Seiko Presage SPB169 Review
Seiko has continued its global competition against Swiss luxurious watch brands. The Presage collection, released in 2016, offers the best Japanese watchmaking craftsmanship in Seiko’s technical expertise. The Seiko Presage SPB169 is part of the Presage collection, which is made up of four watches. These models have the three-hand-and-date reference and are gathered in Seiko’s Sharp Edged Series. The Seiko Presage SPB169 model is a 39.3 mm timepiece, which fits can be worn as a sporty watch and a dress watch.
Case
The Seiko Presage SPB169 model is a round stainless steel case, with a thickness of 11.1 mm, a diameter of 39.3 mm, and a length of 47.2 mm. Weighing just 155.0 g, the watch is pretty light. The back case of the watch is see-through, and the stainless steel used in making the case has been super coated for increased durability. The case of the Seiko Presage SPB169 model is a screw case back. The whole case from lug to lug is made from stainless steel.
The lugs of the watch are different from previous Seiko Presage models. The lugs have different finishes emphasizing the watch’s angularity. The lugs are also not round like those in the previous models. With a water resistance level of 10 bar, the watch can be thought to be a sporting watch.
Dial
The Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series is known to have Japanese themed dials. The color of the dials is inspired by Japanese nature. The Seiko Presage SPB169 model is inspired by Tokiwa, which is the color of evergreen trees. The Tokiwa green dial complements the silver look of the watch perfectly. Seiko has been using traditional Japanese crafts in making the dials of the Presage family. The Seiko Presage SPB169 model from the Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series has a dial that features a detailed Japanese pattern, and it has a hexagonal pattern that enlivens the dials. The pattern is borrowed from the common Japanese Asanoha (hemp leaf pattern), a motif prevalent in the Japanese culture. The watch's whole dial is covered with an overlapping geometric pattern, creating a series of reliefs and depressions, which offer different lightings at different angles.
The minute track has enhanced legibility thanks to the Lumibrite. The faceted indices are applied to the watch’s dial. The dial's hands are thick and Alpha-shaped hands, with an ample amount of Lumibrite in the middle. The watch has a framed date window, which matches the color of the case. The date window has a black background and is located at the 6 o’clock marker. The dial has a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. The inner surface of the dial also has an anti-reflective coating. The watch includes 24 jewels and a stop second-hand function on the dial.
Movement
Seiko uses the Caliber 6R35 in all the Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series models. The Caliber 6R35 was introduced in 2019 and considered an upgrade in the 6R family. The Caliber 6R35, an in-house movement, takes the upper echelon of Seiko’s grand features. It is an automatic time and date movement with an increased power reserve of up to 70 hours. You can see the automatic movement on the watch, thanks to the see-through back case, and the movement has a manual winding capacity with a daily accuracy of +25 to -15 seconds. The bonus feature on the Seiko Presage SPB169 model is the 21,600 vibrations/hours.
Bracelet
The watch has a stainless steel bracelet. The top part of the bracelet has a vertical brush (subtle hairline finish). The sides have been polished to have a brilliant gleam, a similar Zaratsu polishing to the one found in the Grand Seiko. The Seiko Presage SPB169 model has a three-fold clasp with a push-button release fixed on the integrated three-link bracelet.
Conclusion
The stainless steel Seiko Presage SPB169 model can be purchased at the Exquisite Timepieces. With its unique and customized design inspired by the Japanese culture, the Seiko Presage SPB169 model is one of the unique luxurious watches you can own.
