It’s always cool when big-name brands recognize our history and culture enough to incorporate it tastefully into their products. Seiko is one such label. The watchmaker has previously released two limited-edition timepieces to commemorate aspects of the Philippines. The first, launched in 2020, was inspired by the Tubbataha Reefs. Last year’s model, meanwhile, celebrated the country’s colorful sunrise.
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This year, Seiko’s Philippine-inspired piece pays tribute to our national bird. The SPB345J1, otherwise known as the third Philippine Limited Edition Prospex, is an homage to the Philippine Eagle.
First, the specs. The watch runs on a 6R35 movement with a manual wind and a 70-hour power reserve, accurate to +25 to -15 seconds per day. It’s encased in stainless steel with a sapphire crystal that nicely reflects the textured dial. The exterior features a bi-color rotating bezel, while the clasp has a three-fold mechanism with a secure lock. The entire thing is water-resistant up to 200 meters.
The watch is also symbolic of Seiko’s conservation efforts. For this project, the company partnered with the Philippine Eagle Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the endangered national icon and its habitat. Seiko has even gone as far as adapting a rescue bird in Davao—now known as Eiko—with part of the proceeds of the watch going towards its care.
Seiko also teamed up with EcoMatcher, a platform that helps companies plant trees in a transparent manner. For every purchase of the third Philippine Limited Edition Prospex, a tree will be planted in the Sierra Madre region on behalf of the buyer. The buyer can then check on the tree and learn about the workers charged with its upkeep through the EcoMatcher app.
The SPB345J1 retails for P45,000 and is limited to just 1,000 pieces.
