Seiko: 2023 Shippo enamel production process (Not Grand Seiko)

Watch_Addict

Very impressive process. The dial is used in this Seiko Presage watch : SPB399J1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbNwJwlK3F4&t=1s

The dial reminds me of some of the deep blue Grand Seiko and the gold colored GS at the 12 o'clock position. I do not know the movement but it is not up to GS precision (+25 to -15 seconds per day).

Has anyone seen the SPB399J1 in person ?

Does it have a pronounced blue sunburst ?

#grandseiko #seiko #general
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Fieldwalker
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I tried the three hander last time I visited Japan.

Looks dark blue in dim light and brilliant sunray in better light

I’m less jaded than the above poster on origin of dial - enamel dials are always done by hand (as far as I know) and it’s not a cheap watch. I can probably track down the studio that makes it next time I visit.

The one I tried on was about 3k and used the 6L35 , which is a high end (but more unfinished) credor movement (they usually run +\~ about a second)

My Kurono is a hand painted and fired many times over and then thumb polished urushi dial (about a 3k watch) and I know the Kyoto urushi studio that made it.

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In Japan there is a lot of artists that continue to make traditional crafts like swords, enamel, kimono silk, bows, leather … etc..

One of my friends there is a traditional longbow maker 🤯

Watch_Addict
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Thank you for the response. They are making 800 pieces worldwide so it is not a large quantity to fabricate manually. I did have a look at the white Arita porcelain dials last time I was in Asia but it was not something that I would acquire. Your green dial is very nice and also has a exceptional sun burst.

I may have the opportunity to make a stop in Japan next spring for a few days. I have always wanted to stop in Kyoto for the city itself but I have changed my mind recently to stop in Tokyo instead since I was lead to believe that this would be the best place to shop for watches. Kyoto I guess would be more focus on "micro brands" but leaning more toward unique timepieces ?

Is my assessment correct?

Fieldwalker
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Watch_Addict

Thank you for the response. They are making 800 pieces worldwide so it is not a large quantity to fabricate manually. I did have a look at the white Arita porcelain dials last time I was in Asia but it was not something that I would acquire. Your green dial is very nice and also has a exceptional sun burst.

I may have the opportunity to make a stop in Japan next spring for a few days. I have always wanted to stop in Kyoto for the city itself but I have changed my mind recently to stop in Tokyo instead since I was lead to believe that this would be the best place to shop for watches. Kyoto I guess would be more focus on "micro brands" but leaning more toward unique timepieces ?

Is my assessment correct?

Tokyo is watch paradise for brands big and small. So many ADs, gray dealers, antique watch dealers.. etc.

Ginza and Nakano Broadway are the places that are must visit. But lovely little shops are down almost every alley. My last watch came from a tiny gray dealer called Luminous in an alley near Ginza

Aoyama (a nice suburb in Tokyo) has the little Kurono Studio where you can see some samples and talk to the nice girls that work there.

BTW - use ‘reply’ if answering so I get a notice of it 👍