When Pigs Still Dominated the Air – Seiko Presage Porco Rosso LE

It’s no secret that Seiko likes to produce limited editions, and those who visit us regularly can certainly confirm this. Usually one looks for inspiration in the picturesque nature surrounding the studios of the (Grand) Seiko Artisans, or in this year’s particularly rich anniversary calendar. The Seiko Presage Porco Rosso Collaboration is a little out of the ordinary, as the line takes its inspiration from a red pig (the titular Porco Rosso), who film fans surely know from the world-famous Hayao Miyazaki movie from Studio Ghibli.

Spring Drive in Snow White

Seiko’s strategy of opening up the Presage range in terms of price continues with this edition: both watches have a handmade enamel dial, and the white SNR047J1 even has the state-of-the-art Spring Drive movement installed, which is considered the ultimate movement for many Seiko fans. The white dial has the typical design of a pilot’s watch with large, easy to read hour markers, which fits perfectly with the history of Porco Rosso. After all, the eponymous pig is the pilot of a red seaplane and fights against, among other things, flying pirates over the Adriatic Sea in the early 20th century.

The pilot’s watch also features a diameter of 40mm. The references to the film can be found in several places: Both the red R and the sign, which can be seen on the rudder of the airplane, were integrated into the dial. Also the red croco strap is sewn in the colours of the Italian flag, and the case side carries the inscription of the aircraft name “Savoia S-21″. It gets even better: enscribed on the reverse of the case is ”un maiale che non vola è solo un maiale” (“A pig that does not fly is just a pig too”).

Chronograph in Deep Black

The second watch of the bunch is a chronograph. Here you can see the pilot’s watch DNA even more consistently via the black dial and the triangle as an index at 12 o’clock. Also, the small dial for the seconds (the totalizer), is decorated with the colours of the Italian flag. The case, appropriately enough for the use of a stopwatch in clunky pilot gloves, has grown to 42mm in diameter. Consequently, a telemeter scale has been applied to the dial of this model, allowing experienced pilots to measure distances in conjunction with the stopwatch. In times before GPS, radar and glass cockpits, navigation was a challenge not to be underestimated. The croco strap, again with coloured seams, is mounted in black to this watch.

Both watches come in a beautiful, light wooden box for presentation and an additional bracelet in an alternative colour is also included.

If you’ve tasted blood now, you should scrape together your savings and pre-order them from your trusted Seiko dealer: the SNR047J1 will be available from June for € 5,800 only in 500 pieces, the SRQ033J1 for € 4,100 will have a maximum of 600 buyers.

If you’re not a fan of flying pigs, you can also visit us right now – no matter if Seiko or Grand Seiko, we have a few models you’ll surely like.