Seiko’s 145th-anniversary program opened in January 2026 with four limited editions: the King Seiko SJE121, Prospex Speedtimer SRQ059, Presage SPB538 and Astron SSH186. Each draws on a different part of the company’s history, from engraved ornament to the 1895 Timekeeper pocket watch to GPS timekeeping. Gold-colored accents tie them together. Seiko announced all four for February 2026 availability at its boutiques and select retailers worldwide, with US recommended prices from $1,900 to $3,300 and editions of 700 to 1,450 pieces (Seiko Watch Corporation, January 6, 2026).
The history Seiko is drawing on
Seiko dates its story to 1881, when Kintaro Hattori opened a timepiece import, sales and repair shop in Tokyo’s Ginza district. He established Seikosha in 1892, and the company produced its first pocket watch, the Timekeeper, three years later. Seiko’s release characterizes Hattori’s founding philosophy as “Always one step ahead of the rest.” That is the company’s wording, not a new interview quote (Seiko, January 2026).
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
SEIKO Men's Watches 5 SNKE03-4 | $269.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
SEIKO Men's SRPK61 Presage 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Watch | $799.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Seiko Prospex SPB519J1, GMT Automatic Watch, White Dial, Blue Bezel, 60th Anniversary Edition | $2,390.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Seiko Analogue SRPE93K1, Black, Strap | $515.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Three threads run through the designs:
- Engraved ornament. Hattori sometimes had timepieces engraved with a popular intricate pattern to show off craftsmanship. The King Seiko and Prospex dials borrow that pattern.
- The Timekeeper. The Presage recalls the 1895 pocket watch with an onion crown, a detailed bezel, a white enamel dial, Roman numerals and box-shaped glass.
- Astron’s timekeeping lineage. Seiko introduced the Quartz Astron in 1969 and brought the Astron name back in 2012 with a GPS Solar watch. The anniversary model continues that line.
Seiko’s own summary is that the four models “express Kintaro Hattori’s founding spirit with gold-colored accents.”
What are the four 145th-anniversary watches?
| Model | Reference | Design idea | Published specs | US price / edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Seiko KS1969 | SJE121 | Gray dial with a pattern inspired by Hattori’s early engravings; gold-colored hands, indexes and lettering; multi-row bracelet | Caliber 6L35; 39.4 mm; 9.9 mm thick; 45-hour power reserve; 5 bar | $3,100; 800 pieces |
| Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph | SRQ059 | White dial, gold-colored details, engraving-inspired pattern, styling influenced by 1960s–70s Speedtimer chronographs | Caliber 8R48; 42.0 mm; 14.6 mm thick; 45-hour power reserve; 10 bar | $2,500; 700 pieces |
| Presage Classic Series “Craftsmanship” Enamel Dial | SPB538 | Timekeeper-inspired: onion crown, detailed bezel, white enamel dial, Roman numerals | Caliber 6R51; 35.0 mm; 12.3 mm thick; 72-hour power reserve; 5 bar | $1,900; 1,450 pieces |
| Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph | SSH186 | Gold-colored detailing; GPS time and time-zone adjustment, dual time, chronograph, perpetual calendar, 38-zone world time | Caliber 5X83; titanium case and bracelet with black hard coating; 44.1 mm; 14.4 mm thick; 10 bar | $3,300; 1,450 pieces |
Prices are Seiko’s US recommended retail prices from the January 6, 2026 release, not verified current transaction prices. Seiko says specifications and prices are as of publication and subject to change. All figures are manufacturer-published; the watches were not independently tested for this article.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- Case Width: 1.4 inches (36 mm)
- Wrist Circumference: 5.5 - 7.5 inches (140 - 190 mm)
- Automatic
- Day Date RPA2023 Skeleton Back
How the four differ in practice
King Seiko SJE121: the slim dress-leaning option
At 9.9 mm thick and 39.4 mm across, it is the thinnest of the group and the only one on a multi-row bracelet. The engraving-inspired gray dial with gold-colored hands and indexes carries the anniversary theme most directly. Its water resistance is 5 bar.
Prospex SRQ059: the mechanical chronograph
This is the sportiest of the three mechanical models, with 10 bar water resistance and a 42.0 mm case. It is also the scarcest, at 700 pieces. It blends the engraved pattern with the look of Seiko’s 1960s–70s Speedtimer chronographs.
Rank #2
- Halt Second Hand Function: Pause the second hand for precise time setting
- Date Indication: Displays the current date
- Case Back Inscription: 'LIMITED EDITION' engraved on the case back
- Unique Serial Number: Engraved on the case back for authenticity
- Transparent & Screw Case Back: Allows viewing of the inner workings
Presage SPB538: the smallest and most traditional
At 35.0 mm with a white enamel dial, it is the most direct homage to the Timekeeper. It has the longest power reserve at 72 hours and the lowest price, $1,900.
Astron SSH186: the technical one
Seiko says it connects to GPS automatically up to twice a day when the dial detects sunlight, or manually at the push of a button. A change of region, time zone or daylight-saving rules may require manual selection. It is the only solar, non-mechanical model, and it is made of titanium with black hard coating, which is a different look from the other three.
Rank #3
- ELEGANT DESIGN: Round stainless steel case with blue rotating bezel, white dial and steel bracelet for a professional and refined look
- GMT function: Automatic movement with GMT function for monitoring two time zones, ideal for international travelers
- TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Diver watch with water resistance up to 300 m, sapphire crystal and date indicator
- SPECIAL EDITION: Prospex Collection 60th Anniversary commemorative model, representing Seiko excellence in the sports watch industry
- BRACELET: Solid stainless steel bracelet with safety clasp, perfect for everyday wear and sports activities
Gold-colored accents are the only thing the four share visually. Case size, movement, function and water resistance vary widely, so choose by use rather than by theme.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where the anniversary program went next
The four watches above are the opening release, not the whole 2026 program. Later announcements include:
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Seiko Model Prospex SRPE93K1 Diver's Automatic Turtle Watch
- Analogue for men
- 13 mm calendar day and date buckle
- Blue-accented Prospex, May 2026. HBC005, based on the 1965 Heritage Diver design with a 300-meter diver’s rating, was listed at a US recommended $1,400 in an edition of 4,000. HBB001, with 200-meter water resistance, was listed at $595 in an edition of 9,999. Seiko announced June 2026 availability (Seiko, May 14, 2026).
- Presage dials, May 2026. HCC007 has an Arita porcelain dial and HCC004 a silk-inspired dial. Seiko’s Singapore-region announcement listed European recommended prices of €1,800 and €1,050, with editions of 1,500 and 2,500, and July and June availability respectively. The HCC007 dial was supervised by Arita master craftsman Hiroyuki Hashiguchi and made by Toshiaki Kawaguchi and his team. Seiko claims the porcelain formulation is more than four times stronger than traditional porcelain; that is a manufacturer claim, not an independent test (Seiko, May 14, 2026).
- Edo-purple series. Seiko USA described designs across Prospex, Presage, Seiko 5 Sports and a digital model, with October 2026 availability at select US retailers (Seiko USA). That is an announced schedule; live stock was not checked.
Before you buy
- Check the current price in your region; the figures here are January 2026 US recommendations.
- Confirm regional availability and remaining stock, since each watch is a limited edition.
- Buy from Seiko boutiques or authorized retailers, the channels Seiko names, to protect the warranty.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
