August 13 2026

Seiko Revisits Its First Wristwatch With The Presage Classic HCC005 & HCC006

Ricardo Amaral NEW RELEASES, SEIKO 2026, Dress Watch, Enamel, Lacquer Dial 0

The 1913 Laurel holds a special place in Seiko’s history as Japan’s first wristwatch, and its distinctive design now provides the foundation for two new additions to the Presage Classic “Craftsmanship” collection. The HCC005 and HCC006 combine the Laurel’s classical dial architecture with two traditional Japanese decorative techniques: hand-crafted enamel and urushi lacquer.

Rather than reproducing the original watch, Seiko has adapted its defining visual elements for a contemporary mechanical watch. The result is two references with the same dimensions and movement, but distinctly different dial treatments that highlight the character of each artisanal technique.

Laurel-Inspired Design

Both watches feature a 39.60 mm stainless-steel case measuring 12.4mm thick, with 30 metres of water resistance. A dual-curved sapphire crystal protects the dial, with anti-reflective coating applied to improve legibility. The rear of each watch is fitted with a screw-down exhibition caseback, allowing a view of the mechanical movement.

The HCC005 uses stainless steel with a super-hard coating, while the HCC006 receives a yellow gold-coloured finish, giving the two references noticeably different personalities despite their shared proportions.

Their dial layouts are closely tied to the Laurel. Arabic numerals provide the principal hour markers, while a small 24-hour subdial at 6 o’clock adds another historical reference. The HCC005 also reproduces the Laurel’s distinctive red “12”, complemented by blue hands.

HCC005: Traditional Enamel Dial

The HCC005 places its emphasis on a glossy white enamel dial. Creating the surface begins with finely ground enamel applied to a copper base, followed by repeated firing at temperatures approaching 800°C.

This process produces the characteristic depth and smoothness associated with enamel, while also giving the dial excellent resistance to fading over time.

The production is supervised by master enamel artisan Mitsuru Yokosawa, with Kazunori Uchiyama contributing to the work after apprenticing under Yokosawa. Their involvement reflects Seiko’s focus on preserving specialist craftsmanship and passing these techniques to the next generation.

The resulting combination of white enamel, blue hands and the red numeral at 12 creates a particularly faithful interpretation of the Laurel’s visual identity.

HCC006: Japanese Urushi Lacquer

The HCC006 takes the same historical inspiration in a darker direction. Its dial is produced using urushi lacquer, a traditional Japanese technique known for its deep colour, glossy appearance and layered surface.

Rather than relying on a single application, urushi is built up through successive layers of lacquer and polishing. The process creates the rich black appearance of the HCC006 while giving the dial a distinctive visual depth.

The work is carried out under the supervision of lacquer master Isshu Tamura, together with Toshikazu Tsuji, Mitsuki Tsuji and their workshop.

Against the black lacquer surface, the watch uses gold-coloured numerals, indices and hands, creating a strong contrast while maintaining the classical character established by the Laurel-inspired design.

Seiko Calibre 6R5H

Powering both models is Seiko’s manufacture Calibre 6R5H, an automatic movement operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour.

Its most notable practical specification is a 72-hour power reserve, allowing the watch to continue running for three days when fully wound. The movement can be viewed through the sapphire exhibition caseback.

The combination of a traditional operating frequency and extended power reserve provides a modern mechanical foundation for these craftsmanship-focused Presage models.

Leather Straps

Both references are fitted with supple oil-tanned leather straps sourced from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group.

A three-fold deployant clasp provides the closure, giving the watches a contemporary wearing experience while maintaining the formal character of their classical designs.

Two Interpretations of Japanese Craftsmanship

The HCC005 and HCC006 offer two distinct approaches to the same historical inspiration. The white enamel HCC005 is the closer visual interpretation of the 1913 Laurel, particularly through its white dial, blue hands and red numeral at 12. The HCC006 takes the same foundation and transforms it through black urushi lacquer and gold-coloured detailing.

Both models will join the permanent Presage Classic collection and will be available through Seiko Boutiques and selected retailers worldwide from September 2026.

The HCC005 will be priced at € 1,430, while the HCC006 will retail for € 1,640.