The King Seiko SJE095 takes its dial inspiration from Japan’s national flower
Fergus Nash- The King Seiko SJE095 highlights a chrysanthemum pattern as Japan’s national flower.
- The case is based on the original King Seiko from 1965 with an even thinner profile.
- It’s a limited edition of 600 pieces and will be available from October 2023.
Although its return to market focused mainly on recreating vintage models, King Seiko have begun to embrace traditional Japanese artistry in contemporary executions much like its siblings Seiko and Grand Seiko. With a case based on the original King Seiko release from 1965 but with a thinner profile, the new King Seiko SJE095 takes its dial inspiration from Japan’s national flower and a symbol of Tokyo.
Many would assume that Japan’s floral associations are most strongly tied to the cherry blossom, however it’s actually the chrysanthemum. Printed on passports, engraved into shrines and used as the national seal, the chrysanthemum has been an official symbol of the Imperial Family for 840 years. It represents royalty, rejuvenation and longevity, and is said to have strong ties with Tokyo where the King Seiko brand was created in the 1960s. This specific dial pattern has its roots in edo-kiriko glassware, which enthusiasts of sake should be familiar with. Each of the geometric flowers lead into the formation of another, creating a hypnotic and calming display.
The white dial colour allows the depth of the pattern to show in the shadows, and any amount of light should neatly bring out its expertly-crafted textures. Keeping things classy with a vintage flair are the applied baton indices and dauphine hands in steel, while the Seiko logo is gold toned. Of course, the King Seiko logo is printed below the centre pinion as it was on the original, and the solid caseback depicts a medallion with the King Seiko shield.
The case of the SJE095 is a fairly faithful recreation of the 1965 King Seiko KSK, with bold, faceted lugs jutting out from a circular body. Its mix of brushed and polished surfaces makes it incredibly versatile in formal or casual contexts, and the steel bracelet’s slightly blocky character matches up to the case’s personality well. It has a diameter of 38.6mm, trim lugs stretching to just 45.8mm, and a slenderness of 10.7mm that’s thinner than the original too. Considering they have to pack in an automatic movement with a date wheel and a boxed sapphire crystal, that’s quite the feat.
Powering the SJE095 is the Seiko calibre 6L35. All Seiko movements are produced in-house, but there are several different tiers of quality and performance. The 6L35 is definitely a big improvement on the likes of the 4R35, with a smoother beat rate of 4Hz and magnetic resistance up to 4,800A/m. The power reserve won’t wow anyone at 45 hours, however it makes up for that with an accuracy tolerance within +15/-10 seconds per day.
The King Seiko SJE095 pricing and availability
The King Seiko SJE095 will be available as a limited edition of 600 pieces from select Seiko boutiques and retailers from October 2023. Price: A$5,350
| Brand | King Seiko |
| Model | SJE095 |
| Case Dimensions | 38.6mm (D) x 45.8mm (L2L) x 10.7mmm (H) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | White chrysanthemum pattern |
| Lug Width | 19mm |
| Strap | Steel bracelet |
| Movement | 6L35 |
| Power Reserve | 45 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Limited to 600 pieces, available from October 2023 |
| Price | A$5,350 |