Cover The 5th Philippine Limited Edition watch, inspired by the Whiskered Pitta (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko)
The 5th Philippine Limited Edition watch, inspired by the Whiskered Pitta (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko)
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Seiko turns the sustainable watch trend on its head, presenting a collector’s piece that directly gives back to the Philippine rainforests
Renowned Japanese watchmaker Seiko has always remained close to the hearts of Filipino watch enthusiasts. For a great deal of them, a Seiko marks their foray into collecting; and for many more, the brand’s timeless reliability and style have captivated for as long as one can remember. The strength of this connection is manifested in the Philippine Limited Edition series, a country-exclusive that is now in its fifth release.
Debuting back in 2020, this collection has allowed Seiko to use its platform to raise awareness and celebrate the country’s extraordinary wildlife and natural landscapes, in line with the brand’s global commitment to biodiversity conservation. Each a testament to the beauty of our homeland, previous editions have paid tribute to the mesmeric depths of the Tubbataha Reefs, the breathtaking Philippine sunrise, the majestic flight of the Philippine eagle, and just last year, the ethereally pristine Banaue Rice Terraces.
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The 5th Philippine Limited Edition Watch continues these commemorations. At its recent launch, we heard all about it from Karl Dy, president and CEO of Timeplus Corporation, Seiko’s distributor in the Philippines. “Today, we take you deep into the heart of our rainforests, where the Whispered Pitta symbolises the resilience and fragility of our ecosystems,” he remarked. “It is a reminder that the treasures of our natural world are worth protecting, and we are proud to contribute to this cause.”
Above Wil Dasovich sporting the 5th Philippine Limited Edition watch (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko)
Wil Dasovich sporting the 5th Philippine Limited Edition watch (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko)
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Currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List, the Whiskered Pitta is an elusive species endemic to Luzon in the Philippines. Along with the whisker-like feathers surrounding its eyes, the bird is known for its distinctive high-pitched whistle and vivid plumage, tinged brown, red, and blue. More often heard than seen, it has become somewhat of a prized sighting among birdwatchers—something that is sure to resonate among collectors of the rarest timepieces.
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Seiko’s tribute to the Whiskered Pitta combines elegant design with a reliable mechanism. The striking dial is rendered in a rich brown hue with legible numerals in gold and LumiBrite-painted hands and indices to enhance visibility in low-light conditions. The complementing 39.5mm stainless steel case and sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating ensures clarity and durability.
The timepiece is powered by the 6R35 automatic movement, offering a 70-hour power reserve and precise timekeeping with a daily accuracy of +25 to -15 seconds. Likewise designed to withstand any environment, it is water-resistant up to 200 metres and features a rotating compass inner ring and screw-down crown.
Above The 5th Philippine Limited Edition watch (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko)
The 5th Philippine Limited Edition watch (Photo: Courtesy of Seiko)
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Each purchase of the watch—with only 1,288 pieces made and exclusively available in the Philippines—will go towards planting a tree in the Sierra Madre, the Whiskered Pitta’s natural habitat. This initiative is made possible by Seiko’s partnership with Fostering Education & Environment for Development, Inc (FEED), a non-government organisation focused on rehabilitating and restoring the forest ecosystem while empowering local communities through sustainable programmes.
To date, over 1,150 trees have been planted, and 1,288 more are in the process of being added. Each addition can be tracked through EcoMatcher’s live map, allowing patrons to see their contribution in real time.
At the launch, FEED Partnerships Director Anne-Marie Bakker expressed the essence of the “butterfly effect”, framing Seiko’s contributions to biodiversity conservation through this lens. “It has been said that something as small as the flutter of a butterfly’s wing can ultimately cause a typhoon halfway around the world. That might be the function of this species…so I want to say congratulations to Seiko for doing this, and hopefully, more companies will [follow].”
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Above At the launch: Fritz Dy and Karma Dy-Hao (Timeplus Corporation executives), Raissa Dy-Yam (Timeplus Corporation vice president), Wil Dasovich, Anne-Marie Bakker (FEED Partnerships Director), Karl Dy (Timeplus Corporation president & CEO), and Edric Dy (Timeplus Corporation VP for Marketing)
At the launch: Fritz Dy and Karma Dy-Hao (Timeplus Corporation executives), Raissa Dy-Yam (Timeplus Corporation vice president), Wil Dasovich, Anne-Marie Bakker (FEED Partnerships Director), Karl Dy (Timeplus Corporation president & CEO), and Edric Dy (Timeplus Corporation VP for Marketing)
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Embodying the spirit and vibrancy of the Whiskered Pitta, the new Philippine Limited Edition Watch represents the ever-present connection between time and nature. “It is truly a collector’s item, an elegant companion for those who value precision, beauty, and purpose,” Dy adds. “Beyond its impeccable design and performance, this watch also carries a mission—an important one for Timeplus Corporation and Seiko Philippines that has been going on for five years. We hope that, with your continued support every year, we will continually make things matter and support our environment.”
The 5th Philippine Limited Edition Watch is now available for pre-order at authorised Seiko boutiques and dealers in the Philippines.
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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.
