Seiko Spring Drive Moonphase SAEA011 / 5R67-0AC0

Model: Seiko Spring Drive Moonphase SAEA011 /  5R67-0AC0 Ananta

Year: May 2010

Features:

The Collection. Unveiled at Baselworld in 2009, the Ananta line formed part of Seiko’s new Elite Collection. A brash name perhaps, but an important moment for the brand, as this marked the first time Seiko sold their high-end watches both domestically and internationally. You have to assume the international sales numbers were encouraging, as Seiko began officially marketing Grand Seiko overseas for the first time just one year later. 

The Name. Ananta means Endless or Infinite in Sanskrit - and the name was carefully chosen by Seiko as it represented the directive given to the designers. They were tasked with building any type of watch, with any type of movement, in any shape or style they deemed interesting. The results were, as you might expect, delightfully strange.

The Case. The case shape is called Katana. It was built with a focus on strong curves and sharp edges, resulting in one of the most distinctive Seiko case designs of the modern era. But it’s not just stylistically imposing - at 45mm wide and 14.5mm tall, it’s also physically imposing. Not for the faint-wristed.

The Caseback. Flip the watch over to reveal a caseback that looks like it belongs to a monocoque diver - but the inclusion of a sapphire viewing window immediately dispels that notion. And what a great choice that was as the 5R67 Spring Drive has been impressively finished. Echoing the Katana theme, curved Geneva stripes sweep across both the rotor and the central bridge. Embodying the sharp edge of a blade, the resulting effect is noticeably more dynamic under light than traditional Geneva striping.

The Movement. The movement itself is obviously unusual - a Moonphase Spring Drive. Regular readers will no doubt have seen this complication in a handful of Credors, but outside of those Credors and three Seikos (this one included), no other watches have been blessed with this type of movement. And perhaps as a small nod to the models that came before it, the SAEA011 uses the iconic crescent-moon second hand typically reserved for Credors.

Specifications:

Condition: In great condition. No marks of any real significance.

Scope: Original tag and papers, but no box

Movement: 5R67 Automatic Spring Drive 

Dimensions:

• Case Width: 44.0mm
• Lug to Lug: 50.1mm
• Case Thickness: 14.5mm