The latest Seiko from the Presage collection makes us of three traditional decoration techniques to create an elaborate lacquered dial. Price and specs of the Seiko Presage Urushi Byakudan-nuri Limited Edition Ref. SPB085.
The latest Seiko from the Presage collection makes use of three traditional decoration techniques to create an elaborate and fascinating lacquered dial which reproduces the tones of the sky and moon just before dawn.
Housed in a 40.5 mm x 12.8 mm stainless steel case water resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet and protected by a dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, the dial of the new Presage Urushi Byakudan-nuri Limited Edition Ref. SPB085 is created through a three-step process.
First, the dial is made with the traditional Urushi technique in which jet black lacquer is painted by hand onto the metal base of the dial, dried and then polished. The artist repeats this process until the exact depth of black is achieved.
Using a new layer of Urushi as the binding agent, the sub-dials are then sprinkled with a layer of very fine metallic powder. The whole dial is then repeatedly painted with a red-tinged semi-transparent Urushi lacquer and then each new layer is dried and polished for as many times as the craftsman deems necessary.
The last step is about adding the moon, using Maki-e, in the form of the crescent shaped power reserve indicator. As with the Byakudan-nuri technique, the crescent is first coated with a layer of Urushi lacquer that acts as the adhesive to the fine, gilt-coloured powder that is then applied to it. Once the powder is on the dial, the craftsman gently taps it to disperse the powder evenly across the surface. The result is a moon with a shimmering, granular texture.
Every step of these three complex processes, Urushi, Byakudan-nuri and Maki-e, is completed by hand by the artists in the studio of Urushi master Isshu Tamura in the Hokuriku region of Honshu, Japan’s main island.
The exhibition case-back showcases the automatic 6R movement beating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and offering a power reserve of 45 hours.
The Seiko Presage Urushi Byakudan-nuri Ref. SPB085 is a limited edition of 2,000 individually numbered pieces with a unit price of Euro 2,500. seikowatches.com
Housed in a 40.5 mm x 12.8 mm stainless steel case water resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet and protected by a dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, the dial of the new Presage Urushi Byakudan-nuri Limited Edition Ref. SPB085 is created through a three-step process.
First, the dial is made with the traditional Urushi technique in which jet black lacquer is painted by hand onto the metal base of the dial, dried and then polished. The artist repeats this process until the exact depth of black is achieved.
Using a new layer of Urushi as the binding agent, the sub-dials are then sprinkled with a layer of very fine metallic powder. The whole dial is then repeatedly painted with a red-tinged semi-transparent Urushi lacquer and then each new layer is dried and polished for as many times as the craftsman deems necessary.
The last step is about adding the moon, using Maki-e, in the form of the crescent shaped power reserve indicator. As with the Byakudan-nuri technique, the crescent is first coated with a layer of Urushi lacquer that acts as the adhesive to the fine, gilt-coloured powder that is then applied to it. Once the powder is on the dial, the craftsman gently taps it to disperse the powder evenly across the surface. The result is a moon with a shimmering, granular texture.
The exhibition case-back showcases the automatic 6R movement beating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and offering a power reserve of 45 hours.
The Seiko Presage Urushi Byakudan-nuri Ref. SPB085 is a limited edition of 2,000 individually numbered pieces with a unit price of Euro 2,500. seikowatches.com
COMMENTS