Seiko is marking its 145th anniversary with a collection that looks firmly to Japan’s past while keeping one foot in modern watchmaking.
The Japanese watchmaker has unveiled six new limited-edition timepieces united by a distinctive color theme: “Edo purple,” a traditional shade associated with the cultural heritage of Edo, the historic name for present-day Tokyo.
The new releases represent the third series of Seiko’s 145th-anniversary celebrations and span several of the brand’s best-known collections, including Prospex, Astron, Presage, Seiko 5 Sports and Seiko Selection.
Seiko’s history in Tokyo dates back to 1881, when founder Kintaro Hattori opened a watch shop in Ginza dedicated to selling and repairing timepieces. More than a century later, the company is using that connection to Tokyo as the inspiration for a collection that combines Japanese history with contemporary watch design.
According to Seiko, Edo purple reflects traditions that developed during the Edo period from 1603 to 1868 and continued to influence the aesthetics of modern Tokyo. The anniversary watches interpret that color in different ways, pairing purple with gold-colored details across sporty, mechanical, GPS and digital designs.
Six Watches, One Distinctive Purple Theme
Rather than creating six nearly identical anniversary watches, Seiko has applied the Edo-purple concept differently across its collections.
Seiko Prospex Alpinist HBC006
Among the most heritage-focused models is the new Prospex Alpinist Mechanical HBC006, which draws inspiration from the original Seiko Laurel Alpinist introduced in 1959.
The 39.5mm stainless-steel watch features a purple dial, wedge-shaped markers, Arabic numerals and gold-colored accents. The Alpinist name has also been repositioned beneath the Seiko logo, echoing elements of the historic design.
Inside is Seiko’s automatic Caliber 6R55, offering a 72-hour power reserve. The watch comes with a leather strap featuring purple stitching and is protected by sapphire crystal.
Seiko says production will be limited to 7,000 pieces, with a recommended retail price of US$900.
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer HBJ005
For enthusiasts who prefer a sportier look, the Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph HBJ005 brings the Edo-purple treatment to Seiko’s motorsport-inspired timing design.
The 41.4mm stainless-steel chronograph features purple accents on the dial and aluminum tachymeter bezel, while its V192 movement is powered by light.
The model is limited to 8,000 pieces and carries a recommended retail price of US$750.
Seiko Astron GPS Solar HAB011
The most technologically sophisticated watch in the group is the Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph HAB011.
Limited to just 2,000 pieces, the Astron combines GPS-controlled time-zone adjustment with dual-time functionality, a chronograph and a perpetual calendar.
Its 43.3mm titanium case is paired with ceramic components, while the dial uses a purple gradient and horizontal pattern inspired by the changing colors of Tokyo’s sky at dusk.
The Astron is priced at US$2,900 and is the most expensive of the six new anniversary models.
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time HCB006
Seiko takes a more refined approach with the Presage Cocktail Time HCB006.
The watch is inspired by “Edo Murasaki,” a cocktail created by Hisashi Kishi, owner of Tokyo’s STAR BAR and the first bartender to receive Japan’s prestigious Contemporary Master Craftsman distinction.
Its deep purple dial has a translucent appearance, radial detailing and subtle gold-colored highlights designed to evoke the character of the cocktail.
The 40.5mm automatic watch uses Seiko’s Caliber 4R34, offers a 41-hour power reserve and includes a GMT function.
Production is limited to 6,000 pieces, with a recommended retail price of US$625.
Seiko 5 Sports SKX HDB003
The Seiko 5 Sports SKX HDB003 brings the anniversary theme to one of the company’s most recognizable sports-watch designs.
The 42.5mm stainless-steel model features a deep purple dial with gold-colored accents, vertically textured indexes and a glossy Hardlex bezel.
It is powered by Seiko’s automatic Caliber 4R36, which provides approximately 41 hours of power reserve. Water resistance is rated at 10 bar.
The model will be limited to 9,999 pieces and has a recommended retail price of US$450.
Seiko Selection HFL001
The most unexpected member of the collection may be the Seiko Selection HFL001, a digital quartz watch inspired by the company’s 1982 “Rotocall” design.
The original watch became known for its distinctive rotary switch, which allowed users to access functions including an alarm, timer and stopwatch.
The new anniversary edition retains that unusual control concept but updates it with a black case and bracelet, a purple rotary bezel and gold-colored details.
The HFL001 measures 37mm across and uses Seiko’s A824 quartz movement. It is limited to 4,000 pieces and carries a recommended retail price of US$585.
Why “Edo Purple” Matters
The color is more than a cosmetic choice for Seiko.
The Edo period laid much of the cultural foundation of modern Tokyo, and purple became one of the traditional colors associated with the era. Seiko is using the shade to connect its own history to the city where the company began.
The decision also gives the 145th-anniversary collection a visual identity that differs sharply from some of the other anniversary releases introduced during 2026.
Watch publications including Fratello Watches, WatchTime and Time and Watches have highlighted the six-watch lineup as another major chapter in Seiko’s anniversary program, particularly because the same historical color has been interpreted across such different watch families.
From a Ginza Shop to a Global Watchmaker
Seiko’s anniversary story ultimately goes back to 1881.
Kintaro Hattori established his watch business in Tokyo’s Ginza district at a time when Japan’s watch industry was still developing. The company would eventually move from repairing and selling watches to manufacturing clocks, watches and increasingly sophisticated electronic timepieces.
The new Edo-purple watches deliberately connect that long history with the brand’s present-day identity.
The result is a collection that ranges from a vintage-inspired mechanical Alpinist to a GPS-controlled Astron and even a revival of an unconventional digital watch from the 1980s.
When Will the Seiko Edo Purple Watches Be Available?
Seiko says the six 145th-anniversary Edo-purple watches will become available beginning in October 2026 at Seiko Boutiques and selected retailers worldwide.
Each watch will be marked “LIMITED EDITION” on its case back.
With production numbers ranging from 2,000 pieces for the Astron to 9,999 for the Seiko 5 Sports, availability will vary considerably between models.
For collectors, however, the appeal may go beyond simple rarity. The collection brings together several chapters of Seiko history while giving them a shared visual language rooted in Tokyo.
After 145 years, Seiko is making it clear that looking backward does not necessarily mean standing still.
This time, the past comes dressed in purple.
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