the Seneca: First Edition

Offering details

This is the limited first public offering of the Seneca. Each unit will include a special First Edition nameplate with serial number.

The components of each Seneca are machined and molded to order in small batches as part of fixed offering batch such as this one. Each board is then individually assembled right here in California, according to the requested client specifications.

It is a personal process, and we work directly with our clients to give them insight into manufacturing and the status of their build as it proceeds.

Plasma ceramic and titanium finishes

First Edition is offered in three aluminum finishes (Oxide Gray, Travertine, and Heatshield), along with a lavish Veracity Titanium option. All switch plates are thick solid brass, with an electrodeposited matte silver chrome finish.

The aluminum housings are finished in plasma ceramic, an oxidation process that uses intense heat and pressure generated by a storm of rapid high-energy micro-arcs, which forms an advanced ceramic coating on the substrate. The result is a smooth matte finish of extraordinary durability and cosmetic uniformity, unlike anything we have offered before.

Travertine calls back to Ancient Rome and the Stoic philosopher namesake of the project. It is a warm gray that has a very fine stochastic micro-pattern of alternating light and dark areas resulting from the energy discharges. Although this pattern gives the appearance of a texture like natural stone, it is perfectly smooth to the touch.

Oxide Gray is a very light gray finish, the essence of retrofuturist space-age purity.

Heatshield is a deep matte black.

Veracity Titanium is raw uncoated titanium with a blasted surface, for those who love honest and exotic materials—and can Stoically embrace visible fingerprints.

Retro keycaps, Made in Germany

First Edition ships with a special version of the R&D 1973 keycap set, which is designed subtly to evoke the aesthetics of the first personal computers. R&D 1973 is one of the first high-end sets to be produced in double-shot PBT, a material that is relatively challenging to mold but has markedly superior durability and acoustics compared to ABS resins. It is molded in the low sculpted retro profile known as MTNU, manufactured by GMK in Germany.

Per client preference, the two pink accent keys can be swapped out to match the rest of the dark gray modifiers for those who prefer a more monochrome look.

CNC Wood Riser (optional)

The Seneca is designed for ergonomic use without an incline angle. However, for those who are accustomed to and prefer a typing angle (or even a reverse typing angle), the Seneca Walnut Riser is available as an optional add-on. It imparts a 3° (or -3°) pitch.

These are precision CNC machined in South Africa from Kiaat, a rare and beautiful teak wood that is native to that country.

Notes

We expect First Edition units to begin shipping from the mid- to late-summer, generally in the order in which they were received. 

First Edition participants will hear directly from our Client Experience team to make sure everything is built to your taste and to keep you informed through the manufacturing and build process.