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๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ Taiwan /Culture & Society

SEIKO Presage Revives Historic Laurel Watch with Exquisite Enamel and Lacquer Dials

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • SEIKO's Presage series introduces two new watches inspired by the 1913 Laurel, Japan's first domestic mechanical watch.
  • The new models feature dials made with traditional Japanese enamel and lacquer techniques, highlighting cultural craftsmanship.
  • These timepieces aim to preserve and celebrate Japan's rich horological heritage for a modern audience.

SEIKO is celebrating its horological legacy with the release of two new timepieces in the Presage Classic Series Craftsmanship collection. These watches draw inspiration from the iconic 1913 Laurel, a landmark in Japanese watchmaking recognized as a 'Mechanical Heritage' by the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers.

The new models are a testament to SEIKO's commitment to preserving and showcasing traditional Japanese artistry. One features a pristine white enamel dial, meticulously crafted by master artisans Mitsuru Yokosawa and Kazunori Uchiyama. Their expertise in controlling temperature, humidity, and glaze composition results in a pure white finish, faithfully replicating the original Laurel's distinctive red '12' numeral.

The second new watch boasts a deep black lacquer dial, a technique honed over centuries in Japan. This demanding process involves repeated hand-lacquering and polishing, yielding a lustrous and durable surface that only improves with age. This dial was overseen by lacquer master Isshu Tamura and brought to life by the father-daughter team Toshikazu and Mitsuki Tsuji, renowned for their Echizen lacquerware.

Both watches are powered by the 6R5H mechanical movement and are fitted with comfortable yet durable oil-tanned leather straps, sourced from LWG-certified tanneries. These new Presage models not only represent SEIKO's technical prowess but also serve as wearable canvases for Japan's rich cultural heritage.

About this summary

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.