “Titanium Snowflake”
One of several “baby” snowflake offerings from Seiko, but the only one in a titanium case. Thanks to the lightweight choice of metal, the watch is a perfect daily driver, and is as close to a SBGA211 as you can get without spending six times as much.
It features a power reserve indicator and a circular date subdial. The titanium case and bracelet are a mix of highly polished and brushed surfaces, which gives the watch the retro charm I think it is going for. It wouldn’t look too out of place in “60s Presage” line that Seiko recently released. Comes with full box and papers.
Seiko 21-3210 “Kotobuki” Emperor Watch
Designed by Seiko to celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Japan’s Emperor Hirohito in 1973. I’ve been lucky enough to source a couple of these in mint condition over the last few years, but this is the fullest kit I’ve ever managed to track down.
The original spare dial, price tags and box! The box is made covered in a beautiful folded red velvet with a gold accented Kotobuki on the inside. I’ll be featuring it in the videos and pictures, so have a look later this week if you’re interested as very few of these boxes have survived, and even fewer have made it to the Western markets. The listing on my website will explain the history and symbolism of the watch (and box) for those that want to read it!
Seiko SCVE041 Limited Edition “Nano Universe”
Perhaps not my typical style, but there’s something alluring about a vertically split California dial. In 2016 Seiko collaborated with Nano Universe, a Japanese fashion brand, to make California “stealth” watches. Only 500 were made so they’re not particularly well known outside of Japan.
A California dial is traditionally split in half, with the top half of the dial’s markers being Roman numerals and the bottom half being Arabic numbers. It was originally called a “High Visibility” dial and was designed to make it easier for pilots to read watch dials in low light conditions. Unfortunately I can’t explain why this watch has a vertical California split, but I like it. If I’m being totally honest, I also can’t explain why a traditional California dial is easier to read than a normal dial in low lighting! Comes with full box and papers.
Don’t forget to follow my Instagram to see all of the watches above in full cinematic glory.