For 2020, Seiko has created a new Presage timepiece with a black Urushi dial made by applying multiple layers of lacquer made from the sap of the Urushi tree. The result is a glossy deep black color, which is the origin of the word “shikkoku” (Urushi black).

The Seiko Presage “Urushi” SJE081J1 comes in a conservatively sized 39.5 mm x 10.9 mm stainless steel case (46.9 mm lug-to-lug). Driving the hours, minutes, seconds, and date is automatic caliber 6L35 which has 26 jewels, manual winding, stop-seconds (hacking), and a 45-hour power reserve.

Protecting the dial is a slightly domed sapphire crystal. The caseback is screwed-in. The watch is listed as splash resistant which means it is not actually water-resistant and should never be submerged in water.

Both the Urushi multi-layer lacquering of the dial and the Maki-e painting technique used for the gold 12 o’clock index and white indices — are done by hand, and this means there will be slight differences in each watch.

Retail price is not listed but a comparable past model was priced at $1,100.

Learn more at Seiko.