Seiko 145th Anniversary Limited Editions: Rotocall, Speedtimer, Cocktail Time and More
Why trust this guide? It's written by the Watch Direct team, an authorised Australian Seiko retailer trading since 2011. Every specification here is checked against Seiko's official Australian product pages, Seiko's 145th anniversary website and Seiko's 6 August 2026 press release.
Specifications were correct when this article was written in October 2026. Seiko notes that specifications may change.
At a Glance
- Seiko was founded in 1881, when Kintaro Hattori opened a watch shop in Tokyo's Ginza district. 2026 marks its 145th anniversary.
- The third anniversary series is themed on Edo purple, a traditional colour from the era when Tokyo was called Edo, with gold-coloured accents.
- Five limited editions are arriving at Watch Direct: the Rotocall HFL001, Prospex Speedtimer HBJ005, Presage Cocktail Time HCB006, Seiko 5 Sports HDB003 and the HGK003 chronograph.
- Each is marked "LIMITED EDITION" on the case back. Edition sizes range from 4,000 to 9,999 where Seiko has published them.
- Seiko says the series is available from October 2026.
In This Guide
Why Edo purple?
Seiko's story began in 1881, when its founder, Kintaro Hattori, opened a shop in Tokyo's Ginza district to sell and repair timepieces. To mark 145 years, Seiko has released anniversary limited editions in three series through 2026. The third series, announced on 6 August 2026, is built around Edo purple.
Before it was Tokyo, the city was Edo. During the Edo period (1603 to 1868), a traditional purple known as Edo purple emerged and came to be loved as a colour of the city. Seiko says the colour represents traditions that began in Edo and live on in modern Tokyo. Each watch pairs it with gold-coloured accents, and Seiko links the series to its founding motto: "Always one step ahead of the rest."
The full Edo purple series also includes a Prospex Alpinist and an Astron GPS Solar. Below are the five anniversary models we're bringing to Watch Direct.
The five models coming to Watch Direct
Each watch is marked "LIMITED EDITION" on the case back. If you want to learn more about the complications, see our guides to chronograph watches and GMT watches.
Seiko · Digital · Limited edition of 4,000
Seiko Rotocall 145th Anniversary HFL001P
The Rotocall first appeared in 1982 and is known for its rotary switch, which selects the alarm, timer and stopwatch. Seiko says its reported use among astronauts helped make it popular overseas. Seiko recreated it in 2025, and this anniversary version adds a purple bezel, an all-black case and bracelet, and gold-coloured accents on the logo and function markings.
- Calibre: A824 quartz digital, ±20 seconds a month
- Functions: Rotary switch, chronograph to 100 hours in 1/100 sec, timer, alarm, dual time, LED light, auto calendar
- Case: 37.0mm stainless steel with black hard coating, 10.6mm thick
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Water resistance: 10 bar (100m)
- Edition: 4,000 pieces
Seiko Prospex · Solar chronograph · Limited edition of 8,000
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph HBJ005P
Seiko's Speedtimer name goes back to its sports chronographs of the 1960s and 1970s. This solar version has purple accents on the dial and on the two-tone aluminium bezel insert, which carries a tachymeter scale, plus gold-coloured details. It charges from light and runs for about six months on a full charge.
- Calibre: V192 solar, ±15 seconds a month
- Functions: Chronograph to 60 minutes in 1/5 sec, 24-hour hand, power reserve indicator, date
- Case: 41.4mm stainless steel, 13.0mm thick
- Crystal: Curved sapphire with inner anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: 10 bar (100m)
- Edition: 8,000 pieces
Seiko Presage · Automatic GMT · Limited edition of 6,000
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time 145th Anniversary HCB006J
Presage Cocktail Time dials are inspired by cocktails. This one is based on "Edo Murasaki", an original cocktail created by Hisashi Kishi, owner of STAR BAR in Ginza. The deep purple radial dial has a translucent look with highlights like scattered gold flakes, and the logo and GMT hand are gold-coloured.
- Calibre: 4R34 automatic with manual winding, about 41 hours of power reserve
- Functions: 24-hour (GMT) hand, date
- Case: 40.5mm stainless steel, 12.8mm thick, see-through case back
- Crystal: Box-shaped Hardlex
- Water resistance: 5 bar (50m)
- Edition: 6,000 pieces
Seiko 5 Sports · Automatic · Limited edition of 9,999
Seiko 5 Sports SKX 145th Anniversary HDB003K
Based on Seiko's SKX series, this Seiko 5 Sports has a deep purple dial inspired by Edo-murasaki, a purple popular in Edo-period clothing. Vertically striated indexes, a glossy Hardlex bezel and a gold-coloured Seiko 5 Sports logo give the familiar sports design a dressier finish.
- Calibre: 4R36 automatic with manual winding, about 41 hours of power reserve
- Functions: Day and date, unidirectional rotating bezel
- Case: 42.5mm stainless steel, 13.9mm thick, see-through case back
- Crystal: Curved Hardlex
- Water resistance: 10 bar (100m)
- Edition: 9,999 pieces
Seiko · Quartz chronograph · Limited edition
Seiko 145th Anniversary Chronograph HGK003P
A quartz chronograph with a purple dial, silver sub-dials and gold-coloured details, in a 40mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal. Seiko lists it on its own as a 145th Anniversary Limited Edition, outside the six-watch Edo purple series, and hasn't published an edition size.
- Calibre: 8T63 quartz, ±15 seconds a month, battery life about 3 years
- Functions: Chronograph to 60 minutes in 1/5 sec, 24-hour hand, small seconds, date
- Case: 40.0mm stainless steel, 11.5mm thick
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water resistance: 10 bar (100m)
- Edition: Limited edition. Seiko hasn't stated the number
The five models compared
Movement: A824 quartz digital · Case: 37.0mm · Crystal: Hardlex · Water resistance: 10 bar (100m) · Edition: 4,000
Movement: V192 solar chronograph · Case: 41.4mm · Crystal: Sapphire · Water resistance: 10 bar (100m) · Edition: 8,000
Movement: 4R34 automatic GMT · Case: 40.5mm · Crystal: Hardlex · Water resistance: 5 bar (50m) · Edition: 6,000
Movement: 4R36 automatic · Case: 42.5mm · Crystal: Hardlex · Water resistance: 10 bar (100m) · Edition: 9,999
Movement: 8T63 quartz chronograph · Case: 40.0mm · Crystal: Sapphire · Water resistance: 10 bar (100m) · Edition: Not stated
| Watch | Movement | Case | Crystal | Water resistance | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rotocall HFL001P | A824 quartz digital | 37.0mm | Hardlex | 10 bar (100m) | 4,000 |
| Prospex Speedtimer HBJ005P | V192 solar chronograph | 41.4mm | Sapphire | 10 bar (100m) | 8,000 |
| Presage Cocktail Time HCB006J | 4R34 automatic GMT | 40.5mm | Hardlex | 5 bar (50m) | 6,000 |
| Seiko 5 Sports HDB003K | 4R36 automatic | 42.5mm | Hardlex | 10 bar (100m) | 9,999 |
| Chronograph HGK003P | 8T63 quartz chronograph | 40.0mm | Sapphire | 10 bar (100m) | Not stated |
A note on water resistance
Four of these watches are rated to 10 bar (100m) and the Cocktail Time to 5 bar (50m). That's fine for everyday wear, rain and washing your hands, but Watch Direct recommends a 200m watch with a screw-down crown for swimming and diving. Our watch water resistance guide explains what each rating means.
Shop Seiko
We'll add the anniversary models to our store as they arrive. Contact us to register your interest, or browse the Seiko collections below.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Seiko 145th anniversary Edo purple watches available?
Seiko says the Edo purple anniversary series is available from October 2026 at Seiko Boutiques and select retailers worldwide. We'll add each model to our store as it arrives. Contact us if you'd like to register your interest.
How many of each Seiko 145th anniversary watch are being made?
Seiko states these edition sizes: Seiko 5 Sports HDB003, 9,999 pieces; Prospex Speedtimer HBJ005, 8,000; Presage Cocktail Time HCB006, 6,000; Rotocall HFL001, 4,000. The HGK003 chronograph is marked as a limited edition, but Seiko hasn't published how many will be made.
What is Edo purple?
Edo purple is a traditional Japanese colour that emerged during the Edo period (1603 to 1868), when Tokyo was known as Edo. Seiko uses Edo purple tones across the anniversary series, paired with gold-coloured accents.
Can I swim with a Seiko 145th anniversary watch?
We don't recommend it. Four of the five are rated to 10 bar (100m) and the Presage Cocktail Time HCB006 to 5 bar (50m). Watch Direct recommends a 200m watch with a screw-down crown for swimming and diving.
Is the 145th anniversary Rotocall the same as the original?
It's based on the Rotocall, which Seiko first introduced in 1982 and recreated in 2025. The anniversary HFL001 keeps the rotary switch for the alarm, timer and stopwatch, and adds a purple bezel, an all-black case and bracelet, and gold-coloured accents.
What warranty do the Seiko 145th anniversary watches have?
Seiko watches bought from Watch Direct come with Seiko's 3-year manufacturer's warranty.
Authorised Retailer
Why buy your Seiko from Watch Direct?
We've been an authorised Australian watch retailer since 2011. Every watch comes with the manufacturer's warranty, free standard shipping Australia-wide and 30-day returns.
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