I wrote about the KING SEIKO VANAC when they launched the revival. It is a cool design, with an integrated bracelet (just an Illusion), but on a saturated market that seems suffocating at this moment. The colors are good, look nice, the quality is there but I still felt that the price of $3300 is too much. And I still think the same.
The VANAC line has been some kind of wild child for SEIKO, the rest of the lineup stick to a clean, conservatory design, while VANAC is going crazy with the 1972 design having sharp angles and shiny metal.
As I said, last year Seiko brought back the VANAC and turned it into a proper sports watch with a bezel-less case, tons of facets and a new movement. Apparently Seiko hasn’t changed much on this model, but they listened to the complaints and took action. The watch is now lighter.
Same KING Seiko VANAC but 64 grams lighter
They added three new references, the HKF001, HKF002 and HKF003, they have the same shape like last year models, meaning the same 41mm case, 14.3mm thickness and the same 45.1mm lug-to-lug. Nothing changed here and I think it’s for the best.
What changed is the material they use. So for this year, we have grade 5 titanium instead of steel and that alone makes the watch lighter with 64 grams. New models now weigh 128 grams and to be honest, for a watch with these dimensions makes a real difference on the wrist.
The choice of Titanium is perfect for the VANAC because the watch has a lot of exposed metal like case flanks, angular shoulders and a bracelet that goes straight into the case with no gap at all. Steel makes all of that look imposing and heavy. Titanium on the other hand, keeps the same presence but with a reduced weight. And the grey tone from titanium, make the mix of brushed and polished surfaces stand out more.
One thing I should mention here though, the bracelet looks integrated but in fact it’s not. It’s just an Illusion, it looks integrated because the links follow the same horizontal lines as the case, but in reality it has quick-release spring bars. So technically not integrated, just perfect at hiding it. A beautiful magician trick
The Dial Looks like a glamour from the 70’s but something changed from the previous version
This is the visual change that is easy to see. Last year the KING SEIKO VANAC came with horizontal strips on the dial. The new titanium versions have a second pattern radiating outward from the center. Seiko stated that the look is meant to evoke the scenery you see on highways when you look at Tokyo’s skyline at night. Ok, sure…
Now KING SEIKO VANAC Titanium comes in three colors. You have the purple on the HKF001, grey on the HKF002 and black on HKF003. All of the three models have lume filled hands and markers, the date window which is positioned at 3 o’clock and the V branding at 12 o’clock.
The hour markers now stretch further across the minute track than before. One thing I need to add the Purple HKF001 was picked by GPHG Academy as one of the six watches in the 2026 “Challenge” category. A cool thing for a watch that was designed 50 years ago.
A Blue Limited edition watch comes along with the 3 new models
We have the three titanium models, but SEIKO decided to release a steel anniversary piece, the HKF004 and it was launched to mark 145 years since Kintaro Hattori opened his shop in 1881 that will eventually became SEIKO.
Unfortunately, on this model we have the heavier steel casse and the simple horizontal-striped dial, just like last year launch. The dial is silver-white, but has a blue index ring and the hands are finished in the same blue. Seiko calls this “Seiko Blue”, a shade used by the company since 1960.
On the back you have a blue King Seiko shield etched onto the sapphire caseback and of course a Limited Edition mark. They will make only 800 pieces.
Honestly, for a limited special edition, going to steel is a step back, I think they should have used titanium in order to keep it light. But the combination of colors on the dial makes this model the most beautiful one from the lineup.
KING SEIKO VANAC Titanium has the same movement like last year
All four watches, KING SEIKO VANAC Titanium, and the steel version have the same automatic Caliber 8L45 that debuted last year in the VANAC collection. It has a 72 hour power reserve which I appreciate a lot. The accuracy rate sits at +10 to -5 seconds per day which is on Grand Seiko territory for a non-Spring Drive movement.
It has a screw down crown, 100 meters of water resistance and this makes this watch a piece that was made to be worn and not care about it.
Would I buy it?
As I said when I wrote the article about the first launch, I think it’s too expensive, I always think about the fact that it’s a Seiko. I know, it’s just me, but this is how I feel. And from all models they launched until now from this line, the only one that looks good to me is the Limited Edition one. Due to the combination of colors of course.
It is a good watch, with good specifications and a splendid movement, but not something to make me wanna pay that much money.
There are models launched by Seiko, like Seiko Pressage HCC005 and HCC006 which look good and have some serious craftsmanship behind that are half the price of King Seiko Vanac titanium. If you want a diver, you can always choose the Seiko Prospex 1968 Heritage Diver GMT which costs less than King Seiko Vanac Titanium and it looks really good.
Don’t get me wrong, KING SEIKO VANAC Titanium looks good, quality is there, but it doesn’t speak to me like other models from Seiko do.
King Seiko VANAC Titanium (HKF001 / HKF002 / HKF003) Specs
| Spec | Details |
| Movement | Caliber 8L45, automatic |
| Power reserve | 72 hours |
| Accuracy | +10 to -5 seconds per day |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Case diameter | 41mm |
| Case thickness | 14.3mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 45.1mm |
| Case material | Grade 5 titanium |
| Weight | Approx. 128g |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Crown | Screw-down |
| Water resistance | 100m (10 bar) |
| Dial colors | Purple (HKF001), grey (HKF002), black (HKF003) |
| Dial pattern | Horizontal stripes plus radial pattern from center |
| Lume | LumiBrite on hands and markers |
| Bracelet | Titanium, three-fold push-button clasp, quick-release spring bars |
| Price | $4,221 (SGD 5,450) |
King Seiko 145th Anniversary VANAC (HKF004) Specs
| Spec | Details |
| Movement | Caliber 8L45, automatic |
| Power reserve | 72 hours |
| Accuracy | +10 to -5 seconds per day |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Case diameter | 41mm |
| Case thickness | 14.3mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 45.1mm |
| Case material | Stainless steel |
| Crystal | Sapphire, with blue King Seiko shield engraving on caseback |
| Crown | Screw-down |
| Water resistance | 100m (10 bar) |
| Dial | Silver-white with horizontal stripes, Seiko Blue index ring and blue hands |
| Lume | LumiBrite on hands and markers |
| Bracelet | Stainless steel, push-button deployment clasp, quick-release spring bars |
| Limited edition | 800 pieces, individually numbered |
| Price | $3,589 (SGD 4,632.50) |
More info on the watches can be found on official website
*prices are converted and there might be a small difference when it comes to actual price in USD
