In 2025, Seiko brought back their King Seiko name with a new Vanac collection recalling a design of the same name first released in 1972. The angular, integrated case tapped into a new design language from the brand, and while it doesn’t shy away from the retro details, it also feels strangely relevant in a modern setting. The collection launched with three steel references housing the Japanese brand’s own caliber 8L45 within. This week, the Vanac collection welcomes three new references rendered in titanium, each boasting a unique dial.
The King Seiko Vanac falls into a strange area between genres, with a design that feels slightly too formal to be a pure sport or tool watch, but too tanky and aggressive to be dress worthy. It’s kind of its own thing. Seiko meant for this to be a great daily option that could be used for a wide range of activities. While the case measures a reasonable 41mm in diameter and 45.1mm lug to lug measurement, the design incorporates a hefty 14.3mm thickness making it a bit of a tank in practice. The use of titanium will therefore go a long way with this design, which will surely still make its heft known, but in a far more reasonable manner for a watch with daily wear ambitions.
There is not much in the way of curvature when it comes to this case, with flat surfaces meeting at sharp angles forming around the bracelet integration. It’s a classic Seiko look, and while a few refinements would be welcome, especially the design of the midcase, it makes for one of the more interesting on-wrist aesthetics currently on the market.
The interesting details don’t end there, though. The dials of these watches are layered and complex, featuring a horizontal line motif at the center which separate these titanium references from their steel counterparts. A chapter ring marking the hours uses a radial pattern to provide some contrast from the center of the dial, and a set of thick pencil style hands track the time. A date aperture is placed at three o’clock, and while the disc itself is color matched to the silver and black dial options, it remains silver within the purple dial, which feels a bit jarring when noticed.
These three watches continue to use the Seiko 8L45 automatic movement, which provides 72 hours of reserve, and is regulated to within +10/-5 seconds of accuracy per day. The movement won’t be winning any beauty awards, but it is visible through an exhibition back. This is based on the Grand Seiko 9S65, and measures 6mm in height, which is likely the cause of the thick case design needed here (a Sellita SW300 measures 3.6mm in height, for comparison).
Overall, these are a welcome addition to the Vanac family, offering a new dynamic to the design and broadening its appeal thanks to the use of a lightweight material. Still, this remains a divisive design that won’t be for everyone, which is exactly what makes it such a great statement from Seiko. All three references will be available from July of this year, and all are priced at $3,850. Seiko
