Model: Seiko “Laurel” LJAK602 / 4S28-5010
Year: September 1996
Features:
The Theme. The most European-looking Seiko you’ve ever seen. Breguet-style indices, elegant blued hands, small seconds subdial, and all wrapped up in a tonneau case with an onion crown? I wouldn’t blame you for double and triple-checking it says Seiko on the dial. It also says Laurel too though - a clue that this watch doesn’t have to take a page from Seiko’s normal playbook.
The History. In the early 1910s, K. Hattori & Co. began importing Swiss calibres, likely from A. Schild, and fitting them with their own enamel dials and cases. These Swiss-Japanese hybrids bore the Laurel name for a decade, until a devastating earthquake in 1923 destroyed Kintarō Hattori’s Seikosha factory. When the factory was rebuilt a year later, Hattori honoured its workers by changing the name of the watches to Seiko.
The Influence. Hattori’s 1913 Japanese-made enamel dial is dripping with Swiss influence, because, frankly put, it’s all the world knew at the time. Your choice of watch was Swiss or Swiss. But Hattori hoped to changed that, and piece by piece he did. It would take 43 years, but Seiko eventually produced their own in-house movement, and now they’re arguably the most vertically integrated, or “in-house” across all sectors, watch company in the world. They grow their own quartz crystals - what more do you want?
The Design. The similarities between the 1913 Laurel and the 1995 Laurel are obvious: Breguet indices, elegant blued hands, small seconds subdial - while the tonneau case is absent, the onion crown is there. The Swiss motifs, as seen in the 1995 LJAK602, aren’t a casual design choice - it’s a historical reference to Seiko’s origin story as a watch company.
The Materials. Despite its historical connections, the LJAK600 stands strong on its own merits. It’s a deep-value piece that is granted an affordable price point due to its relative obscurity. The case is solid 925 Silver, and Tthe hands are flawlessly heat-blued.
The Movement. The movement powering it is the 28,800bph "Hi-Beat," part of Seiko’s iconic 4S family. With the LJAK600, you’re not forced to choose between form and function - it’s as sharp in performance as it is on the wrist.
Specifications:
Condition: In great condition overall. Minor marks can be seen on close inspection in on the silver casing. The caseback has more noticeable markings. Comes on the Laurel leather strap.
Scope: No box or papers.
Movement: 4S28 Manual Wind 28800bhp, 24 Jewels
Dimensions:
- Case Width: 34.0mm
- Lug to Lug: 43.0mm
- Case Thickness: 9.8mm
- Lug Width: 18.0mm
