Seiko’s 145th-anniversary Edo Purple collection is not one watch in a new colour. It is five very different watches using the same dark violet palette and gold-coloured details: the Astron HAB011, Alpinist HBC006, Speedtimer HBJ005, Presage HCB006 and Seiko 5 Sports HDB003. All are limited editions scheduled for October 2026.

Edo purple, five ways

Edo purple is a traditional Japanese colour associated with historic Tokyo, once called Edo. Here, Seiko uses it with more restraint than the name “purple anniversary” might suggest. Dials shift between violet and near-black, while the gold-coloured accents give every model some warmth without making them look like birthday decorations.

Astron HAB011: the technical flagship

The HAB011J1 is the high-tech member of the Edo Purple collection. Image: Seiko.

The HAB011 is the outlier because its 5X83 GPS Solar calibre receives time and time-zone information from satellites. It combines dual time, a 1/20-second chronograph, a perpetual calendar and 38-city world time in a 43.3mm titanium case. The ceramic-and-titanium bezel and dual-curved sapphire crystal help it look properly finished rather than merely busy. It is limited to 2,000 pieces worldwide. Seiko has confirmed Japanese pricing, but no U.S. price yet.

The graduated purple dial and ceramic centre bracelet links set the Astron apart. Image: Seiko.

Alpinist HBC006: compact and capable

The HBC006J brings Edo Purple to the Alpinist’s compact case and leather strap. Image: Seiko.

At 39.5mm wide, 46.4mm lug to lug and 12.7mm thick, the Alpinist is the smallest mechanical model here. The purple stitching on its black leather strap is a quiet touch, while the internal compass ring and two crowns keep the familiar Alpinist character. Its 6R55 automatic movement runs for 72 hours, and the 20-bar water resistance, sapphire crystal and inner anti-reflective coating make this the one I would worry least about on a rainy day. It is limited to 7,000 pieces.

The inner compass scale sits beneath the Alpinist’s sapphire crystal. Image: Seiko.

Speedtimer HBJ005: the chronograph deserves its own chapter

The HBJ005 is not a small add-on to this collection. It is a Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph with a completely different character from the Alpinist or Presage: steel bracelet, tachymeter bezel, proper pushers and three black sub-dials. The pale purple dial could have been a gimmick, but the black bezel and sub-dials keep it focused.

A straight-on view of the HBJ005’s purple dial, black sub-dials and tachymeter scale. Image: Seiko.

The V192 solar calibre runs the chronograph, 24-hour hand and power-reserve indicator, so daylight powers it instead of a disposable battery. At 41.4mm wide and 13mm thick, it has more presence than the Alpinist but it is not enormous. A curved sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating and 10-bar water resistance give it the practical details a Speedtimer needs.

The angled image makes the brushed case, pushers and purple tachymeter segment easier to see. Image: Seiko.

The purple changes from a soft, almost silvery lavender to a stronger violet around the edge, while the gold-coloured hands prevent the black sub-dials from taking over. It is limited to 8,000 pieces and is priced at $750 in the United States. That makes it the practical surprise of the collection: a proper solar chronograph rather than a purple dial pasted onto a familiar case.

A three-quarter view of the HBJ005 shows the bracelet, stepped case and chronograph pushers. Image: Seiko.

Presage HCB006: a cocktail with a GMT hand

The HCB006J combines Cocktail Time’s radial dial with a GMT display. Image: Seiko.

The Presage HCB006 is inspired by the “Edo Purple” cocktail created by Hisashi Kishi of Tokyo’s STAR BAR. Its 4R34 automatic GMT movement gives the 40.5mm watch a second time zone, date and 41-hour power reserve. The purple radial dial, gold-coloured flecks and long GMT hand make the connection clear without making it feel like a drink menu on the wrist. This is the most polished watch of the group, though the box-shaped Hardlex crystal and 5-bar water resistance are less robust than the Alpinist or Speedtimer. It is limited to 6,000 and costs $625 in the U.S.

The Presage HCB006J and the Edo Purple cocktail that inspired its dial. Image: Seiko.

Seiko 5 Sports HDB003: the tougher purple option

The HDB003J frames its purple dial with a black rotating bezel. Image: Seiko.

The HDB003 puts the anniversary dial in the 42.5mm Seiko 5 Sports SKX case. Its black bezel, tall rectangular indexes and steel bracelet make it the more traditionally masculine choice, but the purple dial stops it becoming too severe. The 4R36 automatic calibre has day-date display, hand-winding, stop seconds and around 41 hours of power reserve. With 10-bar water resistance and a curved Hardlex crystal, it is the most casual option here. It is limited to 9,999 pieces and priced at $450 in the U.S.

A closer view of the Seiko 5 Sports dial, bezel and gold-coloured details. Image: Seiko.

Conclusion

The Alpinist is still my favourite. It has the best balance of size, 72-hour movement, 20-bar water resistance and sapphire crystal, with a design that does not depend on the anniversary colour to work. The Presage comes second because its cocktail story genuinely suits the dial and the GMT is useful. The Speedtimer is the practical choice for someone who wants a solar chronograph with sapphire and a proper tachymeter. The Astron is the full technical statement, with satellite timekeeping and titanium, but its 43.3mm case makes it the most specialised piece here. The Seiko 5 Sports is more masculine, but it looks good as well and remains the easy entry point at $450. Seiko has made purple feel like a shared idea here, not a copied paint job.