TIMELESS LOOKS AND PRECISELY JAPANESE MECHANICAL TIMEKEEPING

Seiko Presage watches are designed with classic looks and modern watchmaking; powered by in-house created automatic calibres including the 4R35 and 6R35, with the high quality features you'd expect from Seiko watches including Sapphire or Hardlex crystal glass and, in some models, exhibition casebacks with visibility of the movements inside. The Craftsmanship collection showcases traditional Japanese art techniques with hand-finished dials in materials including Urushi lacquer, Arita porcelain and enamel whilst the Cocktail Time collection takes inspiration from Japanese cocktail culture. The combination of in-house watchmaking and artisan dial work is a significant part of the collection's appeal.

Almost all Seiko Presage models are automatic mechanical watches, with in-house created calibres including the 4R35, 6R35 with its 70-hour power reserve, 6R27 and 6L35. A select number of references are powered by Spring Drive or manual-winding movements. Each movement is designed and produced in-house by Seiko, and the specific calibre is listed in the specifications on each watch specific web page.

Many Seiko Presage references feature sapphire crystal, with some Craftsmanship Series models featuring dual-curved sapphire that echoes the shape of the dial beneath. Other models in the collection use box-shaped Hardlex crystal, a hardened mineral glass developed by Seiko. The crystal type is listed in the specifications on each specific watch web page.

Seiko Presage is widely considered as a classic dress watch collection, designed with clean proportions, refined dials and leather straps or polished bracelets more suited to formal wear.

Seiko Presage watches are designed with classic looks and modern watchmaking; powered by in-house created automatic calibres including the 4R35 and 6R35, with the high quality features you'd expect from Seiko watches including Sapphire or Hardlex crystal glass and, in some models, exhibition casebacks with visibility of the movements inside. The Craftsmanship collection showcases traditional Japanese art techniques with hand-finished dials in materials including Urushi lacquer, Arita porcelain and enamel, bringing a craftsmanship element often associated with luxury watchmaking.

Seiko Presage models offer water resistance of 5 bar (50m), suitable for everyday wear including hand-washing and light splashing and some references are rated to 10 bar (100m), whilst certain Craftsmanship Series dials with hand-finished Urushi or enamel are rated as splash-resistant only, due to their handcrafted nature, and should be kept away from water. Water resistance ratings are listed on each watch specific web page.

The Presage Cocktail Time collection is inspired by Japanese cocktail culture, with each watch named after a cocktail created by Hisashi Kishi, award-winning bartender at Star Bar in Tokyo's Ginza district. In Tokyo, after work, it's a traditional ritual to go for a cocktail and continue the meeting in what's called 'Nomunication hour.' The dials of the Cocktail Time watches are designed to reflect light in a way that echoes the visual character of the drinks that inspired them, and the second hand is shaped like a cocktail twizzle stirring stick.

The Seiko Presage Craftsmanship Series pairs the art of Japanese 'Takumi' artisan techniques with Seiko's mechanical watchmaking. Dials are hand-finished by specialists in Urushi lacquer, Maki-e gold lacquer, enamel or Arita porcelain, each fired or worked individually by hand - the artisan process makes each dial subtly unique.

To wind an automatic Seiko Presage watch, turn the crown clockwise around 20 to 30 times to build an initial charge, then normal wrist movement will keep the watch running. If the watch has stopped, it should be wound before setting the time and date.

Pull the crown out to the first position and turn it to adjust the date - if you find it hard to find first position, sometimes it is easier to pull the crown the whole way out to second position (the time set position) and then lightly push it in to first position rather than pushing it back the whole way in. Avoid changing the date between 9pm and 3am, when the date-change mechanism is engaged, as this can cause damage over time. Pull the crown to the second position to set the time, then push it fully back in when finished.

Seiko Presage bracelets use a pin-and-collar link construction, which is typically removed using a bracelet adjustment tool. Arrows on the underside of the bracelet indicate the direction to push the pins. If you would prefer to have it fitted professionally, complimentary bracelet adjustments are available at the Seiko boutique on New Bond Street, London.

The Seiko SARB collection was discontinued in 2018. The dress-watch SARB033 and SARB035 were effectively succeeded by the current Presage Classic Series and Presage Cocktail Time collections, which continue the mechanical dress watch tradition with updated calibres, sapphire crystal and refined dial finishes. The SARB017 'Alpinist' is now within the Seiko Prospex Land collection.