On June 18, 2026, Seiko made a donation and pledged ongoing support to the Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization, and a donation acceptance ceremony was held at the Tomioka Silk Mill in Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture. In conjunction with this, a limited edition model for the Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization was announced from Seiko Presage's Classic series.
Photographs & Text by Youkoh Endo (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published on January 6, 2026]
The value of the Tomioka Silk Mill, which spearheaded Japan's modernization.
Silk production began in ancient China before the Common Era, and mechanized silk reeling started in Europe in the 19th century with the start of the Industrial Revolution. Around that time, Japan opened its doors to the world and imported mechanized silk reeling technology, and in 1872 (Meiji 5), the Tomioka Silk Mill was built as a model factory. This technology spread throughout the country, greatly contributing to the development of Japan's sericulture industry.
The "technological innovations" that later popularized the global silk industry, and the factory itself, which retains its original industrial heritage built over 150 years ago, are unparalleled in the world. In 2014, it was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site as "Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial Heritage."
Why Seiko continues to support "Tomioka Silk"
"This exquisite silk texture, this elegant sheen—this is the result of techniques passed down through generations of skilled craftsmen."
Akio Naito, President and CEO of Seiko Watch Corporation, who attended the donation acceptance ceremony, said so.
The Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization, a general incorporated association, was established in 2021 with the aim of protecting the traditional sericulture industry in the Tomioka region of Gunma Prefecture, home to the World Heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, and passing on "Tomioka Silk" to future generations. Seiko deeply sympathizes with the organization's activities to protect the sericulture industry in the Tomioka region, which also served as the inspiration for this collaboration model, and to preserve its history and culture for the future, leading to this continued support.
Seiko Presage and the finest "Gunma Hoso"
Why did Seiko choose Presage for this special collaboration? Seiko Presage is a collection that embodies traditional Japanese craftsmanship and aesthetics in its dials, achieving a balance between practicality and aesthetics. Highly regarded overseas, there could be no more suitable model to represent the treasures of Japan's sericulture industry.
Among Tomioka silks, the "Gunma Hoso" silkworm variety is considered the finest. Compared to other varieties, it has a smaller body and produces smaller cocoons. As a result, the silk thread is extremely fine at 2.2 denier, and the resulting product has a unique suppleness and elegant luster.
The appeal of a limited edition model that replicates the finest "Gunma Hoso"
Automatic winding (Cal. 6R51). 24 jewels. 21,600 vibrations/hour. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Stainless steel case (38mm diameter, 12.9mm thickness). 10 ATM water resistance. Limited to 500 pieces in Japan. 148,500 yen (tax included). Limited edition, production has ended.
It took approximately two and a half years from the start of commercialization efforts with the Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization to this day (the acceptance ceremony). This product was also announced in a press release coinciding with the donation acceptance ceremony. Seiko has had a variety of dial patterns in the past, but for this product, they embarked on the development of a new pattern to express the supple, flowing luster of "Gunma Hoso" silk and how it changes its appearance when exposed to light. Although there was close cooperation with the Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization, it is amazing to see the technical skill and expressiveness that allowed them to complete the delicate texture with only a few prototypes.
In fact, there is a regular model that uses the same stamping pattern, but only this limited edition model is given a pearlescent finish, which helps to recreate the supple "Gunma Hoso" (thin) design. According to the developers, they deliberately chose the Cal.6R51 movement, which does not include a calendar or 24-hour counter, in order to make the dial stand out.
Furthermore, the case was changed to rose gold and the strap to dark brown to emphasize the packaging, which is inspired by the brickwork of the Tomioka Silk Mill.
Also noteworthy is the 38mm diameter size, which is being introduced to the Presage lineup for the first time. When actually placed on the wrist, the reduced case size makes it fit better, and the balance of the logos at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions has also improved. Until now, this collection has mainly been available in 41mm and 36mm diameters, but the addition of this new 38mm diameter option, which strikes a perfect balance, should be good news for many Seiko fans.
This limited edition model will be sold in quantities of 2000 overseas and 500 domestically. Only the domestic limited edition will have the "Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization" logo on the case back.
