Seiko Presage “Studio Ghibli Porco Rosso” SNR047 & SRQ033

Seiko expands its Presage collection with two new limited editions inspired by the Japanese animated film Porco Rosso. With handmade enamel dials and references to Porco Rosso’s vintage red seaplane, the white dial Presage model (SNR047) is driven by hyper-precision Spring Drive technology while the black dial (SRQ033) is powered by an automatic column-wheel chronograph. Both are limited editions and will be available from June 2020. Collectors of manga memorabilia and fans of Porco Rosso who appreciate fine Japanese craftsmanship and excellent mechanics are in for a treat.

Porco Rosso meets Presage

Manga comics are considered an integral part of contemporary Japanese culture and cater to every age group, from young children to adults. Porco Rosso (crimson pig) started out as a manga series painted in watercolours by Hayao Miyazaki before it was made into an animated adventure film for adults in 1992 by Studio Ghibli. Porco Rosso is the story of a 1930s fighter pilot: the oddity is that the pilot is a pig with a handlebar moustache. A former WWI fighter ace, Porco Rosso works as a bounty hunter chasing airborne pirates over the Adriatic Sea on board his bright red Savoia S-21 seaplane.

Seiko’s Presage collection was a well-kept Japanese secret until it was shared with the rest of the world in 2016. With its winning formula of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, resilient mechanical technology and unbeatable prices, the Presage collection is gaining adepts around the world. Iterations have featured traditional Japanese handcrafts like Shippo enamel and Arita porcelain and even a spectacular Urushi lacquer dial. Today, the Presage collection welcomes two new timepieces, the Seiko Presage “Studio Ghibli Porco Rosso” SNR047 & SRQ033 with handmade enamel dials and allusions to the famous Japanese feature-length film starring a flying pig and his 1920s seaplane.

Spring Drive SNR047

The white dial of this Presage SNR047 model is inspired by the instrument panel of Porco’s Savoia S-21 with clear black Arabic numerals, bold hands and detailed markers. The large numerals indicating 1-12 are complemented by smaller numerals from 13-24 and an outer seconds track. A date window at 3 o’clock and a green power reserve indicator between 8 and 9 o’clock along with the bright red central seconds hand complete the indications on the dial. The shield and red letter ‘R’ that appear on the rudder of Porco’s seaplane are placed just above 6 o’clock.

The handcrafted enamel dial by master craftsman Mitsuru Yokosawa gives the watch an old-world feel in keeping with Porco’s 1920s plane. The enamel dials are a tribute to Riki Watanabe, with whom Seiko had collaborated in several projects in the past and who passed away in 2013. To create these watches, Seiko worked with a long-time colleague and friend of Watanabe’s, Mitsuru Yokosawa, to whom he had entrusted the design direction of his work. The natural imperfections and slight depressions in the enamel, just under the hands, around the date window and marking the arc of the power reserve indicator, bear the hands of their maker adding warmth and individuality to the watch.

The 40mm stainless steel case has a super-hard coating, is water-resistant to 100m and has a sapphire crystal caseback to view the automatic Spring Drive 5R65 calibre. Last year, Spring Drive technology was incorporated into the Presage family, a hybrid technology that merges the beauty of a mechanical movement and its perpetual motion, thanks to an automatic winding system, with the precision and reliability of a quartz regulator – with an accuracy of ±1 second per day or ±15 seconds per month. The rotor has been customised and features Porco Rosso’s head in the centre along with an engraving of a quote from the film: “un maiale che non vola è solo un maiale” (a pig that doesn’t fly is just a pig) and the numbered edition xxx/500. This Presage model comes with a bright red crocodile strap with red, green and white stitching and an additional black crocodile strap with a three-fold clasp.

Quick facts: 40mm diameter x 13.1mm thickness – stainless steel with super-hard coating – handmade white enamel dial – automatic Spring Drive calibre 5R65 – 72h power reserve – accuracy +/-1 second p/day – ref. SNR047 – red and black crocodile strap – limited edition of 500 – EUR 5,800

Chronograph SRQ033

Closer in spirit to a vintage pilot’s watch with its bold black enamel dial, white markings and piston pushers, this Presage tri-compax automatic chronograph SRQ033 would not have looked amiss on Porco Rosso’s wrist. Once again, the handcrafted enamel dial is a work of art with gentle indentations on the sub-counters, date window and beneath the hands. The large white Arabic numerals and rectangular markers at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock and the triangle at 12 o’clock stand out against the dark background. There is also a telemeter scale on the periphery of the dial and a bright red central hand for the chronograph functions. The small seconds counter at 3 o’clock has been customised with the colours of the Italian flag and the ‘R’ and shield on the rudder of Porco Rosso’s plane.

With a slightly larger case size of 42mm and 14.9mm height, the chronograph also comes in a steel case with a super-hard coating. Both models are engraved with the name of Porco Rosso’s aeroplane on the side of the case and the crown has a large ‘R’.

The automatic chronograph is powered by Seiko’s most advanced chronograph calibre, 8R48, which measures elapsed time up to 12 hours and has a power reserve of 45 hours. In addition to a vertical clutch and a column wheel, it incorporates Seiko’s unique three-pointed hammer and a heart-shaped cam, which ensure the perfect and instant synchronization of the hands when the chronograph is reset.

Quick facts: 42mm diameter x 14.9mm thickness – stainless steel with super-hard coating – handmade black enamel dial – automatic chronograph calibre 8R48 with column wheel and vertical clutch – 28,800vph – 45h power reserve – ref. SRQ033 – red and black crocodile strap – limited edition 600 pieces – EUR 4,100

For more information, please visit seikowatches.com.