King Seiko VANAC Limited Edition - Seiko 145th Anniversary

Seiko marks 145 years with a new King Seiko VANAC model featuring a striking silver-white and blue dial.

In 1881, Kintaro Hattori opened a shop known as “K. Hattori” in Tokyo’s Ginza district, beginning what would evolve into today’s Seiko. Guided by a philosophy to be “Always one step ahead of the rest,” he went on to produce Japan’s first wristwatch in 1913.

Building on its founding spirit, Seiko experienced a period of rapid transformation and innovation in the 1960s. During this decade, the company introduced numerous breakthroughs, including Japan’s first chronograph wristwatch in 1964, its first diver’s watch in 1965, and the world’s first quartz wristwatch in 1969. The decade also saw the introduction of Seiko Blue, a signature color, refined over time and reflecting Seiko’s pioneering spirit.

Alongside these notable achievements of the 1960s, the King Seiko collection was born in 1961. From its debut, the collection distinguished itself through a harmonious balance of high-end performance and forward-looking design. Relaunched in 2022, King Seiko now represents the fusion of cutting-edge watchmaking technology with the timeless brilliance of the original.

Introduced in the 1970s, the King Seiko VANAC was a series with bold expressions of vibrant colors and innovative, multifaceted designs. Last year, the VANAC series returned to the King Seiko collection with a sporty aesthetic, preserving the spirit of the original while adopting a new automatic movement. Today, a new limited-edition VANAC model is introduced, distinguished by blue accents that pay tribute to Seiko Blue.

The contrast of silver-white and blue for a refreshing and refined look

Inspired by the original VANAC’s bold bezel design, the ring embedded in the dial stands as a defining feature of the series. In this model, it is rendered in a vivid blue that heightens its contrast with the silver-white dial. Lumibrite is applied to the indexes, enhancing legibility while accentuating the interplay with the blue color surrounding them, and all three of the watch’s hands are rendered in a striking, lustrous shade of blue.

Inspired by the horizon that unfolds across Tokyo, the birthplace of King Seiko

Crafted from stainless steel, the watch’s case has a reassuring and substantial feel on the wrist. The case design is inspired by the vast Tokyo metropolis, which extends endlessly into the horizon. Though the VANAC has a strong and dynamic angularity, its bezel-less design creates an elegant appearance. The bracelet features a combination of links with mirror and brushed finishing, ensuring comfort on the wrist and an unmistakable air of sophistication. The dial has a horizontal stripe pattern, while the 12 o’clock index and the counterweight on the seconds hand display a striking “V” silhouette, indicating the first letter of the VANAC name.

Seiko’s premier mechanical movement, Caliber 8L45, offers a power reserve of approximately 72 hours and an accuracy of +10 to -5 seconds per day. Beyond its precision, this movement has been engineered for the robustness and other qualities demanded of movements that power modern-day mechanical sports watches. The oscillating weight and bridges are finished with a refined wave pattern, visible through the sapphire crystal case back, adding a touch of understated elegance.

This new King Seiko VANAC model will be available from July 2026 as a limited edition of 800 at the Seiko Boutiques and select retail partners worldwide.