Seiko celebrates its 145th anniversary with a touch of gold across four different watch collections
Jamie Weiss- Seiko kickstarts its 145th anniversary celebrations in 2026 with four limited editions with gold-coloured accents.
- These accents pay homage to Seiko founder Kintaro Hattori’s practice of engraving his timepieces with an intricate pattern in order to increase their appeal.
- Four of Seiko’s most popular collections are represented: King Seiko, Prospex, Astron and Presage.
Seiko has come a long way in 145 years, from its genesis as a Ginza watch shop selling imported European pocket watches to becoming one of the world’s most influential and innovative watchmakers throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. To mark this milestone and kick off what’s no doubt going to be a big year of releases, Seiko has released four limited editions across its King Seiko, Prospex, Presage and Astron families, each carrying gold-coloured accents that trace back to the intricate engraved patterns Seiko founder Kintaro Hattori applied to his earliest products.
King Seiko SJE121
Starting with the most expensive but most elegant of the quartet, the King Seiko KS1969 series gains a new member with the SJE121, which boasts a grey dial with radial gradation that darkens toward the periphery, resembling dense guilloché. This pattern — lifted from Kintaro’s pocket watch engravings — creates depth through texture, while gold-coloured hands, indexes and lettering provide the commemorative flourish without tipping into ostentation. For me, this is the highlight of the four LEs.
Its case, at 38.1mm, mirrors the slim proportions favoured during King Seiko’s original run in the 1960s. The densely packed multi-row bracelet alternates between mirror polishing and brushed finishing, a technique that enhances wearability by distributing weight and visual interest. Powering the watch is the calibre 6L35, a slimline automatic movement with a 45-hour power reserve and a 28,800 vph frequency. Case thickness sits at 11mm, aided by the movement’s reduced profile and a centre of gravity designed to sit close to the wrist, and offers 50m of water resistance.
| Brand | King Seiko |
| Model | KS1969 145th Anniversary Limited Edition |
| Reference Number | SJE121 |
| Case Dimensions | 39.4mm (D) x 9.9mm (T) x 43.6mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Weight | 126 g (with bracelet) |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Grey with radial pattern and gold accents |
| Lug Width | 19mm |
| Strap | Multi-link bracelet, butterfly clasp |
| Movement | 6L35, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 45 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Limited edition of 800 pieces |
| Price | A$4,650 |
Prospex Speedtimer SRQ059
Last year, we saw very sporty expressions join the Speedtimer range, such as the dual-crowned SPB513 and a trio of Datsun 240Z limited editions. Now, in 2026, we’re seeing a more elegant take on the Speedtimer with the SRQ059. Its white dial features a similar engraved pattern to the King Seiko SJE121, as well as gold-toned hands and indices. A visually interesting bracelet with thin intermediary links adds to its dressy vibe, while its case benefits from Seiko’s Diashield super-hard coating for durability.
Under the hood beats the calibre 8R48, a mechanical movement that employs a vertical clutch and column wheel for smooth chronograph actuation plus a MEMS-manufactured escapement. It also offers a 45-hour power reserve at 28,800vph plus a 100m water resistance rating.
| Brand | Seiko |
| Model | Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph 145th Anniversary Limited Edition |
| Reference Number | SRQ059 |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 14.6mm (T) x 49.5mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel with Diashield super-hard coating |
| Weight | 183 g (with bracelet) |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | White with gold accents |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Seven-link bracelet, deployant clasp |
| Movement | 8R48, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 45 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, running seconds, date, chronograph |
| Availability | Limited edition of 700 pieces |
| Price | A$3,900 |
Presage SPB538
This Presage model references the Timekeeper type 17, the first pocket watch produced by Seiko in 1895, which is characterised by its onion crown, dimensional bezel detailing, and smooth enamel dial – a strong first swing at bat. The SPB538 translates those design cues into a 35mm wristwatch that reads as vintage-inspired without sacrificing modern wearability.
The white enamel dial, marked with slender Roman numerals, offers high legibility; the box-shaped sapphire crystal adds depth and period correctness, while the dimensional bezel echoes the silhouette of its historical inspiration. Movable lugs and a pull-through leather bund-esque strap sourced from Leather Working Group-certified tanneries complete the package. Inside, the calibre 6R51 delivers 72 hours of power reserve at 21,600vph.
| Brand | Seiko |
| Model | Presage Classic 145th Anniversary Limited Edition |
| Reference Number | SPB538 |
| Case Dimensions | 35mm (D) x 12.6mm (T) |
| Case Material | Gold PVD stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | White enamel |
| Strap | Leather pull-through strap, pin buckle |
| Movement | 6R51, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Limited edition of 1,450 pieces |
| Price | A$3,000 |
Astron SSH186
I wonder what Kintaro Hattori would make of a GPS solar dual time chronograph like the Astron SSH186 if it were brought 145 years back in time… He might find the technology bewildering, but its rich black and gold colour scheme might be somewhat familiar, being evocative of high-end Japanese lacquerware, at least to my eyes. The dial, case and integrated bracelet all incorporate gold tones, but the standout feature is the gold-coloured sapphire crystal insert on the bezel — a detail that adds both depth and dimension to the watch’s profile. Subtle touches abound, including gold-coloured markings at 1, 4, and 5 on the UTC scale, a nod to “145.”
The titanium case and bracelet feature black Diashield coatings, with the bezel combining titanium and that aforementioned sapphire crystal insert. Diameter is 44.1mm, thickness 14.4mm, with 100m water resistance and magnetic resistance to 4,800 A/m. A dual-curved sapphire crystal with super-clear coating sits up front, and an easy-adjust three-fold clasp manages wrist sizing on the fly.
The Calibre 5X83 powers the SSH186, automatically connecting to GPS satellites up to twice daily when exposed to sunlight, adjusting time and time zone without manual input. The watch supports 38 time zones with automatic DST adjustment and high-speed time zone switching. A perpetual calendar functions correctly until 2100, while the chronograph offers 1/20th-second precision with a 12-hour counter. Its power reserve sits at approximately 6 months when fully charged, extending to 2 years in power-saving mode. Accuracy, when not receiving GPS signals, is +/-15 seconds per month between 5°C and 35°C – pretty impressive.
| Brand | Seiko |
| Model | Astron Dual Time Chronograph 145th Anniversary Limited Edition |
| Reference Number | SSH186 |
| Case Dimensions | 43mm (D) x 13.4mm (T) x 49.5mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Titanium with black Diashield super-hard coating |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Black with gold accents |
| Lug Width | Integrated |
| Strap | Three-link titanium bracelet, deployant clasp |
| Movement | 5X83, in-house, GPS Solar quartz |
| Battery Life | 6 months (2 years in power-saving mode) |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, GPS timekeeping, perpetual calendar, power reserve indicator, chronograph, dual time |
| Availability | Limited edition of 1,450 pieces |
| Price | A$5,200 |
Seiko 145th Anniversary Limited Editions pricing and availability
These four 145th anniversary Seiko models are available for order now directly from Seiko, with dispatch scheduled for February/March 2026. All four are individually numbered limited editions: the Astron and Presage are limited to 1,450 pieces, while the King Seiko and Prospex Speedtimer are more limited at 800 and 700 pieces, respectively. Price: A$3,000 (Presage SPB538), A$3,900 (Prospex Speedtimer SRQ059), A$4,650 (King Seiko SJE121), A$5,200 (Astron SSH186)