The other Grand Seiko
By Kenji Watanabe, Osaka ยท
In the 1960s Seiko had two factories competing with each other. Suwa made Grand Seiko, and Daini Seikosha in Tokyo made King Seiko. The rivalry pushed both to improve, and collectors still argue about which won.
The SPB281 is part of the 2022 King Seiko revival, inspired by the 1965 KSK design. 37 mm by 12.1 mm, steel, sapphire, 100 m, silver dial, no date, steel bracelet, 6R31 automatic with 70 hours.
I love the size and the lack of a date. 37 mm is exactly right for a business shirt. The case has sharp, flat surfaces like a Grand Seiko, at a third of the price.
My hesitation is the 6R31. It is a capable movement but not special, and through the display back it looks exactly like what it is, a well-made mass-production caliber in a case that deserves more. 1,700 to 1,800 dollars is a reasonable price for the case and dial, not for the movement. Still, as a dress watch on a bracelet, I think it is one of the most beautiful Japanese watches made today.