Cover Japanese Ryohei Suzuki is welcomed as King Seiko’s first global ambassador in Bangkok (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko Watch Corporation)
Japanese Ryohei Suzuki is welcomed as King Seiko’s first global ambassador in Bangkok (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko Watch Corporation)
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Get to know King Seiko’s revived Tokyo-born Vanac collection and its first global ambassador, Ryohei Suzuki
Tokyo’s energy is electric. It’s a metropolis where life moves at a relentless pace, yet days and nights almost feel longer; where tradition and trendiness and tech seamlessly whirl together on ever-charming streets. A distinctly Tokyo-born collection, King Seiko first debuted in 1961 as Seiko Watch Corporation’s upmarket offering, embodying the highest standards of Japanese watchmaking at the time.
When the Seventies came, other collections were developed and, in 1975, the King Seiko line was discontinued. But its reputation never died. With watch fans all over the world continuously requesting its revival, and following a brief resurgence in 2020, King Seiko made a strong return by re-imagining its original KSK design from the Sixties in 2022.
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In March of this year, King Seiko revealed its contemporary take on another design. Vanac reflects the Seventies zeitgeist—an era of design freedom, optimism and technological fascination. It was a striking departure from the restrained elegance that defined Seiko’s earlier dress watches. Vanac models were distinct for their faceted cases, which featured sharp geometric lines and dramatic angles, as well as their visual complexity. Brushed and polished surfaces played with light, and dials came in a vivid palette—deep blues, purples and greens—often paired with bold hour markers and thick hands, signalling a confident turn from minimalism.
Above Vintage King Seiko Vanac models from the Seventies (Photo: seikowatches.com)
Vintage King Seiko Vanac models from the Seventies (Photo: seikowatches.com)
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And now it returns. Reimagined for a new generation, the new King Seiko Vanac timepieces are an ode to their beginnings, to a city whose energy has remained vibrant and captivating as ever.
This is the reason we found ourselves in another capital city with a rhythm of its own—Bangkok. While the fading sun spilled softly through the windows of our events space at Siam Paragon on Friday, July 18th, Tatler sat among global media gazing at “The Tokyo Horizon”, the theme of the new releases and the latest chapter in King Seiko’s story. This landmark event welcomed Japanese actor Ryohei Suzuki as King Seiko’s inaugural global ambassador, underscoring Seiko’s commitment to expanding its presence and prestige worldwide.
Above Ryohei Suzuki shares his love for the new King Seiko Vanac collection (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko Watch Corporation)
Above The new King Seiko Vanac with a deep purple dial, inspired by the Tokyo horizon (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko Watch Corporation)
Ryohei Suzuki shares his love for the new King Seiko Vanac collection (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko Watch Corporation)
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Suzuki is perhaps best known for his performances in Netflix’s City Hunter and Tokyo MER, among others. While his timeless charisma, artistic range and profound dedication to his craft significantly align him with the brand, the actor is professedly a genuine fan of the collection. At the event, he expressed how he is the proud owner of two vintage King Seiko watches, acquired before his appointment, and added: “I have always been attracted to the King Seiko’s rich heritage, its meticulous attention to detail and its unwavering commitment to watchmaking excellence.”
Seiko Watch Corporation president, Akio Naito, who personally presented the latest novelties to the audience, introduced Suzuki as “someone who perfectly captures the spirit of the new Vanac”, elegantly distilled in the brand philosophy, “The Newest Classic”.
Above King Seiko had a landmark event at the Siam Paragon, Bangkok to welcome its first global ambassador (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko Watch Corporation)
Above Seiko executives, led by president Akio Naito, with King Seiko ambassador Ryohei Suzuki and Thai actor Ananda Everingham on stage (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko Watch Corporation)
King Seiko had a landmark event at the Siam Paragon, Bangkok to welcome its first global ambassador (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko Watch Corporation)
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There are five new Vanac models, each drawing inspiration from the Tokyo skyline and its constantly changing expressions throughout the day. The dial features a crisp horizontal stripe pattern and elevated hour markers, with a distinctive “V” motif at 12 o’clock that nods to its name. Inside, the mechanical Caliber 8L45 delivers reliable precision and durability, with a 72-hour power reserve and daily accuracy of +10 to -5 seconds. Crucial to the watch is its duality, reflecting both the fast pace of modern city life and the quiet strength of a design that embraces its long history.
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Above Other models in the new King Seiko Vanac collection (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko Watch Corporation)
Other models in the new King Seiko Vanac collection (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko Watch Corporation)
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“With its bold, distinctive design and the use of the high-precision 8L45 mechanical movement, [King Seiko Vanac] illustrates the perfect blend of tradition and innovation that embodies the brand philosophy, The Newest Classic,” Suzuki shared. “To me, this spirit captures the essence of Tokyo itself: a city that constantly evolves with a futuristic spirit, yet remains deeply rooted in tradition, with its many shrines and temples.”
Indeed, like Tokyo itself, King Seiko Vanac balances contrasts with ease: bold yet refined, rooted in heritage yet unapologetically forward-looking. In its geometry, movement and presence, Vanac is a distinctive expression of the Japanese identity, crafted with a cosmopolitan sensibility resonating far beyond its origins.
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Trained as a student journalist, Mac’s knack for writing was a serendipitous discovery. Years later and she can’t imagine doing anything else. When she isn’t typing away on a story, she revels in being lost in a new city, revisiting a cosy film or sitcom, and idling away with her dogs.
