Did an impulse purchase but still have time to think🙃

Ahh. To be frank I think you ended up with the best model. I’m sure there are other brands with porcelain dials but that SPB 397 is stunning. Wouldn’t even consider the GMT.

Ohhh I want the blue and the cream one!! Where did you purchase this?

Oops I just saw pictures didn’t really read your post ok!! I thought you got first dibs on them 😂… I have to send these to my AD and see if he can get me both!! You want in on it? I’ll let you know if he can get 2 of the Shippo

I'd be all over the cream dial...

I'm getting the normal MM200 sometime soon, just was curious to see the GMT in person cause the green version looked great in photos.

I can't wait to the see the watch in person 🙂

I've always thought these and other similar limited editions esp. with lacquer and porcelain are quite beautiful but the dimensions confused the hell out of me given the style. That said, I guess this is sort of a Seiko (and Grand Seiko) characteristic. Huge fan of both, but I wish these particular models were a bit smaller since they do have this vintage quality about them.

The cream dial variant is limited to 1500 pieces so my AD has a larger allotment for the model.

The blue shipo enamel dial is coming in a limited number, but my AD said he will keep me on list incase someone gives up an allotment. Thanks for the offer 🙂

Seiko makes a shipo dial Presage SJE079 but it costs $3800. This model in comparison is only $2050 retail.

The other two models in the lineup. The white one with enamel dial and the red with Urushi.

Exactly that waas the reason for my impulse buy 😂😂

They make 35mm, 39mm and 41mm versions of these special dial models. These dials are also thicker than standard dials, so the thickness gets a good bump, especially for automatic versions.

Seiko is introducing newer cases with these models and probably we may see smaller versions making it into this craftmanship lineup, but most of the models will be limited considering the dials are handmade and hand painted.

When I was looking for porcelain dials a few months ago, only Atelier Wen and Seiko were making realistically attainable watches (shoutout Credor Eichi II). It looks like that Melbourne one above is ceramic, not porcelain. Plenty of porcelain dial pocket watches out there though.

Ahh, that's good to hear. Some of the earlier models that looks similar only came in one size.

I’ve given Seikos with the Arita dials as gifts, they are really beautiful watches. I don’t know if I’d look for another. However, I do think Atelier Wen has some <$1k models in porcelain, but I’ve never handled one.

Regarding the Portsea…you are right, it is ceramic. My bad! I have deleted the post. Must be getting old… No, wait…I AM old.😕

Cheers, mate🥂

It happens! Enamel, flinqué, grand feu, ceramic, lacquer, porcelain… there’s too many to remember and too easy to mix up

Apart from Seiko, I have only seen them in very high end Vacherons, A. Lange & Sohne and Credor plus from a few micro artist watchmaker brands.

The Atelier Wen was $800 and was sold in very limited numbers.

I agree they are rare, I didn’t know the AW was sold in limited numbers. I think it’s hard to complete with the Seikos for the dials.

Arita porcelain is the bomb.

High end. hand made, traditional

Yeah. I have the normal one, looks exactly like the GMT. Should go nice with your Presage GMT, 62 MAS, and that awesome limited edition. Gonna see if my AD has a SPB 397. That’s is so nice.

Porcelain dial? Wow, it's so pretty that I can almost ignore the Roman numerals.

I have been eyeing the SPB299 save the ocean edition. Want to complete my Seiko diver collection so adding the MM200 and the Willard together 😅

The SPB397 should definitely be available at Seiko AD at least for pre-order, the delivery starts by end of June from what my AD told me.

Yes, the dial is handmade of Arita Porcelain.

Yeah that should do it. Love almost all the Seiko divers, can’t get pass the “Tuna” though. The Willard might be the most comfortable watch ever, though I only had it on for a minute or two.

Not a fan of the Roman numerals, but that cream dial is fantastic. Good choice.

Wow! The SPB397 Arita is spectacular!

Roman numerals, I only like them when done right. But Seiko really did a great job. This is the closest I can get to my grail Credor Eichi II😂

I really like the looks of some of the Seiko's, my only wish is that they would get over this 'limited edition' thing they do...

The Presage line is getting better looking all the time.

OP,

you can find the model in question, new, but a slightly older model (that I like a little better personally) on Japanese watch distributors for 1k. I recently was keen on adding a third non sport seiko to make an old 6R collection. I prefer the older generation due to some of the material/colors of the hands and the date wheel. I think they crunch the 31 in the date wheel and power indicator and messes up the symmetry (just me). I paid 1100 out the door no vat or taxes and got it in 3 days from Japan. I think the one I got was produced in 2016. Here is my modern dress-ish seiko trio. Irushi is the last one

I know the retrogade models exist, those models were JDM specific with Urushi dials. Plus I'm not a fan of the retrogade movement.

I wanted the cream Arita porcelain dial version specifically and the Seiko models they have right now all come in white or blue hued dials plus have the standard 6R movements.

This limited edition is still cheaper than the other Seiko Porcelain dial models with high beat movement they currently offer plus these current ones have updated case designs and few good upgrades.

Which Seiko model is that with the blue dial? Never seen one.

Totally get it just giving some other price options if you want to keep the same theme! Blue/teal tuxedo dial sarx047