Model: Seiko Laurel LJAR601 / 4S29-5000
Year: January 1997
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. This is one of the elaborate Laurels from the neo-vintage collection. The obvious comparison is the LJAK600. While the changes are subtle, they’re numerous. The Breguet numbers have been swapped for Roman numerals, but not wanting to be totally Breguet-less, the LJAR has Breguet hands! The dial showcases an intricate flinqué pattern throughout, and the addition of a power reserve indicator is always welcome on a manual-wind piece.
The Hands. Heat-blued Breguet-style hands to add the perfect about of "Swiss" to the look.
The Movement. More than anything, though, this is a movement upgrade. And to ensure it doesn’t go unnoticed, Seiko thoughtfully fitted an exhibition caseback. The juxtaposition of the pre-war inspired dial and the modern 4S29 movement on display makes for an irresistible visual contrast.
Specifications:
Condition: Good condition overall, but there are small hairlines across the case. Please note, there are also small scratches on the crystal, most noticeably in the top left corner. It might sound silly, but the dial pattern visually obscures any blemishes from being noticeable on the wrist.
Scope: No box or papers
Movement: 4S29 Manual Wind 28800bhp
Dimensions:
- Case Width: 34.0mm
- Lug to Lug: 43.0mm
- Case Thickness: 9.8mm
- Lug Width: 18.0mm
