Seiko SARD011 from 2018

For sale is a Seiko SARD011.

The watch is powered by the calibre 6R24 that features retrograde day and date. The watch beats at 28000bph and has a power reserve of 45hours.

The placement of the day, date and power reserve indicator on the dial is in my opinion one of the best placement for watches with multiple retrograde features.

The other highlight of the SARD011 is the hand painted Urushi dial. Below is an excerpt from the Seiko website about Urushi:

"Japanese lacquer is an expression of craftsmanship that can be traced back thousands of years to the Jomon period. One of the most popular forms is Urushi, which is celebrated for its great strength and natural beauty. Many are familiar with elegantly lacquered black and red tableware, but Urushi is so strong it was used during the Sengoku era to coat the armor worn by samurai – and can even serve as a binding agent. Made from the sap of the Japanese lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum), Urushi dries not by evaporation, but by absorbing moisture from the air. It is an extremely complicated process involving many steps, all of which must be completed by hand. But the effort is rewarded with a black so deep and pure, it seems endless. It is this otherworldly black beauty that lacquer artist Isshu Tamura brings to the face of The Seiko Presage Urushi Collection.

His grandfather was a Maki-e craftsman (a Japanese lacquer technique that uses metal powders, such as gold and silver) while his father mastered Urushi. Now, Isshu Tamura himself is one of Japan’s renowned Urushi lacquer artists. Because it is so difficult and time consuming, using Urushi on watch faces is rare. The process involves several undercoats, an intermediate coat, a top coat and finally a finishing coat to eliminate any minute scratches or pinholes. Before each application, Suruga charcoal is used to roughen the surface, which ensures proper adherence. For Tamura-san, who is excited by challenging projects, the results are worth the effort. “I think the combination of traditional Japanese Urushi lacquer and wristwatches has a great synchronicity,” he says. “It reflects the made in Japan spirit.”

The mesmerizing black face of The Seiko Presage Urushi Collection is offset with white numerals and gold hands. The contrast is both balanced and breathtaking. The watch is completed with a sophisticated black wristband featuring elegant gold stitching. And because every dial is lacquered by hand, each is created with its own unique character."

The watch is topped off with a thick double domed sapphire crystal for clarity.

The watch case is in excellent condition with little signs of usage other than common hairline scratches on the case. The dial and hands are free from any signs of aging. The crystal is free from any scratches.

The watch comes on a brand new handmade top grained leather strap with its original, strap, Buckle, box, papers and tags.

Serial number has been covered for privacy.

Diameter: 40mm
Thickness: 13.5mm
Lug Width: 20mm