Seiko Presage Chronograph SRQ019J1

If you like classical watches, the Seiko Presage Chronograph SRQ019J1 is an amazing find. A grand feu (kiln-fired) enamel dial, beautiful dial markings, absolute clarity and legibility, crocodile strap… But the best part is inside, with a movement designed and built by Seiko, with column-wheel chronograph control, and a vertical clutch. The most prestigious type of chronograph mechanism, for €2,500, 2,800 Swiss francs. Remarkable, particularly considering that it’s a 1,000-piece limited edition. It’s available from Seiko retailers worldwide from September 2016.

Seiko Presage Chronograph SRQ019J1

Seiko Laurel, 1913

Seiko Laurel, 1913

It’s an anniversary piece, celebrating 60 years from Seiko’s first automatic watch. Its appearance is based on Seiko’s 1913 Laurel, the brand’s first wristwatch. It’s the enamel that sets the scene, a flat bed of perfect white that nonetheless curves gently to create the subdials and the date window. It’s a voluptuous set of complex curves. The enamelling is performed traditionally under the supervision of master craftsman Mitsuru Yokozawa. It will retain its wonderful shade of white for as long as the Laurel itself has done.

The Arabic numbers are beautiful, with a note of colour provided by the red 12. The subdials show 30 chronograph minutes, 12 chronograph hours, and continuous seconds. The hands are graceful and the different shapes add extra interest. The counterweight of the chronograph seconds hand exactly frames the pivot of the lower subdial, a touch that adds a sense of design neatness.
Seiko Presage Chronograph SRQ019J1

The case is 42 mm in diameter, 15.2 mm thick, in stainless steel, with a 10 bar/100 metre water resistance rating. It has a crocodile strap. Inside, the 8R48 chronograph movement has a formidable armament of Seiko’s proprietary technology, such as the Diashock system protecting the balance pivot from shock, the “Magic Lever” that increases the rotor’s winding efficiency, the three-pointed hammer for instant chronograph reset, and the Spron alloy used for balance spring and mainspring. You don’t see much of the movement through the sapphire caseback, just the gold oscillating weight, and the steel bridges. The column wheel and the chronograph levers are on the dial side of the movement.

seiko_presage_mvt-750

Seiko’s Presage collection has, up until this year, been available only in Japan and a few other countries. In 2016, Presage has been launched world-wide. The Presage Chronograph SRQ019J1 has been entered for the GPHG watch competition, in the Petite Aiguille section for watches costing under 8,000 Swiss francs. Its competitors are Slim d’Hermès (6,400 Swiss francs), the Tiffany East West Automatic (5,100 Swiss francs), the Tudor Black Bay Bronze (3,800 Swiss francs), the Vulcain 50s Presidents’ Watch Tradition (6,150 Swiss francs), and the Zenith Pilot Ton-Up chronograph (7,400 Swiss francs). It’s interesting that all of them except Slim d’Hermès have designs that look back to decades ago. In terms of value for money, there’s no doubt who would get my vote.

GPHG competition

Watches in the Petite Aiguille category of the GPHG competition, image from the GPHG website

The Seiko Presage Chronograph is also available in a version with black dial and silver printed numerals. This dial is made using another traditional technique, Urushi lacquer, applied by hand using natural Urushi lacquer, each layer patiently polished before applying the next. The price of this version, SRQ021J1, is €2,800. Like the white enamel version, this is a limited edition of 1,000. More information from the Seiko Presage website.

Seiko Presage black

2 thoughts on “Seiko Presage Chronograph SRQ019J1

  1. Dear madam/Sir
    Kindly advise your best price for this model of seiko pilot watch and your lead time for 100 pieces
    Best Regards
    asad

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