Seiko’s 145th anniversary celebrations are moving into a more expressive phase with a new run of Edo purple watches.
The colour is being used to represent the future in a wider anniversary theme that has already assigned gold to the brand’s past and blue to its present.
Rather than confining the idea to a single collector’s piece, Seiko has spread the shade across six models, giving the collection a broad sweep from mechanical adventure watches to solar chronographs and dressier GMT territory.
At a glance
- Seiko’s 145th anniversary Edo purple collection includes six watches across Alpinist, Speedtimer, Cocktail Time, Seiko 5 Sports SKX, Rotocall and Astron lines.
- The key visual theme is an Edo-Murasaki purple dial treatment, used differently across rugged, sporty and dress-led models.
- Confirmed limited editions include the Alpinist at £820, Solar Speedtimer at £670 and Cocktail Time GMT at £520.
Edo-Murasaki brings a sharper anniversary identity
Anniversary watches often lean on safe cues, but Seiko’s choice of Edo purple gives this collection a more distinctive character.
The tone reads differently depending on the model, shifting from a soft lavender-like finish on the Alpinist to a deeper, more saturated purple on the Cocktail Time GMT and a darker sports-watch treatment on the Seiko 5 Sports SKX.
That flexibility is useful, because this isn’t one watch in multiple sizes.
It’s a cross-section of Seiko’s modern catalogue, using colour as the connective thread rather than forcing the same design language onto every case.
The Alpinist keeps the mountain-watch formula intact
The HBC006J1 145th Anniversary Limited Edition Alpinist “Edo-Murasaki” is likely to be one of the most broadly appealing pieces in the group.
It uses the recently updated Alpinist format, with a 39.5mm stainless steel case, 12.7mm thickness and 200 metres of water resistance.
That makes it compact enough for regular wear, while still keeping the practical stance that has long defined the Alpinist as Seiko’s mountain exploration watch.
The purple sunray-brushed dial is paired with alternating Arabic numerals and triangular hour markers, plus a date window at 3 o’clock.
A compass scale around the dial edge gives the watch a useful field-watch note without making the design feel overburdened.
Inside is Seiko’s 6R55 automatic movement, running at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offering a 72-hour power reserve.
At £820 and limited to 7,000 pieces, it sits in a strong position for collectors who want the anniversary colour in one of Seiko’s most enduring adventure-watch silhouettes.
Speedtimer and Cocktail Time show two sides of purple
The HBJ005P1 145th Anniversary Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Limited Edition takes the Edo purple idea in a more technical direction.
Its 41.4mm stainless steel case and 13mm thickness give it a bolder wrist presence than the Alpinist, while the black tachymeter bezel and purple accent segment make the watch feel more motorsport-adjacent.
The dial uses a tricompax layout with small seconds, a 24-hour indicator and a 60-minute chronograph counter, with a power reserve indicator integrated at 6 o’clock.
Power comes from the V192 solar quartz chronograph movement, which gives the Speedtimer a practical edge for buyers who want grab-and-go reliability rather than a mechanical calibre.
It’s priced at £670 and limited to 8,000 pieces.
The HCB006J1 145th Anniversary Presage Cocktail Time GMT Limited Edition is the dressiest confirmed model in the anniversary set.
Its purple dial is more intense, helped by the radial pressed pattern associated with the Cocktail Time GMT line.
A gold-coloured 24-hour hand adds contrast and gives the watch its travel-time function, powered by Seiko’s 4R34 automatic GMT movement with a 41-hour power reserve.
The case measures 40.5mm across and 12.8mm thick, so it wears larger than a traditional dress watch, but that suits the more extroverted nature of the Cocktail Time design.
At £520 and limited to 6,000 pieces, it may be the most accessible mechanical GMT route into the Edo purple anniversary theme.
Seiko 5 Sports adds the accessible SKX character
The HDB003K1 145th Anniversary Seiko 5 Sports SKX Limited Edition brings the collection into Seiko’s everyday sports-watch territory.
At 42.5mm by 13.9mm, it’s the largest confirmed mechanical watch in the group, though the 4 o’clock crown placement should help it sit more comfortably on the wrist.
The dial is a darker, more assertive shade of purple, matched with a black 60-minute bezel.
Oversized hour markers and generous lume keep the design grounded in the SKX-inspired Seiko 5 Sports formula, making it the most casual and robust-looking mechanical option among the confirmed models.
The collection also includes Rotocall and Astron models, extending the anniversary colour story into other parts of Seiko’s catalogue.
Details & Specifications
| Seiko HBC006J1 Alpinist | 39.5mm x 12.7mm stainless steel case, purple Edo-Murasaki dial, 200m water resistance, 6R55 automatic movement, 72-hour power reserve, leather strap, £820, limited to 7,000 pieces |
|---|---|
| Seiko HBJ005P1 Speedtimer | 41.4mm x 13.0mm stainless steel case, purple Edo-Murasaki dial, 100m water resistance, V192 solar quartz chronograph, 6-month power reserve, stainless steel bracelet, £670, limited to 8,000 pieces |
| Seiko HCB006J1 Cocktail Time GMT | 40.5mm x 12.8mm stainless steel case, purple Edo-Murasaki dial, 50m water resistance, 4R34 automatic GMT movement, 41-hour power reserve, stainless steel bracelet, £520, limited to 6,000 pieces |
| Seiko HDB003K1 Seiko 5 Sports SKX | 42.5mm x 13.9mm case, dark purple dial, black 60-minute bezel, 4 o’clock crown, oversized luminous hour markers, 4R36 automatic movement |
What makes the Edo purple collection work is that Seiko hasn’t treated the colour as a surface-level anniversary stamp.
Across the confirmed models, it changes mood with the watch around it, giving collectors a choice between field-watch practicality, chronograph utility, GMT charm and everyday sports-watch familiarity.
