Purple Reign & Racing Stripes: October's Limited Edition Watch Picks
Welcome to this month's Watch Collectors Top Picks
Five limited edition timepieces we think are worth your attention in October, from a purple-hued Seiko anniversary flagship to a 100-piece Red Bull racing chronograph. Each one is rare, genuinely collectible, and won't be sitting on our shelves for long.
Seiko 145th Anniversary — 'Edo Purple'
With strong links to Tokyo, the third series in the 145th-anniversary launches 'Edo Purple' features six new limited-edition pieces ranging from AUD $675 - $4500. Whether your preference is for style or capabilities, this release features watches from collections Alpinist, Speedtimer, Astron, Presage Cocktail Time, 5 Sports SKX, and a digital "Rotocall" revival encouraging all to join in on these forward-thinking designs. The collection is focused on the Japanese cultural heritage of Seiko, when 21-year-old Kintaro Hattori first opened a watch shop in Tokyo's Ginza district in 1881. The 145th Anniversary limited editions started with the gold release symbolising the past, blue for the present and Edo Purple for the future, the grand finale of the series. A true reflection of Seiko's founding philosophy of being "Always one step ahead of the rest."
Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph (HAB011J)
The undisputed flagship of Seiko's Edo Murasaki collection, the Astron HAB011J pairs cutting-edge technology with a nod to old Tokyo. Its purple dial uses a vertical gradation layered with horizontal linework to capture "the changing hues of the sky at dusk," set against a titanium case and ceramic bracelet links for a genuinely premium feel. Powered by Seiko's GPS Solar Calibre 5X83, it adjusts to any of 38 time zones at the push of a button, runs a full chronograph and perpetual calendar to the year 2100, and never needs a battery change. With only 2,000 pieces made worldwide, it's the rarest watch in the entire six-piece anniversary collection — a serious grail for collectors who want function to match the occasion.
Seiko Prospex Alpinist Mechanical (HBC006J)
Where the Astron looks to the future, the Alpinist HBC006J looks back — this piece carries genuine heritage weight, tracing its lineage to the original 1959 Laurel Alpinist, one of Seiko's very first sports watches. The reinterpreted "Alpinist" logotype sits beneath the Seiko name at 12 o'clock as a quiet tribute to that history, while a purple-stitched leather strap and gold accents on the logo and seconds hand bring it in line with the anniversary theme. Inside is Calibre 6R55, offering an excellent 72-hour power reserve, paired with the Alpinist's signature rotating compass inner ring for genuine field-watch functionality. Limited to 7,000 pieces, it's the more attainable entry point into the collection — ideal for someone starting a collection rather than completing one.
Seiko 5 Sports Supercars Automatic GMT (SSK057K)
Next up is a piece built for speed rather than heritage — the Seiko 5 Sports Supercars SSK057K, marking ten years of Seiko's partnership with the Supercars Championship and Team 18. It's the first-ever GMT watch created for the Championship, and the design leans fully into that motorsport DNA: a carbon-fibre patterned dial, racing-red accents on the chapter ring, GMT hand and seconds hand, and a bi-colour rotating bezel that lets you track three time zones at once — a genuinely useful feature for a championship that races across six time zones throughout Australia and New Zealand. Inside is Seiko's reliable automatic Calibre 4R34, with the Supercars logo engraved on both the crown and exhibition case back alongside each watch's individual edition number. Limited to just 1,500 individually numbered pieces worldwide, this is a distinctly Australian collector's piece that won't be reissued once it's gone. Currently available now at Wallace Bishop for $850, the SSK057K is one of the most accessible limited editions in this month's line-up — a genuine motorsport collectible at a price that won't stretch the budget. With strong demand already building, now's the time to secure yours before the numbered run sells through.
Casio Ring Watch (CRW001-1D)
Our fourth pick this month is something a little different — the Casio Ring Watch, a celebration of 50 years of Casio watchmaking shrunk down into a genuinely wearable ring. It's less about specs and more about story: Casio's very first product back in 1946 was actually a finger ring, so this piece is a direct nod to the company's original invention rather than a passing gimmick. It still packs real function into that tiny form — a 7-segment LCD display, date, dual time and stopwatch, plus a playful flashing light at preset times — but the appeal here is standing out rather than out-specifying anything else in your collection. It's a limited release, distributed through a small, carefully chosen list of retailers, and it's available now at Wallace Bishop.
Silver is not your colour? The Timex x MM6 Maison Margiela T-80 Digital Ring Watch brings the same playful, finger-worn format in a polished gold finish — and it's currently 35% off at $259, down from $399.95.
Luminox Limited Edition Pacific Diver (XS.3143.ARB.N)
Rounding out this month's collector's picks is the Luminox x Red Bull Ampol Racing Pacific Diver, and it's the rarest piece on the list —limited to just 100 pieces worldwide. It pairs Luminox's dive-watch DNA (born on the Pacific Coast, built originally for Navy SEALs) with genuine motorsport styling: a blue dial with white LLT-filled hands and markers for constant low-light visibility, a CARBONOX™ unidirectional bezel prized for being six times lighter than steel, and Red Bull Ampol Racing's signature red and yellow accents against a navy blue cut-to-fit rubber strap. It's a fitting tribute to Red Bull's racing pedigree both on the track and on the water — with Max Verstappen and Oracle Red Bull Racing chasing a fifth World Championship this season, there's no better time to back the team with a piece built in their colours. It's Swiss quartz chronograph, sapphire crystal, and rated to 200m water resistance — genuinely built for the water, not just for looks. At $1,499 and with only 100 ever made, stock is already limited and won't be restocked once it's gone.
