Seiko was founded in 1881. In 1895 Seiko started to produce pocket-watches, in 1899 the production of alarm clocks started and finally in 1913 the production of wristwatches.
To celebrate the first centenary of Seiko´s wristwatches Seiko presented the Ananta ‘100th Anniversary’ Chronograph
Seiko says: “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. 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 armours. 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.”
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The crescent moon on the watch dial is inspired by the helmet worn by Masamune Date, the 17th century daimyo. Now this is the mythic way how Seiko celebrates its first 100 years of wristwatch making and this is the chronograph:
The dial of this new chronograph is a perfect expression of Seiko’s dedication to ultimate refinement and innovation. Isshu Tamura, a noted artist and expert in the Kaga Makie style of lacquer, paints each dial by hand but it is the colors that make this watch unique. The dial itself is a deep blue, a color 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. The effect is stunning; a combination of power and serenity that is the perfect visual metaphor for the richly varied life of Masamune Date.
Inside this new Ananta creation beats Seiko’s mechanical chronograph caliber 8R28. It, of course, has a column wheel and vertical clutch system for precise operation and also incorporates Seiko’s unique three-pointed hammer which ensures the perfect synchronization of the hands’ fly-back. The beauty of the color on the dial is perfectly visible, thanks to Seiko’s proprietary anti- reflective coating which eliminates 99% of light reflection, even in bright sunlight.
The Ananta chronograph is offered in a limited edition of 300, 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 wristwatch, the Laurel, created in 1913.
www.watch insider.com | news | Since 1913 Seiko is manufacturing wristwatches. Let me show you the Seiko Ananta ‘100th Anniversary’ Chronograph | RLS1304 04 SRQ017 404×590
The new Seiko Ananta chronograph has a hand-painted lacquer dial in a deep blue, a color never previously achieved with lacquer.
Specifications: SRQ017
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
www.watch insider.com | news | Since 1913 Seiko is manufacturing wristwatches. Let me show you the Seiko Ananta ‘100th Anniversary’ Chronograph | Seiko caliber 8R28
Case: Diameter 42.8 mm, Thickness: 14.2mm, Stainless steel with blue hard coating, Water resistance 100 meters, Magnetic resistance 4,800 A/m
Band: Stainless steel with three-fold clasp with push button release
Glass: Sapphire crystal with Super-clear Soating
Approximate recommended retail price range in Europe: 4.300 Euro
Limited edition: 300 pieces
http://www.watch-insider.com/news/1913-seiko-manufacturing-wristwatches…
