Since Seiko revamped its catalogs in 2019 to create more cohesive and distinctive lines, I've been yearning for the special spirit of the old Seiko.
Sure, the vast array of colors, dials, and collaborations was fun, but there weren't many of those little quirky watches that you had to look at twice, and they truly captured my heart. Of course, Seiko's Age of Discovery collection was long gone by 2019, and there was even a limited reissue in 2020. However, the timing for this reissue was completely off as people were still mourning the loss of the OG Seiko SKX. I firmly believe that now is the time to bring back the whimsical Age of Discovery series.
It's somewhat unclear whether the original Seiko Age of Discovery model was introduced in 1990 or 1992. The release of the watches was meant to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's landing on the American islands in 1492, but the 30th anniversary edition came out in 2020. Regardless, the early '90s welcomed a romantic idealization of the adventurous eras. Advertising was filled with tales of sea monsters and battling elements, and the notion that there were few mysteries left in our ever-shrinking world. This resonates with me, as well as with buyers who ensured the collection's commercial success. Even if you don't consider the design, some of these Age of Discovery models used Seiko's most technologically advanced quartz movements, like the 6M13 Perpetual Calendar (which doesn't require adjustment between 1400-2499, even having switched between the Julian and Gregorian calendars in 1582), and they still impress three decades later.
The Age of Discovery generally spans 1400-1700. Before this, there were many explorations, but this was the time of mapping the entire world, establishing contacts between previously isolated cultures, both for better and for worse, and laying the foundation for globalization in the centuries to come. Crossing the Renaissance and Baroque eras, just think about how much the world changed during this time. The printing press was invented, Constantinople fell, the Salem witch trials occurred, and Seiko somehow captured the spirit of all this in an aesthetic style. Scroll lugs, gold coatings, cartographic references, and Roman numerals - all transport you to the ancient world. So why is it time for a comeback?
This is truly an unprecedented era for watchmaking, where color and character have become more important than almost anything else. Even in 2020, when microbrands became popular, it was hard to imagine that big brands like Panerai, Doxa, and Laco would lean toward distressed case finishes. Perhaps dials, but never cases. Now these watches tell a completely fictional story about their age, wear, and hardships, but who cares if the damage is real if they give you the feeling that only aged watches can? Panerai wouldn't release a watch unless it was sure it would sell, proving that there is a market for watches that are essentially the wristwatch version of an adventure novel. That's why the Seiko Age of Discovery series should return, but not necessarily by reissuing all the old models.
There's a great opportunity to create new models under the Age of Discovery banner, aged as if they were worn at sea 500 years ago. Fantastic calibers like the 6M13 should definitely return, perhaps with some modern enhancements like solar charging and atomic clock synchronization. It's one thing for a watch to look like a Renaissance relic, but even better if it comes with a wealth of complications, so that interacting with various functions and dancing hands feels like solving an ancient puzzle. Rectangular tank-style watches also deserve more attention, though their displays showing only time are not as impressive as those with calendars and moon phases. Table clocks with caliber 21907 are also incredible collector's items and would undoubtedly garner serious interest if released in limited editions.
The Seiko Age of Discovery collection, with at least 97 references over its years of existence, is a true treasure trove of inspiration for future models. Many of these pieces also sell for large sums when they appear on eBay or other marketplaces, indicating an appetite for such characterful watches. The 30th anniversary edition was wonderful, but it didn't best capture what made the original series so special, and certainly, it wasn't the right time for it. The past year has changed the situation.