Get to know King Seiko’s revived Tokyo-born Vanac collection and its first global ambassador, Ryohei Suzuki
Tokyo’s energy is electric. It’s a metropolis where life moves at a relentless pace, yet days and nights almost feel longer; where tradition and trendiness and tech seamlessly whirl together on ever-charming streets. A distinctly Tokyo-born collection, King Seiko first debuted in 1961 as Seiko Watch Corporation’s upmarket offering, embodying the highest standards of Japanese watchmaking at the time.
When the Seventies came, other collections were developed and, in 1975, the King Seiko line was discontinued. But its reputation never died. With watch fans all over the world continuously requesting its revival, and following a brief resurgence in 2020, King Seiko made a strong return by re-imagining its original KSK design from the Sixties in 2022.
See also: A guide to Japan for watch enthusiasts
In March of this year, King Seiko revealed its contemporary take on another design. Vanac reflects the Seventies zeitgeist—an era of design freedom, optimism and technological fascination. It was a striking departure from the restrained elegance that defined Seiko’s earlier dress watches. Vanac models were distinct for their faceted cases, which featured sharp geometric lines and dramatic angles, as well as their visual complexity. Brushed and polished surfaces played with light, and dials came in a vivid palette—deep blues, purples and greens—often paired with bold hour markers and thick hands, signalling a confident turn from minimalism.
AloJapan.com