When it comes to movements, King Seiko has some that are fit for royalty.
The King Seiko collection was born in the 1960s as a direct challenge to the chronometer-tested Swiss timepieces. It was meant to be a proof of concept for Japanese mechanical watches, indicating that they are just as good as their Helvetican counterparts. It featured refined finishing, with reliable movements. King Seiko defined luxury that wasn’t delicate and kept moving when other timepieces had to be handled with care.
And now, reintroduced in 2021, the King Seiko is back with a vengeance. Let’s take a look at the history of the movements in the King Seiko line to see what makes it so special.
A Short History of King Seiko Movements
It all starts with the venerable Caliber 54A, which features 25 jewels and manually wound movement, beating at a stellar 18,000 vph. The movement was one of the most robust and reliable movements at that time.
Next the 44KS or Caliber 44A, which introduced the revolutionary hacking seconds mechanism, making for precise movements.
In the late 1960s, you get the highly prized Caliber 4500 Hi-Beat movement with 36,000 vph, beating ten times per second for a spectacular and stable timepiece movement. Then in the 1970s, the Caliber 5245/5246 King Seikos had pieces which were considered “Special” and “Chronometer” grade and were highly sought after by collectors everywhere before the advent of the Quartz revolution. These Seiko heritage movements are prized as some of the best in the horological world.
Now, in the new millennium, the new King Seiko movements enter a new era of luxury. Most King Seiko watches feature workhorse movements like the 6R55. On the higher end of the spectrum, the 6L35 movement which features greater precision and a thinner profile to maintain that classic look that the King Seiko is known for. Finally, the 8L45 is the creme de la creme of the King Seiko mechanical movements, boasting superior accuracy and extended power reserves.
The Best King Seiko You Can Buy
With such great movements, the King Seiko counts as one of the best luxury watches in the Philippines. Let’s take a look at these extraordinary luxury timepieces here.
The King Seiko VANAC SLA093J1
Let’s start with the King Seiko SLA093J1, which is part of the reintroduced VANAC series. The watches in the VANAC series contain classic vintage looks from the 70s. This particular model is the top of the line with a luxurious cognac brown inspired by the Tokyo skyline during “Golden Hour.” You’ll find diamond cut markers to up the ante on the luxury, in a beautifully polished 41.0 mm stainless steel case with a box-shaped sapphire crystal.
But the star of the show is the 8L45 high-end automatic movement. With a precise +10 to -5 seconds per day, this King Seiko has a 28,800 vph resulting in an elegant and smooth 8 beats per second. The 8L45 also features an extended 72 hour power reserve, good for at least 3 days.
The King Seiko SJE109J1
A reinterpretation of one of the legendary KS1969 series, this King Seiko is powered by the 6L35 movement. Known for its accuracy at +15 to -10 seconds per day, it also features a solid 45 hour power reserve. But the engineering of the movement also makes it thinner, fitting nicely on a 39.4mm stainless steel case.
On the watch, an understated silver dial is protected by a box-shaped crystal. Adding to the refinement is a deployment clasp and multilink bracelet combination for maximum comfort and aesthetic appeal.
The King Seiko SJE107J1
Another timepiece from the KS1969 series is the King Seiko SJE107J1. You’ll see a striking purple floral pattern inspired by the wisteria flowers found around the Kameido Tenjin Shrine. This beautiful dial is protected by a gorgeous box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.
But the highlight again is the refined 6L35 movement which emphasizes excellent precision, a robust power reserve, while keeping the timepiece thin. Housed in an elegant 38.6 stainless steel case combined with an in-house King Seiko bracelet, this is a luxury watch that seems to be made for royalty.
Your Next Move Is the King Seiko
The King Seiko is an eclectic mix of luxury, heritage and superior watch engineering. The genius of the timepieces resides in going the extra mile for movements that are refined yet reliable and durable.
You can upgrade your watch collection today with a timepiece that has a royal pedigree. Visit Seiko Philippines today to discover the sophistication behind King Seiko craftsmanship.
With movements that have majesty, the King Seiko is the best watch for you.
