As the New Year approaches it is a time to look forward and make plans for the future, but also to look back over that which has come to pass. This year was a banner one for tool watches--GMTs and vintage-styled chronographs, particularly. But a few good divers, as well. And as you know, here at Calibre321, we like our tool watches.
Like the Mark Series of Speedmasters, the 125 is a brutish iteration. It measures 42mm in diameter (45mm including the crown) and 51mm lug to lug. It’s also 16mm thick. To look at it, you might think someone chopped it out of a solid block of 316L stainless steel. Tonneau-shaped and predominantly brushed, the watch sports a finely polished chamfer along both the top and bottom edges of the mid-case. The stationary bezel is also buffed to a mirror-like shine.
Seiko is one of the most prolific brands in horology and has an extensive history dating back over 130 years. The brand started in 1881 when a 21-year-old entrepreneur, Kintaro Hattori, opened a shop in central Tokyo--Ginza to be specific--that specialized in repairing watches and clocks. Eleven years later, in 1892, Kintaro opened up his manufacturing facility, Seikosha, which primarily focused on producing wall clocks. Fun fact: Seikosha combines the word seiko (成功,) meaning “exquisite” or “success,” and sha, meaning “house” in Japanese. The translation of Seikosha is “exquisite or success house.”
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