SEIKO unveils the special edition Ananta ‘100th Anniversary’ Chronograph (reference SRQ017) featuring a hand-painted lacquer dial in a deep blue, a colour never previously achieved with lacquer. The crescent moon on the watch dial is inspired by the helmet worn by Masamune Date, the 17th century daimyo.
Even among the many remarkable daimyo’s, or regional barons, of the early 17th century, Masamune Date’s is an outstanding story. He fought his first campaign at the age of 14, he succeeded his father as daimyo at 17, he founded Sendai, one of Japan’s great cities, and he was the driving force behind a sea-borne diplomatic mission that reached as far as the Philippines, Spain and even the Vatican City in Rome.
As a warrior, he was as merciless as he was successful and he was renowned for the distinctiveness of his armour. His Samurai helmet was topped with a large crescent moon emblem and it is with this most distinctive look that history remembers him today. Masamune Date’s crescent moon helmet is the inspiration for the new Ananta chronograph.
Ananta brings together two rich traditions. Honed over 100 years, Seiko’s watchmaking skills are fused with the cultural history of Japan to create a collection that is both unmistakably Seiko and uniquely Japanese. For 2013, a new chronograph is added to Ananta with a design that evokes the age of the Samurai.
The dial of this new chronograph is a perfect expression of Seiko’s dedication to ultimate refinement and innovation. Each dial is painted by hand by Isshu Tamura, a noted artist and expert in the Kaga Makie style of lacquer.
The dial itself is a deep blue, a colour never before achieved with lacquer and it evokes the richness of the night sky, against which the crescent moon, also painted in lacquer, shines brightly.
Inside this new Ananta creation beats Seiko’s finest mechanical chronograph caliber 8R28. It incorporates a column wheel and vertical clutch system for precise operation and also incorporates Seiko’s unique three-pointed hammer which ensures the perfect synchronisation of the hands’ fly-back. The beauty of the color on the dial is perfectly visible, thanks to Seiko’s proprietary antireflective coating which eliminates 99% of light reflection, even in bright sunlight.
The Seiko 100th Anniversary Ananta chronograph is a limited edition of 300 pieces, each with its own serial number engraved on the case back.
It is part of the Seiko 100th anniversary collection, which celebrates the centenary of Seiko’s very first wrist watch, the Laurel, created in 1913.
Technical details
Model: SEIKO Ananta ‘100th Anniversary’ Chronograph Limited Edition
Reference SRQ017/ SRQ017J1
Movement
Caliber 8R28
Automatic Chronograph up to 12 hours, Column wheel and vertical clutch
Vibrations: 28,800 vibrations per hour
Power reserve: over 45 hours
Jewels: 34 jewels
Case and bracelet
Diameter 42.8 mm, Thickness: 14.2mm
Stainless steel with blue hard coating
Water resistance 10 Bar, Magnetic resistance 4,800 A/m
Band: Stainless steel with three-fold clasp with push button release
Glass: Sapphire crystal with Super-clear Coating
Approximate recommended retail price range in Europe
Euro 4,300
Edition
Limited edition of 300 pieces
