Watches / Collection notes
Seiko’s Edo Purple collection: A strong idea, difficult prices
Four distinct personalities, one shared colour. My favourite is the Alpinist; the question is whether the design justifies the price.
Updated 25 October 2026
In short: Edo Purple is the colour and design theme of Seiko’s 145th anniversary series. Here I compare four watches from Prospex Alpinist, Presage, Seiko 5 Sports and Astron. The interest, for me, is in how each model interprets the colour, rather than a claim of a new movement.
In Seiko’s 145th anniversary presentation, Edo purple is linked to Edo, the former name of Tokyo. The colour gives these watches a shared identity. To me, this is where the series succeeds: purple has not been applied in exactly the same way to every model, but interpreted according to each watch’s character.
One colour, different personalities
My favourite is the Alpinist. Its prominent numerals, inner compass ring and twin-crown case already make it one of my favourite Seiko designs. The purple dial brings that character into sharper focus. Presage offers a more elegant interpretation; its lustrous dial and gold-coloured details represent the dressier side of the collection. Seiko 5 Sports brings the same idea to a more everyday watch. In the Astron, purple meets GPS solar technology in a larger, more technical-looking case.
Design innovation or technical innovation?
It helps to distinguish design innovation from technical innovation. The official Seiko 5 Sports specifications, for example, list the familiar 4R36 automatic movement. What stands out to me in these four models is the colour and cultural story given to existing watches. I value that, but a “limited edition” label alone would not persuade me to buy.
Turkish prices: Where the decision gets harder
The prices complicate my decision, too. According to Turkish list prices on 16 October 2026, the Seiko 5 Sports is TRY 32,895, the Presage TRY 46,595, my favourite Alpinist TRY 75,195 and the Astron TRY 191,395. I find some models in this collection expensive. When looking at the Alpinist in particular, my love of the design sits alongside my reservations about the price.
| Model | Reference | List price |
|---|---|---|
| Seiko 5 Sports | HDB003K1 | TRY 32,895 |
| Presage | HCB006J1 | TRY 46,595 |
| Alpinist | HBC006J1 | TRY 75,195 |
| Astron | HAB011J1 | TRY 191,395 |
List prices may change; retailer prices may differ.
My choice
I still consider Edo Purple a successful collection. It does not feel like different watches randomly painted the same colour; it translates Seiko’s Japanese heritage into a clear design idea. My choice would be the Alpinist. Before buying, though, I would want to see the colour on my wrist and decide whether the price makes sense for me.
Alperen.
Sources & images
Seiko 145th anniversary collection · Seiko 5 Sports · Presage HCB006J1 · Alpinist HBC006J1 · Astron HAB011J1
Product images: Seiko Watch Corporation, 145th anniversary collection presentation. Image rights belong to their respective owners. This article is a personal assessment of the collection, not a hands-on review. Translated from the original Turkish article.