Seiko’s New Anime-Inspired Watch Has a Bright Blue Dial and Tons of Hidden Details – Esquire Singapore
Seiko’s New Anime-Inspired Watch Has a Bright Blue Dial and Tons of Hidden Details
The sporty chronograph pays homage to the beloved series One Piece—and Japanese bullet trains, too
BY
Lily-Rose Morris-Zumin
Published: 24 August 2026
Many great things have come out of Japan. There’s Seiko, of course, which has been making watches since the late 19th century. Then came the Shinkansen, the world’s first high-speed railway—yes, we’re talking about the famous bullet trains—connecting Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, in 1964. And, a few decades later, the celebrated manga and anime series One Piece. Now, finally, someone has decided all three belong together.
The result is the new Japan-exclusive Seiko One Piece Shinkansen Watch Setouchi Blue Model, a limited-edition chronograph inspired by one of the country’s specially decorated One Piece bullet trains.
Yes, there is quite a lot going on here. Allow us to explain. One Piece Shinkansen is a fleet of One Piece–themed bullet trains launched last year by JR West to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sanyo Shinkansen, which runs between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. The there are three different train designs in total, including the “Setouchi Blue” train that inspired this watch. The blue gradient dial echoes Setouchi Blue’s exterior, while a wave pattern taken from the side of the Shinkansen appears across the two upper sub-dials.
Look a little closer and the One Piece references appear. The Jolly Roger of the series’ Straw Hat Pirates sits inside the small-seconds sub-dial, there’s a tiny version of protagonist Monkey D. Luffy’s straw hat at one o’clock, and the chronograph seconds hand has been shaped to reference Luffy and an anchor. A gold-coloured marker at the 50-minute position, meanwhile, nods to the Sanyo Shinkansen’s half-century anniversary.
It even gets a little theatrical in the dark. Seiko has coated the hour and minute hands with its LumiBrite luminous material, while four glowing details beneath the Seiko logo are designed to mimic the headlights of a Shinkansen. A little smaller than the real thing, admittedly, but considerably easier to fit on your wrist.
Underneath all the anime detailing is a fairly practical Seiko chronograph. The stainless-steel watch measures 39.8mm across and 12.8mm thick, uses a quartz movement rated to +/− 15 seconds per month, and offers 10-bar water resistance. A curved Hardlex crystal sits over the dial.
Flip it over and the caseback is engraved with the One Piece Shinkansen logo and an individual edition number. Just 5,000 are being made, each arriving in a treasure-chest style presentation box complete with artwork from the railway collaboration and an illustrated guarantee card.
The watch went on sale in Japan on 17 August through Premico, with deliveries expected to begin in mid-January 2027. So, if your Venn diagram of interests happens to include One Piece, watches, and very fast trains, Seiko has made something alarmingly specific just for you (and 4,999 others).
