After the success of previous editions, Seiko has released another limited edition Presage timepiece with an enamel dial. This time instead of white enamel, the dial is in my opinion, even more gorgeous, in a midnight blue hue.

With only 1,500 pieces worldwide, distributed to what Seiko refers to as “elite retail partners,” such as Time+Tide in Australia, and at an incredible retail price, act fast they will be gone quickly.

The inspiration for the hour markers of the Presage Blue Enamel Limited Edition come from Seiko’s first pocket watch that dates back to 1895. The crescent-shaped tip of the second hand is in a gold colored powder, which Seiko says, gives it a special texture that resembles the surface of the moon.

According to the manufacture, “The blue enamel dial is the work of the enamel craftsman Mitsuru Yokozawa and his team, who made the white enamel dials that have been so widely admired in other Presage creations. Because the surface of a watch dial is so small and as it is viewed at such close distances, the depth and evenness of the enamel has to be exact. Only by controlling every stage of the process and even adjusting the composition of the enamel in line with atmospheric conditions can a truly perfect dial be created. The creation of every Presage dial is supervised by Yokozawa and every single one is inspected by his experienced eye. With the creation of this new blue dial, he has achieved an even more impressive feat of craftsmanship. As the viscosity of the blue enamel is much higher, the skill required to achieve perfect evenness is all the greater.”

At the heart of the watch is Seiko automatic caliber 6515 which runs at 3Hz, with 23 jewels, and a 50-hour power reserve. The case is made of stainless steel and measures 40.5 mm x 12.4 mm. The steel crown is flared out as with other Presage models. The dial is protected by a dual-curved sapphire crystal, and the caseback has a flat sapphire crystal. Water-resistance is 100 meters.

Interestingly, the hour markers are painted ten times to lift them in relief from the dial and the tips of the hands are curved by skilled craftsmen and women so that they follow the contours of the curved crystals and minimize the depth of the watch. This detail becomes even more impressive when you consider that the US retail price is $1,100. (Ref. SPB069)

Photos by Time+Tide.