Emerging in the early 1900s, the barrel-shaped tonneau case was the first real departure from circular pocket watches and wristwatches that were all but ubiquitous since effectively the dawn of timetelling devices. Always a mark of elegance, if not avant garde, the tonneau is seldom used in the industry today, but hasn’t disappeared entirely. Brands like Cartier, who’s credited with popularizing the style over a century ago, still view it as part of their identity. However, Seiko has rarely seen a tonneau-shaped watch in its lineup in the 21st century at all.
Upon the relaunch of their Presage line in 2016, the Japanese watchmaker decided to debut vintage-style timepieces a year later in their Presage Classic series, which initially included a 40.6mm tonneau watch. Since then, the tonneau has been relatively nonexistent in the collection, until now.
Enamel Excellence
In true Seiko fashion, the SPB537 is bringing back a discontinued case shape with one of the most labor-intensive dial techniques in watchmaking. Master artisan Mitsuru Yokosawa and his apprentice Kazunori Uchiyama have crafted a white enamel dial that requires repeated high-temperature firings, with each imperfection painstakingly removed by hand. The result is a surface that catches light differently than lacquer or paint ever could.
The dial design pulls directly from Seiko’s 1895 Timekeeper pocket watch, featuring stark black Roman numerals and a period-correct railway minute track. At 6 o’clock, a 24-hour subdial that the aesthetic of a small seconds dial, while blued steel hands add a traditional touch that contrasts beautifully against the white enamel backdrop.
The Case for Tonneau
At 35.9mm wide and 46mm lug-to-lug with a 12.5mm thickness, the SPB537’s tonneau shape will allow it to ear larger than a comparable round case would. Over the dial sits a dual-curved sapphire crystal, meanwhile short lyre lugs give it a decidedly vintage character.
Inside is Seiko’s workhorse 6R5H automatic movement with a 72-hour power reserve and that 24-hour indicator. Rated to 50m of water resistance, the dress watch is adorned with a five-row steel bracelet with polished center links and a three-fold clasp.
Spec Sheet
Model: Seiko Presage Classic Series SPB537
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Size: 35.9mm
Lug-to-Lug: 46mm
Case Thickness: 12.5mm
Movement: Seiko Caliber 6R5H automatic
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Water Resistance: 50m
Crystal: Dual-curved sapphire with anti-reflective coating
Dial: White enamel with Roman numerals and 24-hour subdial
Bracelet: Five-row stainless steel with three-fold clasp
Price: $1,600
Limited Edition?: No
Pricing & Availability
Not limited in production size, the Presage Classic SPB537 will be available from February 2026 at Seiko Boutiques and select retailers worldwide for $1,600.
Recap
Seiko Presage Classic Series Enamel Dial SPB537 Tonneau
Seiko’s bringing back the tonneau case to its Presage line with the SPB537, pairing that vintage barrel shape with a hand-crafted white enamel dial that references their 1895 Timekeeper pocket watch.
