BY DHANANJAY PATHAK
Seiko introduced a slew of attractive and premium-looking three-hand watches as a part of its new Sharp Edged watch collection in 2020. Following the success of the date and time model, Seiko added a new value-oriented GMT to this collection in 2021. Now, the Sharp-Edged family is yet again being expanded with a new trio of watches created in collaboration with Halliburton, a brand known for manufacturing high-quality, rugged, and durable travel luggage products.
As existing members of the Presage Sharp Edged family, the new Halliburton limited edition watches feature visually enticing textured dials. Presented in black and white, the pattern on the dial exhibits the familiar hemp leaf pattern except for the two broad textured stripes on each side that seem to be inspired by the lines found on some Halliburton suitcases. That aside, the dial layouts remain identical to previous models. The three-hand version comes with blued hands, a date window at 3, and a blue sloped chapter ring with silver minute markings. Both GMT variations feature a busier layout with a power reserve indicator at 9, a recessed circular sub-dial at 6 to track the date and a white or blue arrow tipped GMT hand to track an additional time zone. All models come with applied and faceted hour markers that add depth to the dial, and the hands have been filled with luminous paint to ensure easy readability in low-light situations.
All three watches feature a stainless-steel construction but there is a slight difference in proportion between the GMT and date-only models. The case on the three-hander measures a modest 39.3mm in diameter, is just 11.1mm thick, and comes with a smooth bezel on top. The GMT models, on the contrary, come with a bigger 42.2mm case, which is 13.7mm thick and features 24-hour markings on the bezel to read the additional time zone. All watches are water-resistant to a healthy 100 meters.
As for the internals, in true Seiko fashion, we have in-house automatic movements powering these watches. Beating inside the GMTs is the calibre 6R64 that operates at 4 Hz, comprises 29 jewels, and offers a power reserve of around 45 hours. The date-only model is powered by the trustworthy calibre 6R35, which operates at a low beat of 3Hz but offers an impressive autonomy of around 70 hours. Both movements are visible through the exhibition case back, but the finishing is quite pedestrian for the most part.
The new Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Halliburton Limited Edition watches come mated to a steel bracelet. The SPB269 GMT and SPB277 time and date models are limited to 2000 pieces and retail for USD 1,550 and USD 1,100. The black GMT model, aka SPB271, is limited to just 600 pieces and retails for USD 1,550.
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