Seiko turns 145 this year, and the brand is celebrating the only way it knows how: by drowning collectors in commemorative limited editions. And while we’ve already covered a handful of them, the latest drop pulls from one of the more overlooked corners of the King Seiko archive; the Vanac sub-collection. A watch that only returned to the lineup last year after a fifty-year hiatus.
In case you missed the 2025 revival, the Vanac was essentially a 1970s oddity. It’s outfitted with an angular, faceted, integrated bracelet that has a really unique feel. Now it gets the anniversary treatment with the new HKF004.
What Makes a Vanac a Vanac
Unsurprisingly, the case here is the same one Seiko brought back in 2025: a 41mm bezel-less stainless steel design with sharp facets, mixed brushing and polishing, and a profile. Lug-to-lug measurements come in at a tight 45.1mm and thickness sits at 14.3mm, but it’s worth noting that the box-type sapphire crystal is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here.
Two details give the Vanac its name in plain sight. And, for those unfamiliar, it’s the 12 o’clock index and the seconds-hand counterweight are both shaped like a “V.”
Seiko Blue, Finally Explained
The headline change for the HKF004 is the dial. Silver-white base, horizontal stripe texture, and a vivid blue ring around the perimeter holding the hour markers and date window. The hands match the ring in a slightly lighter, more vibrant blue, and Lumibrite fills the indices for low-light legibility.
Blue has been the name of the game here for Seiko’s birthday, but there’s a bit more to that story. Seiko Blue traces back to the 1960s as one of the brand’s signature shades, so it only makes sense Seiko would lean so heavily into the shades of blue.
The Movement Earns Its Keep
Flip it over and the sapphire caseback shows off the Caliber 8L45. The 8L45 is based on Grand Seiko’s 9S65, runs at 28,800 vph, holds 72 hours of power reserve, and is rated at +10/-5 seconds per day. That’s the tightest accuracy spec you’ll find on any mechanical Seiko outside of Grand Seiko itself.
There’s also a blue King Seiko shield logo on the caseback, lifted from the original 1960s emblem.
Spec Sheet
Brand: King Seiko
Model: Vanac 145th Anniversary Limited Edition
Reference: HKF004
Case Size: 41mm
Thickness: 14.3mm
Lug-to-Lug: 45.1mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Box-shaped sapphire with anti-reflective coating
Movement: Seiko Caliber 8L45 automatic
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Accuracy: +10 to -5 seconds per day
Water Resistance: 100m
Bracelet: Integrated stainless steel with push-button deployment clasp
Limited Edition: Yes, 800 pieces
Pricing & Availability
The King Seiko Vanac HKF004 lands in July 2026 at $3,300, limited to 800 pieces worldwide and available through Seiko boutiques and select retailers. Head over to Seiko’s website to learn more.
Recap
King Seiko Vanac HKF004 145th Anniversary Limited Edition
Seiko revives its faceted 1970s Vanac for an anniversary one-off, dressing it in a Seiko Blue index ring, a 1960s shield caseback, and the 8L45 movement that’s basically a Grand Seiko 9S65 in disguise.
