Vampire-Exclusive Watch

Generally speaking, you put on your watch in the morning when you head out, and take it off in the evening when you return home. However, in today’s diverse society, there are many who go about their lives at night. But who would use a watch only during the night? When you think of such a person, one figure comes to mind—a creature who sleeps in a coffin during the day to avoid the sun’s rays, and emerges to carry out their activities under the moonlight... Yes, we’re talking about the solitary existence of the vampire.

If a vampire ventures out at day, mistakenly thinking that 9 a.m. is 9 p.m., it could prove fatal. To clearly distinguish between day and night and keep track of their time, a 24-hour hand (instead of the usual 12-hour hand) was necessary. The dial only displays the time between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning, tailored specifically for the vampire's nocturnal lifestyle. Additionally, the rotating bezel features colored stones with a gradient of hues, visually representing how much time has passed since the last blood-sucking. This subtle detail alludes to the vampire’s thirst, suggesting, “It’s about time to go and suck blood...”

• The daytime hours (VIII [8 a.m.] to XVI [4 p.m.]) that vampires detest are obscured with semi-transparent ink. The "3 NIGHTS" drive mechanism ensures the watch movement keeps running, even if you spend two entire days of the weekend in a coffin.
• If you rotate the bezel and set the deepest red crystal glass to the day you consumed blood, you can instantly see how much your current blood supply has depleted. Of course, it also includes a reverse rotation prevention function.

In terms of design, I focused on giving the watch a sense of dignity befitting a vampire. One theory suggests that Count Dracula was inspired by a 15th-century European monarch. To evoke a medieval European aesthetic, I incorporated dimensional decorative hands that exude a graceful elegance—a feature often seen in antique pocket watches—and adorned the deep red dial, reminiscent of blood, with a pattern that matches this aesthetic. The leather strap, made from a blend of materials, subtly incorporates bat motifs, representing the vampire’s loyal followers. At first glance, it appears to be a refined jewelry watch, but every detail holds the essence of a vampire, gradually drawing you in. I dedicate this beautiful and mysterious timepiece to the modern vampire.

Expert’s Comments

Vampirologist,
Doctor of Letters (Kyoto University),
Lecturer at Ritsumeikan UniversityDr. Daichi Moriguchi

A Watch for Vampires? When I first heard about it, I was surprised, but after hearing the explanation, I found it to be a fascinating project. It's brimming with ideas that would never occur to a researcher with a conventional mindset.
Vampires were originally just one of the many creatures in Eastern and Southern European folklore. It's only in recent history that they've taken on the image we recognize today. The classic vampire didn't have the “showy” features we now associate with them—a sophisticated style, the black and red color scheme, sharp fangs, and so on. In this watch, the designer has skillfully woven a narrative, merging his personal interpretation of vampires with the familiar modern image. While I think the design could have been even more playful, its refined elegance, fitting even for formal occasions, exudes the luxury that Seiko is known for.
If you try to define vampires too academically, you’ll lose the creative freedom needed to make a watch like this. I say we should fully enjoy the richness of its "vampire-ness" without getting caught up in what the experts might say!

Designer

Yu Ishihara

Ishihara joined Seiko in 2003 and has been a key member of the design team for Prospex and Grand Seiko since 2014. He is currently serving as the Design Director, overseeing the development and design of high-end models.