A Legacy Reborn: King Seiko
The King Seiko represents the rich heritage of Japanese watchmaking. Originally launched in the 1960s, King Seiko pursued high precision, refined finishing, and elevated styling. These goals were celebrated, making the brand a renowned household name in the horological landscape and standing as a symbol of Japanese watchmaking, showcasing its capability to create luxury watches that could compete with a Swiss-saturated market while still maintaining the desired functionality and artistry.
Fast forward to today, King Seiko has made a modern comeback, offering timepieces that remain true to their roots while evolving with the contemporary needs of collectors and enthusiasts. These are considered entry-level luxury watches, making them highly accessible for enthusiasts who want craftsmanship, history, and design pedigree in one package at attainable price points.
Today, we’ll explore three standout models from the modern King Seiko revival: the SLA087J1 from the most recent King Seiko VANAC collection, the SPB459J1 from the KSK line, and the KS1969 SJE113J1. Each of these King Seiko pieces showcases different inspirations and updated style and performance choices that make them worthy of a spot in any collection.
King Seiko Vanac SLA087: A Bold Tribute to the 1970s Classic
The King Seiko Vanac SLA087J1 is a modern revival of one of Seiko’s boldest, adventurous, and most unconventional designs from the 1970s. The original Vanac watches had vibrant dials, highly geometric case shapes, and bold aesthetic choices that pushed the boundaries of watch design at that time. The new King Seiko Vanac line, including the SLA087J1, preserves that spirit while giving it a modern refresh.
The dial of the SLA087J1 is inspired by the sunrise over the Tokyo skyline, similar to the rest of the new King Seiko Vanac pieces, which feature dials inspired by different hues and phases of the Tokyo skyline. This piece captures the dynamic transition from sunrise to sunset, giving the more vibrance and depth. The “V” motif, visible on the 12 o’clock marker and seconds hand, is a design choice that subtly showcases the Vanac motif and elements of the watch.
The SLA087 is powered by the Caliber 8L45, one of Seiko’s flagship automatic movements, which offers a 72-hour power reserve and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) for a smooth hand sweep. The geometric 41mm stainless case features high-polish surfaces for distortion-free finishing. The watch boasts a respectable 100m of water resistance, a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, and, for the first time, a sapphire crystal exhibition caseback that allows for a clear view of the meticulous details of the 8L45 movement.
The King Seiko Vanac SLA087J1 is an understated timepiece at a glance, but it has a bold wrist presence when viewed closely. The vintage-inspired aesthetic and updated movement showcase King Seiko’s continuing pursuit of blending bold stylings with technical prowess.
King Seiko KSK SPB459: Timeless Elegance Reimagined
The KSK SPB459J1 is a nod to the original King Seiko KSK models of the mid-1960s, which set the standard for King Seiko’s signature design language, characterized by a clean, angular, and sharply defined aesthetic. The modern SPB459J1 revives the KSK heritage with subtle updates, making it perfectly suited for today.
Much like other modern King Seikos, the SPB459 keeps the essence of the original KSK design, albeit with bolder aesthetic choices. The dial is a striking ivy green with a subtle sunburst finish. This color is inspired by Japan’s embrace of Ivy League fashion during the postwar years. This “Ivy Style” color choice is also seen in other newer KSK timepieces. The elegance of this color connects the watch to an era in Japanese history when style, refinement, and individuality were becoming integral to Japanese urban life.
The compact 36.1mm stainless steel case stays true to King Seiko’s DNA, featuring flat planes with matte and Zaratsu-polished surfaces for added visual interest. The applied rectangular indices and Dauphine hands are also finely finished and now feature LumiBrite for improved legibility in darker conditions.
The SPB459 features Seiko’s Caliber 6R51, a thinner, no-date movement with a 72-hour power reserve. Topping off the case is a box-shaped sapphire crystal and 100m of water resistance.
The SPB459J1 is a versatile piece that captures the understated elegance of King Seiko. It is an attainable piece of luxury, especially since it’s not a limited-edition King Seiko, making it more appealing to collectors or those looking to have their first luxury watch. The timeless proportions and design of the SPB459 are a welcome addition to any wrist.
King Seiko KS1969 SJE113: The Comeback of a Modern Dress Watch Classic
Finishing off our list is the KS1969 SJE113. This piece from King Seiko pays homage to the original 1969 King Seiko 45KCM. The iconic tonneau-shaped case became one of King Seiko’s most distinctive designs. The SJE113 is a refined version of the original 45KCM, now having updated proportions for contemporary collectors who love subtle sophistication.
The SJE113J1 has a delicately textured dial in rich green, a color inspired by washi paper, a traditional Japanese craft. The gradient finish of the dial darkens as it expands to the minute track, making the white-on-black date wheel stand out even more.
The case is only 39.4mm in diameter and has a slim 9.9mm thickness, thanks to the thin Caliber 6L35 movement, allowing the SJE113 to wear comfortably under any cuff. Given its compact profile, the movement still boasts a 45-hour power reserve and beats at 28,800 vph for enhanced precision and reliability. The SJE113’s remaining features include a box-shaped sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, which is a welcome upgrade to a modern classic dress watch, and 50m of water resistance (5 bar).
Unlike the previously mentioned King Seiko timepieces, which featured modern exhibition casebacks, the KS1969 instead opted for the classic King Seiko caseback, which showcases the classic King Seiko shield emblem.
The SJE113J1 captures King Seiko’s dress watch heritage. It combines traditional Japanese aesthetic and design with modern refinements, from the finishing to the engineering, and packages it into a modern classic timepiece. The SJE113 is unique enough to be a statement piece, yet understated enough to be worn every day.
The King Seiko Revival: A Long Time Coming
The modern King Seiko revival is more than just a nostalgic tribute. These different collections all pay homage to the rich and technical heritage of King Seiko, yet given their modern features, they still keep the essence of these classic silhouettes. From the bold King Seiko Vanac to the classic KSK and KS1969 lines, King Seiko has something for everyone when it comes to attainable luxury without compromising on quality and history.
