After launching a Prospex model dedicated to Thai elephants on Boxing Day, Seiko (Thailand) unveiled another Save The Forest timepiece last month.
A vibrant green ablazes the face of Seiko Prospex Alpinist Bamboo Grove Limited Edition, which reinforces Seiko's "Sustainable For Life" campaign in 2024.
"We carried out the Save The Ocean project for six consecutive years. Since 2023, Seiko's Sustainable For Life campaign has expanded to include conservation of forests and wildlife," noted Akira Sakairi, managing director of Seiko (Thailand).
The Save The Forest project kicked off with Seiko Prospex Alpinist Seub Nakhasathien Thailand Limited Edition, released in December 2022.
A Save The Forest activity at Klong Sang-ne in Phangnga. (Photos: Seiko)
The 39.5mm stainless steel model with a compass function boasts a green dial representing the lush forest and a caseback with the Seub Nakhasathien Foundations' logo portraying a deer jumping over a forest fire.
A part of the proceeds from the sold-out model were donated to the foundation, named after the late Thai conservationist who dedicated himself to protecting the Thung Yai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary.
The donation supported the work of officials at the sanctuary, which was listed a World Heritage Site by Unesco in Dec 1991.
"By coincidence Seiko has been in business here since 1991. We are grateful for the support given to us over 33 years, so we wanted to give something back through our social and environmental projects under the ongoing Sustainable For Life campaign," Sakairi said.
Seiko Prospex Alpinist Seub Nakhasathien Thailand Limited Edition.
The Japanese company dates back to 1881 when it was founded in Tokyo by Kintaro Hattori. Today, its business operations are aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The ocean and forest-saving projects relate to Goal 14 and 15 that respectively tend to marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Like how Seiko Prospex previously raised awareness of ocean conservation, the Save The Forest models encourage people to help make the world a greener place and preserve a rich biodiversity.
Available in 1,000 pieces, the Seiko Prospex Alpinist Bamboo Grove Limited Edition shines in a 38mm stainless steel case matched with a bracelet.
The green dial is inspired by the shade of young bamboo leaves swaying in a breezy forest. Evoking a motif hand-crafted from weaving bamboo, the pattern created through a special technique plays with the light.
A window at 3 o'clock displays the date while the Alpinist's signature triangular indexes are located at 12, 9 and 6 o'clock, with Lumibrite on the indexes as well as hands ensuring legibility in the dark.
Seiko (Thailand) managing director Akira Sakairi.
On the caseback, the sapphire crystal provides a view of Caliber 6R35 -- an automatic movement that can be manually wound to provide a power reserve of 70 hours.
Seiko (Thailand) collaborated with the award-winning PDM Brand, whose acronym stands for Product Design Matters, for the packaging which recalls a bamboo trunk.
Decorated with small bamboo leaves on the lid, the stackable box is made from vegan leather composed of environmentally friendly microfibre.
This limited edition underlines the importance of bamboo groves, whose ecological roles include providing a natural habitat and food to wildlife such as the Asian elephant.
Seiko Prospex Alpinist Bamboo Grove Limited Edition.
The enormous herbivores require large amounts of food and water, which has diminished due to deforestation or humans turning land into agricultural areas.
This is one of the problems facing wild elephants that are often accused for encroaching plantations in Thailand.
Seiko (Thailand) raises awareness of the plight of pachyderms through the stainless steel Prospex Thai Elephant Thailand Limited Edition, which delivers a power reserve of 41 hours thanks to Calibre 4R35.
With a diameter of 43.8mm, this oversized model is based on a diver's watch nicknamed King Samurai due to the angular shaped case looking like it were sliced by a Japanese warrior's sword. The design of the dial is inspired by ivory and the physical characteristics of the white elephant.
The limited edition of 1,500 pieces is a hint to Seiko (Thailand)'s next mission after participating in reforestation, forest fire prevention and various marine conservation activities.
"Compared to Mother Nature, our local projects are very small but we would like to contribute to give the people in Thailand a better life that is in harmony with nature," said Sakairi.
Leading the charge in environmental education
In a video, Alex Rendell remarks how the destruction of nature can happen in just seconds whereas its revival can take years.
Alex Rendell.
The Seiko Brand Friend is back with another message in a Save The Forest video for the Sustainable For Life campaign in 2024.
"Time for us moves forward but time for nature moves backwards," says the actor and environmentalist.
Studying, learning, passing on knowledge, taking action as well as sustainably using natural resources will help reset the time for nature.
Alex is a pioneer in environmental education. In 2015, he co-founded EEC Thailand (Environmental Education Centre), which considers nature as a classroom for kids to learn about conservation and sustainability.
He recalls his own first experience in the wild, when at the age of 10 he participated in an elephant conservation project.
"At that time I was so young, and didn't understand environmental conservation and sustainability. Seeing the wild elephants and how the rangers work was very inspiring though," he said.
The rescue mission for wild elephants was led by Dr Alongkot Chukaew, who is currently EEC programme director.
Instilling a love of nature from a young age builds the next environmentally-conscious generation. Even more rewarding is when kids grow up to become adults with jobs related to environmental conservation or sustainability.
Alex holds a master's degree in environmental social sciences from Mahidol University. Moreover, he's a PADI dive instructor who teaches his students to become protectors of the ocean.
His passion and experience makes him more than the face of Seiko's sustainability campaign as he leads various activities under the Save The Ocean and Save The Forest projects.
"We collaborate with local communities for environmental conservation, which shouldn't be a one shot. It requires follow-up and ongoing efforts to promote sustainability," he said.
