Baselworld, the biggest watch event of the year, is happening now at the Messe Basel in Basel, Switzerland. We’ve got a team on the ground, there to bring you the most exciting releases. Follow our coverage here, and also be sure to check out Instagram. We’ll be posting to our feed throughout the week.
Verdict: Seiko has been building its Presage lineup with new designs, but its latest model — the SJE073 — offers up a completely new movement. The Seiko 6L35 inside is built with slimness in mind, and at 3.7mm thick, it’s 1.3mm thinner than the 6R15 used in other Presage watches. This, coupled with the SJE073’s “front-loaded” design (where the movement is loaded by opening the dial, not the case back), means that the watch is just 9.8mm thick.
While the introduction of a new movement is exciting, the SJE073’s finishing is top-notch, too. The dial is textured in a way that’s very reminiscent of the Grand Seiko “Snowflake,” and the blue accents on the chapter ring, branding and seconds hand are a subtle use of color. The only downside there is to this watch is the fact that it’s a limited edition, with only 1,881 pieces being built. On the bright side, it’s safe to say we’ll probably see this movement show up in future Seikos.
Who It’s For: In a perfect world, this would be a great everyday timepiece (that borders on the dressy side) for anyone who wants a high-end watch without the high-end price tag. However, seeing as this is a limited edition, expect it to get snatched up quickly by the Seikoholic cult. If you’re smitten, act quickly.
Key Features: Thin, in-house automatic movement. Textured dial. A 100-meter depth rating.
Size: 40.6mm diameter, 9.8mm thick
Movement: Seiko 6L35 automatic
Release Date: TBD
Price: $2,200
See more of our favorite new releases from Geneva. Read the Story