Last week, Seiko introduced their 145th Anniversary collection with a series of Presage and Prospex models in striking blue and white colour schemes. Arriving fashionably late to the birthday celebrations is King Seiko with the new 145th Anniversary VANAC Limited Edition in White (yes, ‘in White’ is part of the official name). King Seiko was originally a sub-brand under the Seiko umbrella founded in 1961, but today the name is used for Seiko’s high-end collection inspired by that heritage sub-brand, which is why the new watch is celebrating the Seiko 145th anniversary rather than the King Seiko 65th anniversary.
Starting with the case, it’s the standard VANAC design that we’ve seen a handful of times now, including earlier this year with the Tokyo Highway series. It’s made from steel with a 41mm diameter and a 14.3mm thickness, which makes it chunkier than you might expect. However, those larger proportions work in the context of it being Seiko’s answer to the integrated bracelet sports-chic trend – both in the 70s during the original King Seiko era and today.
The integrated bracelet itself is comfortable on the wrist with a three-link construction. It blends in nicely to the case with its sharply facetted lugs and alternating brushed and polished surfaces. The polishing on the wide, curving flanks of the watch that arc from lug-to-lug help keep the watch from feeling too much like an industrial tool watch, working well in conjunction with the dial.
Speaking of, the dial of the 145th Anniversary VANAC Limited Edition in White is – and this may shock you – white. Specifically, the central disk of the display with its horizontal gadroon pattern is white, surrounded by a blue hour scale in the same shade seen on the other anniversary models. Blue is one of Seiko’s signature colours, seen in places like their boutiques. The display features central hours, minutes and seconds with a date window at 3 o’clock for some added utility. One of the details you can really appreciate in the metal that might not be so obvious in pictures is the silver rim around the edge of the hour scale.
Inside the watch and visible through the exhibition caseback is 8L45 automatic movement. It’s Seiko’s high-spec 72-hour power reserve, -5/+10 seconds per day accuracy calibre based on the Grand Seiko 9S65. It’s decorated with striped finishing across both its rotor and plate. That does make it the most exclusive of the anniversary models at £2,900 in an edition of 800 pieces.
Price and Specs:
More details at King Seiko.
