Seiko King Seiko 'Garyu-Bai' 37mm Mens Watch

Mappin & Webb £1,560.00 Go to Mappin & Webb First seen in Apr 2023

Description

The “Garyu-bai” plum red dial colour of this timepiece is inspired by the birthplace of the original King Seiko in Kameido, Tokyo, famous for its plum orchards. The “Garyu-bai,” was the most popular plum tree of all, named for its shape, resembling a dragon lying on the ground. This specific tree inspired one of the last masterpieces of the Ukiyoe artist Utagawa Hiroshige: “Plum Garden at Kameido,” later reproduced by Van Gogh in the world famous “Japonaiserie: Flowering Plum Tree.”It is a reinterpretation of the 1965 ‘King Seiko’ KSK series; highly sought-after accurate mechanical watches with a stylish angular profile. In the 1960s, King Seiko timepieces led Seiko Watch Corporation’s developments in world-leading technical precision, along with Grand Seiko. ‘King Seiko’ originated when multiple Seiko factories created different watches to encourage innovation – one of the Japanese watch brand’s constant aims. This version is updated from its original inspiration with a newly developed slim structure combined with a sapphire box glass, for a case depth of 10. 33mm, the slimmest of 6R calibre models. It features a King Seiko crest mark on the crown and case back and the bracelet is inspired by the original 1960s design through a combination of mirror and hairline finishing. The delicately cut three-dimensional indices are beautifully placed on the fine and radiant dial and the 12 o’clock marker is lightly finished by a pattern technique of making just one single surface incision at a time. Its stately, dignified and majestically classic looks remain.