It was way back in 1956 when Seiko released their very first self-winding mechanical watch, the Seiko Automatic. This year, the outfit celebrates that milestone with the Seiko Presage SARW027, a dress watch based on the groundbreaking original from 1956.
To those unfamiliar with the Presage, it’s, basically, the middle ground between the outfit’s affordable timepieces and their high-end Grand Seiko line. This one, though, is on the high-end of that middle ground, having been made in the same workshop where the actual Grand Seikos are produced, so it’s as premium as a Presage can get.
The Seiko Presage SARW027 has a dial based on the Seiko Automatic, sporting the same gold hands, gold hour indices, and power reserve indicator. It has a 40.5mm case that’s just right for a dressier timepiece, with a stainless steel construction offering 10 bars of water resistance. Under the hood, it uses the Seiko 6R27 automatic movement, which comes with 29 jewels, additional hand-winding, and 45 hours of power reserve.
Features include a dual-curved sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating on the inner surface, magnetic resistance, and a crocodile leather band. You can see part of that movement, by the way, through the transparent case back, which comes with the words “LIMITED EDITION” and the serial number engraved on it.
Only 1,956 examples of the Seiko Presage SARW027 will be made. Price is just over $1,000.