Over the course of the last year and a half, we have seen Seiko continuously expand its revived King Seiko line to be a mid-range brand that can occupy the space between regular Seiko and Grand Seiko. Just earlier this year, the fan-favorite Japanese watch manufacturer announced two new standard-production King Seiko models that were characterized by a slimmer case silhouette, and as its latest new release of 2023, Seiko has expanded this format and launched the King Seiko SJE095, which will be produced as a limited edition of 600 examples and features a textured dial that is inspired by the chrysanthemum flower.
At a quick glance, the new King Seiko SJE095 is essentially just a limited-edition dial variation of the two standard-production models that were announced a few months ago. What this means is that you get the same slimmed-down stainless steel case that measures 38.6mm in diameter by 10.7mm thick, with angular lugs that extend to create a lug-to-lug profile of 45.8mm and an overall form that is inspired by the King Seiko KSK from 1965. Similarly, a box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment sits above the dial, a push/pull-style crown signed with the King Seiko shield logo resides at the 3 o’clock location, and a solid stainless steel caseback (also adorned with an engraving of the King Seiko shield logo) screws down to the middle case in order to help support the SJE095’s 50 meters of water resistance.
King Seiko appears to be taking a page out of Grand Seiko’s playbook, and similar to many Grand Seiko watches, the focal point of the new limited-edition King Seiko SJE095 is its nature-inspired dial. The core layout of the dial has been carried over from the standard-production models, complete with its faceted baton hour markers, dauphine-shaped hands, and framed date window at the 3 o’clock location. However, rather than having a traditional black or silver dial, the new King Seiko SJE095 features a white dial that showcases an intersecting geometric pattern known as “kiku tsunagi-mon,” which is inspired by the petals of a chrysanthemum flower. This style of pattern is frequently associated with “edo-kiriko” glassware, which is a traditional form of art in Japan that is produced by cutting glass into multiple facets to create a pattern across the surface of the object.
Powering the new King Seiko SJE095 is the same Caliber 6L35 automatic movement that can be found inside its standard-production siblings, which offers a slimmed-down design and allows this latest generation of King Seiko watches to achieve their thinner case profile. Unlike the various movements that you will find inside regular Seiko watches that run at a frequency of 21,600vph (3 Hz), the Cal. 6L35 runs at a higher rate of 28,800vph (4 Hz), which enables it to offer a tighter accuracy rating of -10/+15 seconds per day. With that in mind, the power reserve for the Cal. 6L35 comes in at only 45 hours, which is admittedly rather short compared to many other contemporary movements, and even with its improved accuracy standards, the Seiko Cal. 6L35 still falls short of chronometer standards, which only permit -4/+6 seconds of timekeeping deviation per day.
Fitted to the 19m lugs of the new limited-edition King Seiko SJE095 is the same angular stainless steel bracelet that can be found attached to its standard-production siblings. Compared to the bracelets that come with the brand’s budget-friendly Seiko 5 models, the modern King Seiko bracelets represent a significant step up in terms of quality, and they offer a completely solid-link construction that is paired with a butterfly-style folding clasp. With that in mind, unlike the standard-production models, this new 600-piece limited edition also comes with a secondary leather strap, and included with the King Seiko SJE095 is a tan calf leather strap that is fitted with a signed stainless steel deployant clasp.
King Seiko watches are intended to be positioned between the top of Seiko’s standard catalog and the entry-level side of Grand Seiko’s offerings, and the new 600-piece limited edition King Seiko SJE095 is therefore accompanied by an official retail price of $3,400 USD. While the chrysanthemum flower-inspired dial is objectively rather lovely and the thinner case profile will certainly promote an improved on-wrist experience, this price point does feel slightly expensive when you consider that this is more than the entry point for Grand Seiko’s quartz watches and about three times the price of what it takes to get yourself a nice mechanical model from Seiko’s standard catalog. Additionally, for those who simply want accuracy, countless different watches with COSC chronometer-certified movements can be purchased for much less, although it is undeniable that the new SJE095 is easily one of the most promising models that have been released under the recently revived King Seiko brand. For more information on the King Seiko SJE095, please visit the brand’s website.