Seiko LJAK601 4S28-5010 "Swiss" Laurel

Model: Seiko Laurel LJAK601 / 4S28-5010

Year: April 1996

Features:

The Theme. This is a wild departure from the LJAK600 and LJAK602, but I’m here for it. While the Breguet hands remain, Seiko wasn’t messing around between variants: the markers, dial structure, dial texture, and colour have all been drastically altered. The navy ribbon dial almost looks like a cosy wool knit - and I mean that in the best way possible. I’ll happily declare this to be the most quaint and charming of the three - and it’s certainly the rarest of the three.

The History. In the early 1910s, K. Hattori & Co. began importing Swiss calibres, likely from A. Schild, and fitting them with their own enamel dials and cases. These Swiss-Japanese hybrids bore the Laurel name for a decade, until a devastating earthquake in 1923 destroyed Kintarō Hattori’s Seikosha factory. When the factory was rebuilt a year later, Hattori honoured its workers by changing the name of the watches to Seiko.

The Influence. Hattori’s 1913 Japanese-made enamel dial is dripping with Swiss influence, because, frankly put, it’s all the world knew at the time. Your choice of watch was Swiss or Swiss. But Hattori hoped to changed that, and piece by piece he did. It would take 43 years, but Seiko eventually produced their own in-house movement, and now they’re arguably the most vertically integrated, or “in-house” across all sectors, watch company in the world. They grow their own quartz crystals - what more do you want? 

The Design. The similarities between the 1913 Laurel and the 1995 Laurel are obvious: Breguet indices, elegant blued hands, small seconds subdial - while the tonneau case is absent, the onion crown is there. The Swiss motifs, as seen in the 1995 LJAK600, aren’t a casual design choice - it’s a historical reference to Seiko’s origin story as a watch company. 

The Metals. Despite its historical connections, the LJAK600 stands strong on its own merits. The case is solid 925 Silver - it’s a deep-value piece that is granted an affordable price point due to its relative obscurity. 

The Movement. The movement powering it is the 28,800bph "Hi-Beat," part of Seiko’s iconic 4S family. With the LJAK600, you’re not forced to choose between form and function - it’s as sharp in performance as it is on the wrist.

Specifications:

Condition: In very good condition overall. Minor marks can be seen on the 925 Silver bezel and case. Nothing troubling or particularly noticeable. On the original strap. 

Scope: Box or papers

Movement: 4S28 Manual Wind 28800bhp, 24 Jewels

Dimensions:

• Case Width: 34.0mm
• Lug to Lug: 43.0mm
• Case Thickness: 9.8mm
• Lug Width: 18.0mm