The Seiko Presage Collection continues to showcase the exquisite artistry of traditional Japanese craftsmanship by seamlessly blending fine mechanical watchmaking with various forms of art. In a captivating fusion of horology and animation, Seiko introduces a new enamel-dialed watch to the Presage Craftsmanship Series, drawing inspiration from Studio Ghibli’s iconic animated film, “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.”
Released in 1984, the film unfolds in a world devastated by the Seven Days of Fire, a war that occurred a millennium prior. The narrative centers on Princess Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, navigating a post-apocalyptic environment dominated by a spreading Sea of Decay and inhabited by giant mutant insects. As she becomes entangled in a conflict between two kingdoms, Nausicaä seeks to unravel the mysteries of the Sea of Decay and establish harmony between nature and humanity.
The newly unveiled watch meticulously captures the essence of this animated masterpiece through its thoughtfully crafted design. The round and curved silhouette draws inspiration from the tools and machines featured in the film, showcasing a textured, vintage-style finish on the case with a super-hard coating. The uniquely shaped crown, adorned with a blue crystal glass, pays homage to the film’s giant trilobite-like creatures known as Ohms.
The enchanting blue enamel dial mirrors the attire worn by Nausicaä, painstakingly calibrated during production to achieve the perfect hue. Crafted by master artisan Mitsuru Yokosawa and his team specializing in enamel production, the dial features white hour and minute hands, along with elongated indexes for enhanced legibility. The seconds hand introduces a gold-toned accent, while Nausicaä’s emblem graces the six o’clock position.
Powering this exceptional timepiece is the new Caliber 6R51, a variant of Seiko’s high-performance 6R55 movement. Delivering a robust 72-hour power reserve, this version omits the date display to showcase the beauty of the intricate craft dial. The movement’s gold-colored oscillating weight is visible through a display case back, featuring an illustration reminiscent of the film’s conclusion where a non-toxic plant emerges from the Sea of Decay.
The gold-plated case back bears an engraving of a legendary phrase from the film: “Clothed in blue robes, descending onto a golden field.” Packaged in a special presentation box adorned with an illustration from the film, the watch is a limited edition of 1,500, available at select Seiko retail partners nationwide starting March 2024. The box includes a Japanese message card from the film’s director, Hayao Miyazaki, adding a personal touch to this unique collaboration between horology and cinematic artistry.
For more information, please visit SeikoWatches.com.