Arita Porcelain
The small town of Arita in Kyushu is the home of Japanese porcelain. Highly prized for their gorgeous white sheen with a hint of blue, porcelain has been a thriving trade in Arita for over 400 years.
When it comes to interpreting the material for the new Presage watch, Seiko naturally sought out the expertise of Arita artisans, in particular master craftsman Hiroyuki Hashiguchi. He was tasked with developing a stronger version of the porcelain that could withstand the rigours of timekeeping without compromising on its original beauty.
Indeed, the porcelain used for the dials is four times stronger, achieved through a painstaking process. The base material is first put into a special mold to create depth. It is then dried and fired at 1,300°C to harden and produce the desired white hue. Glazing is next done by hand, after which it is fired again to seal the glaze. This step gives it a rich finish with that subtle blue tinge.