Presage "Urushi" Pwr Rsv Ref. SARW013

In the early 1910s, the Japanese watch manufacturer debuted its first mechanical watch. In continuation of its development, Seiko has launched its automatic calibre in 1950s, along with its own marvel, which is the creation of its shock absorbing system for the movement; known as the "Diashock" system.

Seiko has gone through decades of refinements and developing its mechanical watchmaking skills. This had led to the creation of Seiko's own all-mechanical collection; the Presage. The Presage line consist of Seiko’s leading mechanical watch collection, the calibre 4R, 6R and 8R, and today we introduced to you the latest model; the Presage Urushi Power Reserve SARW013.
 

Seiko Presage "Urushi" Power Reseve Ref. SARW013

Seiko is both a genius watchmaker and master in craftsmanship, not just in reliability and quality of their timepieces, but also in their aesthetics and craftsmanship. Therefore today we will be focusing more on the latter.

Seiko Presage Urushi SARW013 Power Reserve, which like its name, featured a black vitreous lacquered dial, paired together with its gold accent handset and date frame, it allows the watch to be kept in-sync with the universal coolness of ” black and gold” combination.

The watch case measures modestly at 40.5mm with a relatively slim profile of 13.2mm. With a lugs to lugs length of only 47.8mm, making it sit well most of our wrist. It includes a domed sapphire crystal that sits flushed to its polished case, with AR coating on the inner side.
 

Handmade dial by master craftsman Tamura Ichifune

The dial of the SARW013 is where the highlight is. Urushi, Japanse for lacquer, is almost similar to enamel finishing, where it has an unrivaled longevity, making it impermeable to almost anything for many years to come. Like enamel, the urushi dial on the SARW013 will continue to look as new as though it just came out fresh from the manufacturer

This artistry craftsmanship was traditionally known in Japan, and therefore the SARW013 is finished in real deep and lustrous black urushi,which is a natural lacquer obtained from the sap of the Japanese lacquer tree. Produced by local master craftsman known as “Tokinowaza”, commissioned by Seiko.
 

JDM Seiko Calibre, 6R27, Display Back

It was all done individually by hands of master craftsman Tamura Ichifune, who is a resident of Kanazawa. Further, as the complexity of applying lacquer at this level to the dials that bring out the glossiness and deep finishing, the production volume is relatively low at only around 15 made per day.

The roman hour markers are painted on top in white, with the date display and the Seiko logo on top, to be in congruent. The watch is then paired with the genuine alligator strap, elevating it on the elegant side of things, but one can swap out with another for a more casual look.
 

Genuine Alligator Strap with Deployant Clasp

As it is an exclusive JDM in the Presage line, the SARW013 is powered by Seiko's 6R automatic caliber, the 6R27 operates at 28,800 BPH (4 Hertzs) with hacking and hand winding capabilities. It has 29 jewels with a power reserve of 45 hours through a Spron 510 mainspring.

The main difference from the SARX029 is the placements of the additional power reserve indicator and sub date display, located at 9 and 6 o'clock respectively. Both the date subdial and power reserve indicator are deep set into the dial, while leaving each indications unimpeded when viewing. This is a very high level of fine finishing is demonstrated again in this presage model.

With the Presage Urushi SARW013 Seiko have once again showcase their ability to produce an elegant timepiece, packed with traditional Japanese artistry techniques. This dynamic combination also showcases the design discipline behind the Urushi collection. With clean lines and high level polishing with what is considered a unique dial available only to Seiko, this watch has a certain charisma that is not seen in many other watches. If you are in the market for a SARX029 finds it too ordinary, the SARW013 is certainly a watch to consider.