Seiko unveils its Edo Purple collection for its 145th anniversary, from €450
Three colours, three waves, one ambition: to mark the 145th anniversary of the Japanese watchmaker in style. After gold in February and blue in May, Seiko is set to launch a collection in October entirely dedicated to purple, a shade steeped in history and deeply rooted in Tokyo’s culture.
Edo purple, a colour that tells the story of Tokyo
This chromatic choice is far from arbitrary. Purple has been traditionally associated with Japan’s capital since the Edo period, which ran from 1603 to 1868. Edo is, of course, the former name of Tokyo. The specific shade chosen, known as Edo-murasaki, was particularly popular in the clothing of that era. By placing this colour at the heart of its anniversary collection, the brand draws a direct line between its present and several centuries of Japanese cultural heritage.
The collection, named Edo Purple, brings together five distinct models, each drawn from an iconic line. Every watch interprets this purple in its own way, in keeping with the identity of the range it belongs to. All feature a transparent case back engraved with the words Limited Edition.
Five watches, five personalities, priced between €450 and €3,000
The range covers a broad spectrum, both in terms of style and budget. Here are the five references that make up the collection:
- Seiko 5 Sports SKX Edo Purple: 42.5 mm stainless steel case, 4R36 calibre, water-resistant to 10 bar, three-link steel bracelet, 9,999 pieces at around €450.
- Presage Cocktail Time GMT Edo Purple: 40.5 mm case, 4R34 calibre, radial dial inspired by the Edo Murasaki cocktail created by Hisashi Kishi of STAR BAR in Tokyo, 6,000 pieces at around €620.
- Prospex Speedtimer Edo Purple: solar chronograph with a vintage 1960s design, 41.4 mm case, V192 calibre, two-tone aluminium bezel, 8,000 pieces at around €600.
- Prospex Alpinist Edo Purple: heir to the Laurel Alpinist of 1959, 39.5 mm case, 6R55 calibre, 72-hour power reserve, water-resistant to 20 bar, leather strap, 7,000 pieces at around €980.
- Astron Edo Purple: solar GPS in titanium, 43.3 mm case, titanium and ceramic bezel, 5X83 calibre, 6-month power reserve, 2,000 pieces at around €3,000.
References rooted in the brand’s history
Each model selected for this collection carries its own story. The Prospex Alpinist descends directly from Seiko’s first sports watch, the Laurel Alpinist of 1959. The Speedtimer, meanwhile, draws on the iconic design of the brand’s chronographs from the 1960s. These lineages are more than mere nods to the past, they anchor the collection in a genuine continuity between then and now.
With the Presage Cocktail Time GMT, the connection to Tokyo is even more direct. Its radial-patterned dial pays tribute to a cocktail called Edo Murasaki, created in collaboration with Hisashi Kishi, owner of STAR BAR in Tokyo. Gold hands and a gold logo round off the look with a touch of elegance. The 5 Sports SKX, for its part, features a gold Seiko 5 Sports logo that the brand says evokes the bright future ahead of the house.
Limited editions to watch out for from October
Production runs are strictly controlled. The Astron is the rarest, with just 2,000 pieces, while the 5 Sports SKX is the most widely available at 9,999 units. In between, the Presage, the Alpinist and the Speedtimer sit in the 6,000 to 8,000 range. These figures, combined with the anniversary nature of the collection, make them pieces well worth keeping an eye on for fans of the brand.
The launch is scheduled for October, and all technical details are already confirmed. For collectors and curious newcomers alike, this third wave of Seiko’s 145th anniversary celebrations offers a compelling range of options, from an accessible sports model to a high-end GPS timepiece.
