Beloved for Generations: How Ryohei Suzuki and the King Seiko VANAC Endure

7 min readA fresh look, crafted from titaniumLast summer, more than fifty years after it was first launched by Seiko, a new VANAC hit the scene with the same boldness of color and design, but with its eyes set on the future. This thoroughly modern wristwatch garnered acclaim for its "Tokyo Horizon" concept, a design ethos that underscores a deep connection to the city. This year, three titanium models join the series, opening up more possibilities than ever.Teruo Horikoshi（TRON）Watches from left: "HKF001," "HKF002," and "HKF003," $3,850 each (All by King Seiko)Before we sing the praises of the reborn VANAC, let's touch upon its history. The VANAC hit the scene in 1972, a time when the King Seiko collection was riding high, imbuing the line with vivid colors and a striking design sensibility. These watches stood out as a defined presence in an often dizzying and blurry market.Teruo Horikoshi（TRON）Launched in 1972, the original VANAC series featured a number of daringly original case designs characterized by sharp lines, colored dials, and faceted crystals.The 'Grown-Up' VANAC Is Perfect for Life on the GoFeast your eyes on "The Newest Classic." Behind the revival of the VANAC series is King Seiko's motto: "Timeless Style." That's why the brand's design team chose a form that would both shine today and withstand the test of time.This new VANAC looks magnificent on actor Ryohei Suzuki. As it turns out, he's a King Seiko lover who owns two vintage models, including the very first, from 1961.Teruo Horikoshi（TRON）Watch "HKF002" $3,850 KING SEIKO jacket, shirt, pants, shoes (all by Lemaire), T-shirt (Sunspel)"The refined design went straight to the heart for me. That original aesthetic shines through. Just the right blend of boldness and restraint," says Suzuki. Born of mutual respect, the brand's partnership with Suzuki benefits from shared philosophies aimed at the future.What was Suzuki's first reaction? "This is the VANAC for grown-ups!" As someone with a deep knowledge of the series and its history, he thoroughly appreciated what makes the titanium model special. Call it love at first sight."I love how the stainless steel VANAC echoes the original 1970s model in its ambitious design. We get the message loud and clear: the VANAC is on a mission. This titanium model keeps the sharp look of the past, but it tweaks the details for a milder appearance and a mature presentation. That's why I called it the VANAC for grown-ups."A quick note on what makes this different from the stainless steel model. First, of course, is the material. Titanium has a distinctive matte gray finish. Though stronger than stainless steel, it can be exceedingly difficult to polish. Another notable difference is the design of the dial.By layering a radial pattern extending from the center over horizontal stripes, the dial expresses the exhilarating sensation of racing along Tokyo's highways toward a sweeping horizon. The index ring is minimalist, contributing to the chic presentation."As much as I love the boldness of the stainless steel version, this model works in a variety of professional and everyday scenarios. The light titanium case is another plus, while the clasp makes it easy to put on."Teruo Horikoshi（TRON）Watch "HKF002" $3,850 (King Seiko)Leave it to a watch lover to consider specifics like the feel of a clasp. Suzuki was quick to point out the one-push, three-fold construction."This is a great travel watch, too. Not only is it light, but it is made of a material that is less likely to cause metal allergies compared to other metals. Then there's the price point. This is a versatile watch that would work with all kinds of different outfits. For someone like me, who's careful that his watches don't upstage his clothes, it's just right."Repetition as regressionAspiring to more than popularity, the VANAC has always been about opening up new possibilities, ever since its debut. As someone who challenges himself with new roles all the time, Suzuki keenly understands the importance of change."You could be doing better than ever, but if you're doing the same a year from now, that isn't good; that's stagnation. In fact, I'd call it regression. You're better off challenging yourself, switching things up. If it doesn't work out, you can go back. Regardless of whether the outcomes are good or bad, you'll grow in the process. The point is to dive into a different world and make contact with something new. That's what I'm trying to do all the time."Teruo Horikoshi（TRON）Perhaps one of the reasons so many popular films in Japan have Ryohei Suzuki in the cast is his forthcoming attitude towards change. This appetite for novelty is evident in his explorations of the wider world."I feel like this when I travel. If I have a great experience somewhere, I'm not someone who attempts to relive it. I'll only go back if I have unfinished business."This gift for seeing all forms of change as an avenue toward growth surely adds depth to his acting work as well."It's a funny thing with watches. You'll buy one, telling yourself that you'll wear it for the rest of your life, only to start wanting something different. It's like you have to buy it, or you'll never know. Though I'm not sure this is the same as other kinds of challenges in life!" laughs Suzuki.Teruo Horikoshi（TRON）Leaving something for the next generationSpeaking with the design team for King Seiko, Suzuki shared what he saw as common ground with "The Newest Classic," the concept for the collection."I see this as about evolving and expanding on the value that King Seiko has created, bringing it into the next generation. That sort of thing requires immense courage. In my view, that's the true meaning of the word challenge."Teruo Horikoshi（TRON）Watch "HKF001" $3,850 (King Seiko), shirt (Aspesi), T-shirt (Sunspel), pants (Lardini)Suzuki is one of the leading Japanese actors of his generation. A big question for him is how the acting methods he's learned from his predecessors can be passed on to a new generation of actors."In Japan, there is no widely codified system of acting methodology comparable to those taught abroad. Sure, there's kabuki, and there's contemporary theater, and they have their own traditions. If you go overseas, though, you'll see a highly codified approach to method. It's something people go to school to learn. That's why I want our generation to take these different Japanese performance styles and codify them into something you can study. It's an ambitious project, but I'm doing the research. This is my way of giving back to the next generation. Call it a work in progress."Setting things up for the actors who come next is clearly an exhilarating project for Suzuki. One might say he's cultivating "The Newest Classic" for the entertainment world.Teruo Horikoshi（TRON）Not imitation, but true value"Something that's struck me when doing adaptations is that you can't just try to imitate the source material. There's a huge difference between looking the same and being the same. If you just copy how it looks, things are bound to go poorly. You have to ask yourself how to bring the role to life. Maintaining the right balance is always a struggle."In light of his considerable experience acting in adaptations, and to great acclaim at that, Suzuki can't hide his admiration for the skill with which King Seiko has revived a classic model and brought it back for modern use.Teruo Horikoshi（TRON）Watch "HKF001" $3,850 (King Seiko)"It's clear that the design team distilled the essence of the VANAC and channeled it into a new idea. This is the VANAC for a whole new era. And the results are truly brilliant."Maturing as an actorWe're living in an era where Japanese viewers can instantly access films from overseas, while Japanese films are finding fans all over the world. What makes an actor fit to perform on the global stage?"When we say the world, we're really talking about a variety of different cultures. As interest in Japanese films continues to grow, I think it's increasingly important that we try to understand the taboos and preferences of each market. You wouldn't want an action or a setup to offend an overseas audience. This sort of knowledge goes a long way in informing an actor's decisions. Not to contradict myself, but I also believe we need to harness the sensibilities of Japanese culture and let them show up in the work. I'm not interested in imitating what's done overseas. Part of being global is valuing what makes a culture original."Teruo Horikoshi（TRON）Along with his love of visiting World Heritage Sites, Suzuki is also multilingual. Talking with others, he's surely gleaned a sense of how the world perceives Japan. And in the years ahead, the world is sure to hear the name "Ryohei Suzuki" in a variety of languages.Suzuki's global outlook and worldly nature lend strength and wisdom to his partnership with King Seiko. "This isn't just timeless style, it transcends place as well."There's a lot to look forward to in the future. Here in the present, this "VANAC for grown-ups" flashes from Suzuki's wrist, an emblem of mature resilience.The King Seiko VANAC's StatsThe titanium VANAC comes in three colors inspired by the city sky, as seen from the road: a purple that evokes the Tokyo cityscape at dusk, blending energy and solitude; a gray that speaks to the solidity of city infrastructure; and a black that captures the fluid sensation of riding down the highway at night.The dial has a horizontal stripe pattern inspired by the visual experience of moving through a tunnel toward its vanishing point. Note that the dial with gold-colored accents available in stainless steel models was dispensed with for a more minimalist impression. The personality of the design is amplified by a V-shaped index on the seconds hand. The clasp has a push-button release. The Caliber 8L45 featured here has the greatest accuracy of any mechanical movement from Seiko and a robust power reserve of 72 hours.Model Name: VANAC "HKF001," "HKF002," "HKF003"Case Size: Diameter 41.0 mmThickness: 14.3 mmCase Material: TitaniumWinding: Automatic with manual windingCaliber: 8L45Power Reserve: Approx. 72 hoursCrystal: Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surfaceWater Resistance: 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft)Price: $3,850KING SEIKO