It’s no secret by now that Grand Seiko is largely inspired by nature. You don’t get dials like the Silver Birch or Snowflake hanging out in the inner city. King Seiko however are taking a very different approach with their new trio of VANAC models: The King Seiko VANAC “Tokyo Highway”.
King Seiko as a brand has an interesting history. Developed in the 1960s alongside Grand Seiko, it never quite took off like it’s prestige sibling. That said, the early line-up included some funky references, including the 1972 VANAC. It was designed as a maximalist alternative to the brand’s more pared-back mainline collection, with faceted crystals, colourful dials and indexes that looks more Las Vegas casino than Japanese sophistication.
The modern VANAC models aren’t quite as off-the-wall as that, though they do retain those indexes, particularly the 12 o’clock marker like a pharaoh’s headdress. It’s a modern look that lends itself to a more urban colourway, hence the new trio’s emphasis on Tokyo’s car transit system.
The “Tokyo Highway” comes in three colours: Twilight Violet, Silvertone and Night Black, capturing the range of nighttime colours across the megacity’s expressways. Of the three, the silver is what I’d like to see more of. The purple is softer than we’ve seen before, particularly with the less dramatic horizontal lines of previous VANAC models. It’s a cool, if very particular dial, and while the black is a safe bet, I’m a sucker for monochrome, particularly with a case like this.
Said case is 41mm across of ultra-faceted titanium, emphasised by polished curves and brushed flat planes. It’s not hard to imagine that once upon a time, this was Seiko’s experimental line. It’s still one of the most interesting watches on the wrist in this price range.
Inside is Seiko’s most accurate modern automatic movement to date, the 8L45. In numbers, that means a 4Hz frequency, 72-hour power reserve and accuracy of -5/+10 seconds a day. In essence, it’s a more accessible Grand Seiko movement, yet more indication that Seiko’s really upping their game at the lower end of their range.
Not that the King Seiko VANAC “Tokyo Highway” is the lower end. At £3,400, it sits nicely between Seiko and Grand Seiko. King Seiko’s often dubbed the middle child; this is why. But don’t be fooled that it’s a compromise. Between the intense case and more modern, urban look, King Seiko’s very much its own thing and the “Tokyo Highway” trilogy makes it that much more wearable.
Price and Specs:
More details at King Seiko.
