Fans of the brand are rewarded with a Seiko “Real Thai” special collection inspired by Thai cultural expressions from the four regions created as a mark of gratitude
For the longest time, Seiko has been known in Thai society for its timepiece craftsmanship. The brand’s polysemic Japanese name itself means “minute”, “greatness” and “success”. The Japanese timepiece brand made history as the first wrist watch to be manufactured using a quartz system, leading to Quartz Crisis. It is also the first brand to manufacture diving watches in titanium as well as introducing other innovative features.
Seiko isn’t just a timepiece manufacturer. The brand proclaims a House of Watchmaking, with every component manufactured by Seiko’s team of timepiece experts with years of experience and an eye for quality and detail. Despite several upcoming brands in the market today, Seiko still follows its motto of “Keep Going Forward”, never ceasing to develop and progress its expertise.
In celebration of its 140th anniversary, Seiko has pushed its creative button to revitalise a selection of its legendary models for collectors to enjoy.
Having run its business in Thailand for over 30 years, Seiko Thailand takes this opportunity to celebrate this special year. As watch lovers and watch collectors know, the timepiece community in Thailand has become ever more sophisticated.
Seiko’s 2021 special creations are meant to express its deepest gratitude for Thai fans and collectors. Having walked alongside the brand for decades, they have driven Seiko to create Thailand Limited Edition timepieces and products. Wonderfully received products that have become international successes include Seiko Prospex, initially a limited edition known by Thai collectors as “Seiko Monster” or “Seiko Sea Monster”, which ultimately became a permanent collection. Another successful model was Seiko Prospex Zimbe Limited Edition, or Shark Whale, inspired by sea journeys, which rose to fame and became a timepiece that collectors around the world desire to add to their collection, not to mention several other Thai limited editions.
ISAN PHI TA KHON (SPB247J)
Inspired by Phi Ta Khon, the festival of merit unique to the Isan region of Thailand. (Released since 28 August 2021)
“Homeland of Isan” gave birth to Phi Ta Khon or Ghost Star Dance Festival parade aka “The Grand Merit” or “Bun Pha Wet”. It is believed to be inspired by “The Story of Guatama Buddha as Vessantara” where King Vessantara and Queen Matsee ventured out of the forest as all the spirits and animals of the forest accompanied the couple to safely reach the city. These “accompanying spirits” became known as “Phi Ta Khon”. A celebration of the event is held annually at Phra That Si Song Rak Temple in Loei province, attracting tourists from all over the world.
Seiko has taken the unique festival and added craftsmanship to interpret the costume of Phi Ta Khon as “Sumo” special edition, among the first made-in-Japan watches to be sold in Thailand. The model honours the Thai festival by contrasting the frame with black, red and gold dial, as inspired by Phi Ta Khon masks and costumes.
The patterned front represents traditional wickerwork craft. The back of the watch is marked with a Phi Ta Khon mask and total manufacture of 1,991 pieces, the official registration year of Seiko Thailand. The watch comes in a red velvet box with a rubber wrist band, finished with a Seiko Thailand 30th Anniversary engraving and golden Phi Ta Khon mask emblem. The model will be available from 28 August 2021 priced at 39,800 Baht.
SOUTH NUNG TA LUNG (SRPG55K)
Deep dive into oceanic wonders and sense reflections of traditional southern Thai “Ta Lung” shadow play. (To be released in October 2021)
The beauty of Thai seas, especially in the southern region that has appeared in many Hollywood movies, forever attracts and captivates tourists from all over the world. Seiko takes the beauty of the sea and adds a touch of unique southern local entertainment portrayed in southern accents featuring the famous “Ai Teng” (Brother Teng), bringing joy to your wrist.
The grand oceanic landscape and unique culture of Southern Thailand inspire the creation of the SRPG55K Nung Ta Lung special edition model, taking oceanic blue as the theme colour. This monster model features a reflective sunray surface, a play on a calm beautiful day offshore. The gold dial adds a touch of luxury to the wearer. The backside features an imprint of “Ai Teng”, Nung Ta Lung’s main character, and the total manufacture of 1,991 pieces.
The special edition also comes with an oceanic blue velvet box with Seiko Thailand Anniversary logo stamp, “Ai Teng” illustration, and a rubber wrist band. The Nung Ta Lung model will be released in October 2021 priced at 23,800 Baht.
NORTH KHOM YEE PENG (SRPH35K)
A million lanterns light up the night sky at Yee Peng Lanna Festival. (To be released in December 2021)
“Sawaddee Jao”, the Northern greeting given in euphonious tones, resounds across the sky lantern festival, aka Yee Peng (full moon of the second month of the year) Lanna Festival, welcoming tourists from all over the world to visit the Northern region of Thailand. This festival of lights resembles the famous Loy Kratong festival but directs prayers and offerings to Phra Ket Keaw Chula Manee who resides in the highest heaven. Releasing sky lanterns is also believed to banish bad luck and bring prosperity.
The beauty of countless sky lanterns on a full-moon night is reflected in the umber orange colour of the SRPH35K Seiko King Turtle. The round edge of the watch resembles a turtle shell. The round hour marks represent sky lanterns afloat, lighting up the sky. The frame of the watch is made of ceramic, creating a stark contrast to the orange and cream scale. The umber shading radiates like burning lanterns. The lantern emblem and manufacture number of 1,991 pieces complete the design. The watch comes presented in a deep blue velvet box, logo stamped with Seiko Thailand 30th Anniversary with golden “Lanna Lantern” and durable orange rubber wrist band. The release is expected in December 2021 priced at 27,800 Baht.
CENTRAL YAK WAT CHANG (SRPH42K & SRPH44K)
From the legend of “Sahassadeja” and “Tosakanth” and their statues that stand guardian at Wat Arun Ratchawararam. (To be released in March 2022)
Central Thailand has a plethora of tourist destinations rich in artistic and cultural engagement to attract visitors from Thailand and around the world. Top destinations include palaces and royal temples such as Bangkok’s “Wat Chaeng” or “Wat Arun Ratchawararam” beside the Chao Phraya River. The temple is famous for images of its soaring stupa reflecting the sunset. The legend of Ta Tien, well-known among Thais, includes the story of the two giants in front of the temple, exuding both beauty and strength. As the story goes, the giants of Wat Chaeng and Wat Po were once great friends until one day they came into conflict with each other. The ensuing conflict resulted in the trees being stomped to the ground, creating a clear space which is the meaning of Ta Tien in Thai.
The tale of the two giants is translated into two Seiko Samurai models
“Sahassadeja” (The White Giant) inspired Seiko Prospex SRPH42K’s white that evokes the body of the giant. The square pattern evokes decorative features of the giant’s costume, with a red ring for the lip. Contrasting black ceramic and outer red and gold ring represent the giant’s victory crown and signify prosperity.
“Tosakanth” (The Green Giant) inspires Seiko Prospex SRPH44K with a green front and 3D square pattern that resembles its body. The red inner ring and gold outer ring provide a Chinese heritage crown-like contrast to the black ceramic frame behind the green scale. Gold hour dial and red second dial amp up the sense of luxury.
Both models are stamped with the famous giants and manufacture number of 996 pieces for the “Tosakanth” model and 995 for the “Sahassadeja” model. The watches come in a velvet box with a Seiko Thailand 30th anniversary stamp, giant illustration and top-quality rubber wrist band in black or green. The release of both watches is expected in March 2022 priced at 29,800 Baht.
For more information:
Seiko Call Centre 0 2255 1245 ext 888
Website: www.seikowatches.com/th-th or www.seikoprospexthailand.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeikoThailandOfficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seiko_thailand/
Line: @seiko_thailand