The revival of the King Seiko name is arguably one of the biggest shifts in Japanese watch design this decade. Bringing back the sharp, angular shapes and exquisite dials of the 60s as a modern Seiko collection and boosting interest in what was already one of the most popular Japanese watch brands. For the summer Seiko have released the brightly coloured King Seiko KSK 6R ‘Preppy’ collection with a new case size.
Cutting straight to the dials, there are three colours available. First is the ‘Preppy Green’, then ‘Preppy Blue’ and lastly ‘Preppy Burgundy’. The term preppy for a watch is an interesting one because it relates to the late 90s prep style movement, which focused on collegiate vibes and elite prep schools, especially in America.
It implies that these are watches for cool, young adults and the colours on display definitely fit the overall prep aesthetic. Ice blue, teal green and rich burgundy are exactly the sorts of shades you can imagine on a varsity jacket or corduroy blazer. I think it’s a really shrewd choice on the part of Seiko given the increased interest in retro and vintage styles that has dominated 2024. By giving their 60s inspired timepiece a 90s inspired colour scheme, they create a watch that’s interesting to collectors with a broad range of tastes.
Structurally these King Seiko KSK 6Rs are the smallest King Seikos to be produced since the collection was revived, measuring just 36mm in diameter. A side effect of the reduced diameter is the altered shape of the lugs. On a standard King Seiko (excluding the 1969 Re-Interpretations) the lugs project from the case at sharp angles, contributing to the sharp, angular design. However, here, the lugs follow the smooth curve of the case in a more traditional round style, although they retain the classic facetted design.
Beneath the surface, the three preppy watches house the 6R51, an automatic movement with a 72-hour power reserve and accuracy of +25/-15 seconds per day. It features the time only complications of central hours, minutes and seconds. It’s protected by a solid steel caseback depicting the retro King Seiko shield logo. You can also see an inscription marking the 10 bar water resistance rating, which is equivalent to 100m.
Priced at £1,720 it sits on the lower end of the King Seiko price range, which can vary from £1,560 to £3,000. If you enjoy a bit of retro styling, these watches might be right in your wheel house. I know that our Oracle Time editor, who is the personification of preppy style, will love them.
Price and Specs:
More details at Seiko Boutique.
