What's with the "AUTOMATIC" text font on the dial?

Did the Seiko designer fall asleep and let the intern finish the dial project?

It would have been better to print "24 Jewels" or at least use some scripted font. The Prospex logo would be better <sarcasm>....

-Brian

 

Like the recent Alpinst, they need to find a way to ruin the dial to keep it different from the vintage.

 

Yes, the “AUTOMATIC” does seem a little awkward on the dial. Alas it is Seiko.

 

I was going to make a joke about how this started life as a Presage until they replaced it with KS at the last minute. But it looks like on the Presages Seiko uses a matching serif font for AUTOMATIC.

 

Yes, and the same typeface is used to denote AUTOMATIC on Grand Seiko references as well. For example...

 

Looking at the dial of my King Seiko 4502-8010, it appears to me that Seiko used to use an extended (aka widened) version of a sans-serif font—perhaps Helvetica?—on the dial to denote movement information. By contrast, it appears that they're now using a standard-width version of the same or similar typeface.

For what it's worth, last year's King Seiko KSK 140th Anniversary Re-Creation used a serif font to denote "DIASHOCK 26 JEWELS" beneath the King Seiko logo on the dial. That's consistent with the typeface used on the original reference, though, to my eye, it appears that the re-creation uses a slightly heavier weight.

Fun with fonts! ;-)

 

Here's my SCVN001 4S15-7040 on original vintage KS bracelet (the first modern re-issue of a King Seiko):

The AUTOMATIC text is short in height and size and is balanced with the lower dial.

They used HI-BEAT on the lower dial on this one. Correct since 4S15 was a revived Cal. 52 movement. Officially the re-issues are 21,600 bph so not Hi-Beat (I believe that's 28,800 bph or above).

So I would be sold if they put Automatic under the Seiko logo in smaller font for these SPB2xxx re-issues. It just seems the text location is off compared to the original vintage designs.

-Brian

 

This watch may push me as a GADA over an Oris 65 sunset brown or glow. Love the brushing on side case. I just want to kinda wait if Oris will release new 65 models.

 

Almost certainly. Oris as a brand at this point is basically Diver's 65, Aquis, Big Crown, and some other stuff nobody pays much attention to. They actually just did a new one - another Cal 400 model following the Hodinkee LE and the Carl B. small seconds variant.

 

All these limited editions warrant the KS name, not so sure about that new 6R version...

 

Am I a weirdo for loving the brown-dialed SPB285 reference? I wouldn't have thought that I'd be jonesing for a brown dialed watch, but, man, it just looks so good to my eyes. Anyone else digging those dark chocolate vibes?

The image below is from the excellent Fratello piece on the new King Seiko Collection.

 

Not weird at all! Soon as I saw the write-ups about this new King Seiko, love at first sight! And the brown dial is foremost on my mind as well. I owned a Grand Seiko SBGW231 for a time. Sold it recently. Now that I see the King Seiko, no regrets on selling the GS. I am almost willing to pre pay one of these with brown dial, I like it so much!

 

I’m digging the SPB281 with the vertical line silver dial.

Waiting for a price drop though.

 

Just looking at the side profile, feels way too thick and chunky for the overall case dimensions.

 

The article compares it to the SBGW231, which has a similar issue.

 

I think they look nice, especially the red dial, but people seem really down on the usage of a 6R movement at that price point.

 

I'm not complaining about the price. I'm complaining that they put a 6R on a King Seiko. As many people have already mentioned in the other Seiko thread, historically, GS and KS were sharing base movements. So to see a KS-branded watch using an "entry level" (or mid-tier, at best) movement is quite disappointing. It ruins the prestige and premium quality that KS watches historically had.

 

I really like the look of this watch and of course the King Seiko history but it’s too small for me and too expensive for what it is. I think a lot of small watch fans will be pleased.

 

Attractive and classically sized, but that's a King Seiko in name only.

Hard pass.

 

Love the brown...but just can't see parting with this

 

It's a fine enough watch. Not clear why Automatic needs to be called out. Agree with others, it cheapens the face.

Also think this incarnation devalues the KS name. It would be good to understand the Seiko's thinking about brand hierarchy and what they're trying to do here...

 

It's a very attractive set of models. I don't even mind the font of the AUTOMATIC text, though it could do with being a bit higher on the dial.

Once again the main problem is the movement. I don't know why Seiko is so averse to giving us a non-6R movement at this price point. The 6R is a glorified 4R/7S, which themselves were built off of the economical 7000 series of movements from the 1970s. The 6R in their SPB diver reissues was already pushing it. But now at this more expensive King Seiko price point, it makes even less sense. I can understand that the really nice finishing may force the price upwards of their normal SPB-tier watches. But this is not a movement befitting of the KS brand. Seiko really just need to be willing to give us the 6L35 (or even a revived 4S15) at this price tier to give some semblance of value.

I was really hyped when I saw these at first. Maybe eventually I will grab one (hopefully at a discount). I still think they're excellent designs. But thinking on it some more, that 6R31 really does sour my opinion on it.

 

Really digging the red and the silver sunburst dial, if you can negotiate to get this piece under $1.5k USD out the door then its quite attractive.

 

I never thought I'd ever type this, especially where a Seiko dial is involved, but this time I would NOT go for one of the coloured dials. I'm digging the black and silver

 

As a purchaser of the 2020 King Seiko Limited Edition Release SJE083,
Should I feel disappointed or relieved?

 

I think a bit of both. These new models will saturate the market with more King Seikos possibly reducing demand for the SJE, but on the other hand you have the superior watch

 

I'm a purchaser of the same watch and I'm neither disappointed nor relieved.
I can tell you if I buy one of these new ones it definitely won't be sunburst silver though.

 

Charcoal looking good. All that’s left is to see it in person.

 

A dateless 6R35 movement? Oh, HELL NO.
On the plus side, they seem to understand the importance of a good bracelet. On the minus side, they still think their lower-mid level movement is worthy of a $2000 watch. A 6L35 would be a no-brainer for a brand called "King Seiko" but that would be affording too much goodwill to the paying customers.

You know, you want to root for Seiko and see them improve and they do get a lot of their designs right, but it's everything else they do (pricing, movement and bad QC) that's like a slap in the face. At this stage, I think it's better for me to just completely ignore Seiko until we start hearing a consistent stream of positive feedback and phrases like "they're turning it around". Until then, I think I can just safely assume they're pulling cheap tricks like this and taking their consumer base for granted.
I'm just so over this.

 

I admit 6r is mid-tier at best, but 6R31 means NO-DATE! That should count for something, lots actually. I'd prefer a no-date 6R to... any movement with a date.

 

When your movement is gaining and losing seconds in ways you can't determine and runs at +20 a day on the wrist, it doesn't matter if there's no date to worry about.

 

If they'd have a decent hi-beat 36,000vph option I'd be very much interested. Other than that..meh

 

God, that price.

 

I quite like it. I enjoy the bracelet too. Maybe a quartz version could be an option too.