When Seiko introduced its Sharp Edged Series about two years ago, I was surprised to see something so similar to the designs of Grand Seiko. The series, however, seems to be doing quite well, featuring designs with flat surfaces, strong lines, and dials with different motifs and textures. Today, the Presage Sharp Edged Series expands once more with five new references.

Four references (SPB305, SPB307, SPB309, and SPB311) feature a new case design, and SPB303 is a limited-edition GMT. The SPB303 GMT with its blue textured dial pays tribute to Ukiyo-e paintings of Mt. Fuji in mid-summer. The four other references receive a new case with a polished bevel between the top of the lugs and the case band. It’s an angular point of contrast that gives the Presage Sharp Edged Series a more luxurious appeal than it already had. Let’s dive deeper into these five new Presage Sharp Edged Series releases from Seiko.

Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series

As I mentioned, one watch features a second timezone function, while two others feature power reserve, day, and date indicators. The two remaining releases have an open-heart aperture revealing part of the escapement and oscillating balance wheel.

To me, besides the time and date, one of the most useful functions of a watch is a GMT. With this, you can travel the world and keep track of home time. And you can even track the time in other places from home. It’s useful if you have a business partner across the globe or, more importantly, a loved one in a different time zone. The same goes for when you’re traveling to other time zones. And I don’t mean going to places that are just one or two hours different, but from Europe to Japan, let’s say. Having a GMT watch makes it so much easier to check the time back home, as you don’t need to calculate the time difference yourself. With just a glance at the dial, you know what time it is and what your wife and kids are doing… Or are supposed to be doing.

Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series SPB303

SPB303 GMT

This watch is a true traveler’s GMT with an independently adjustable 12-hour hand. My colleague Lex did a hands-on review of one of the other Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series GMT watches that had the same 6R64 movement inside. This particular model has a new dial color, matching the blue of Mt. Fuji in the Ukiyo-e style of Japanese art. Ukiyo-e, meaning “pictures of the floating world”, flourished in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Ukiyo-e artists depicted Mt. Fuji in high summer with a rich blue color. The textured dial and ceramic bezel of the Seiko Presage SPB303 GMT feature the same tone of blue as in those Ukiyo-e works.

The diameter of the SPB303 GMT is 42.2mm, and it has a thickness of 13.7mm. The power reserve of Seiko’s caliber 6R64 is 45 hours and it ticks at 28,800vph. Besides the home time and additional time zone, the movement also provides a date and a power reserve indicator. The Seiko SPB303 comes on a stainless steel bracelet, but there will also be an additional strap included in the package. The retail price of the SPB303 is €1,540, and it will be available in July 2022. That’s exactly when Mt. Fuji should start turning blue.

Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series SPB305

SPB305 and SPB307

The SPB305 and SPB307 use the new case style with an extra polished bevel as described above. The SPB305 features a “Geppaku” motif, displaying the color of the full moon. The SPB307 has a “Kurotobi” motif, inspired by the colors of a bird of prey known as the black kite. Both watches have day and date indicators as well as a power reserve indicator. Inside them beats Seiko’s caliber 6R21, featuring a 28,800vph frequency and a 45-hour power reserve.

The Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series SPB305 and SPB307 not only feature a new case shape, but they also have very friendly dimensions. The diameter of the case is 40.2mm with a thickness of 12.2mm. The retail price of the Seiko SPB305 “Geppaku” and SPB307 “Kuritobi” is €1,100.

Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series SPB311

SPB309 and SPB311

Last but not least, we have the open-heart models, the SPB309 “Shironeri” and SPB311 “Aisumi”. The “Shironeri” features the color of white, unbleached silk, while the “Aisumi” displays a deep indigo blue. These two watches have an aperture at 9 o’clock showing the oscillating balance wheel as well as the moving escapement. Just like the Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series SPB305 and SPB307, these open-heart versions share the same case design and diameter. The SPB309 and SPB311 are a bit slimmer, however, measuring 11.8mm thick.

These watches also have fewer complications, of course. Like all of the other watches in this collection, Seiko indicates that the cases (as well as the bracelet of the SPB309 “Shironeri”) have been treated with a super-hard coating. The SPB311 “Aisumi” comes on a leather strap. Seiko’s 6R38 movement powers both of these watches. This movement ticks slower at 21,600vph, but as a result, it has a longer reserve of no less than 70 hours. The retail price of the Seiko Presage SPB309 and SPB311 is €1,000. The four non-limited Presage watches with the new case design will be available in June 2022.

For more information, visit Seiko online, and let us know what you think of these releases in the comments below.

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