Seiko Unveils Two 145th Anniversary Presage Limited Editions

Seiko has unveiled two new Presage 145th Anniversary Limited Edition watches, expanding its Classic Series with distinct interpretations of the brand's signature blue and white color palette. The HCC004 and HCC007 models represent different approaches to Japanese craftsmanship, one drawing from refined silk textures and the other from traditional Arita porcelain techniques.

The announcement comes from Seiko's official press release, which details the specifications and production constraints for both timepieces. These are not incremental updates but commemorative releases tied to the company's founding in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori in Tokyo's Ginza district.

The HCC004 features a white dial inspired by shironeri, the immaculate white achieved when silk threads are refined to remove their natural yellow tones. The 36mm stainless steel case has a 12.5mm thickness, with vertically brushed lugs and a coin-edge decorated bezel that adds retro character. Dark blue baton indexes and curved hands create contrast against the radial, etched silk-like patterning on the dial face.

This model achieves 10 bar water resistance, making it suitable for everyday wear beyond formal occasions. The dual-curved sapphire crystal protects the face while maintaining optical clarity. A dark blue leather strap with minimal stitching completes the dress watch aesthetic, sourced from Leather Working Group-certified tanneries.

The HCC007 takes a more ambitious approach with an Arita porcelain dial in cobalt blue, described as the deepest Arita glaze ever achieved by Seiko Presage. The 39.6mm case sits at 12.8mm thickness with a smooth, polished bezel that feels more relaxed than its smaller counterpart. The textured porcelain face features a radial pattern at its center, slightly recessed to enhance the depth of the enamel process.

Creating each dial required extensive refinement under the supervision of Arita porcelain master craftsman Hiroyuki Hashiguchi. Toshiaki Kawaguchi and his team at a historic Arita manufacturer with roots dating back to 1830 handle the meticulous production. The porcelain used is specially formulated to be more than four times stronger than traditional porcelain, a necessity for watch durability.

Both watches use the automatic Caliber 6R51 movement, offering a 72-hour power reserve and accuracy within -15/+25 seconds per day. The movement features 24 jewels and operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour. Manual winding capabilities are included, and the see-through screw case back allows viewing of the mechanical components.

Production numbers reflect the different complexity levels: the HCC004 is limited to 2,500 pieces worldwide, while the HCC007 porcelain model is restricted to 1,500 units. The smaller white-dial model releases in June 2026 at $1,000 in the US and €1,050 in Europe. The blue porcelain variant arrives later, in July 2026 for European markets and September 2026 in the US, priced at $1,700 and €1,800 respectively.

Water resistance differs significantly between the two. The HCC004's 10 bar rating allows for swimming and showering without concern. The HCC007, with its delicate porcelain dial, is only splash resistant at 3 bar. This is a practical consideration for buyers who want a dress watch that can handle daily life without constant vigilance (a problem that has plagued users for years, frankly).

Independent coverage from Notebookcheck confirms the pricing and availability details across regions. The staggered release schedule suggests Seiko is managing production capacity carefully, particularly for the more complex porcelain dial.

The physical experience of these watches differs notably. The HCC004's 36mm case aligns with mid-20th-century dress watch sizing, sitting closer to the wrist with a more classical presence. The HCC007's 39.6mm diameter fits contemporary preferences better, though the porcelain dial adds weight that changes how the watch feels on the wrist compared to standard metal dials.

Both models feature leather straps with three-fold clasps and push-button release mechanisms. The leather texture and blue stitching are consistent across both, creating visual cohesion despite the different dial treatments. The strap attachment uses standard spring bars, allowing for aftermarket replacements if desired.

Seiko's 145th anniversary commemorates a company that introduced Japan's first wristwatch in 1913, its first chronograph in 1964, and the world's first quartz wristwatch in 1969. The Seiko Blue color itself dates to the 1960s, refined over time to reflect the brand's pioneering spirit. These limited editions tie that heritage to modern manufacturing capabilities.

Whether collectors will pay the premium for the porcelain variant remains the real question, especially given the water resistance trade-off. The silk-inspired model offers better practicality at a lower price point, which may appeal to buyers who want anniversary provenance without the fragility concerns. Time will tell which version becomes the more sought-after piece in the secondary market.

Artūras Malašauskas is an AI Systems Integrator with 20+ years of production-grade web engineering experience. He has designed, shipped, and scaled enterprise Python/PHP systems for logistics, SaaS, and public-sector clients. For the past year, he has focused exclusively on AI integrations: deploying open-source LLMs, building generative media pipelines (image, audio, video), and engineering multi-agent workflows for real production environments. His standard: reproducibility, security, cost-efficient inference—no vaporware. He documents and evaluates emerging AI tooling, separating verified capabilities from marketing noise. Technical editor at: muza-ai.eu, ai-verslas.lt, ai-naujinos.lt Connect on LinkedIn