Bonsai might not be the most obvious place to look for a watch dial, but Seiko has turned the bark of an ageing pine tree into the main feature of its latest Presage.
The HCC009J1 was created with Japanese collective TRADMAN’S BONSAI and takes inspiration from a black pine bonsai glowing in the moonlight. According to Seiko, the Matsuba green dial uses S-shaped curves inspired by ancient pine bark, adding depth as the light moves across it.
There is some meaning behind the colour as well, with Matsuba green traditionally associated with good fortune. Pine trees also have a wider connection to the design, as their ability to stay evergreen through harsh conditions has long made them a symbol of resilience and longevity.
Surrounding that dial is a 38mm stainless steel case with a gold-coloured coating, matched by a similarly finished bracelet. Gold-toned hands and hour markers continue the warmer look, while a dual-curved sapphire crystal sits above the dial. The case measures 12.9mm thick and offers 100 metres of water resistance.
Seiko also includes an additional leather strap, which brings another small reference to the bonsai theme. Its underside features an embossed sanko-matsu pine-needle motif, giving owners a subtler reminder of the tree that inspired the watch.
Inside is Seiko’s automatic 6R51 movement, running at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) with a 72-hour power reserve. A transparent case back lets you see the movement at work, while each watch carries its own number as part of the limited production run.
Only 2,000 examples will be made worldwide, so this one will not be sticking around indefinitely. Seiko’s UK store lists the HCC009J1 at £1,250 (approx. $1,690), with availability beginning on September 1, 2026.
Presage watches often draw on Japanese art and design, but recreating the uneven texture of an ageing pine gives this model a particularly unusual connection to nature.