Milestones and nature’s marvels
Grand Seiko’s new launches take a poetic approach to watchmaking, merging its world-renowned high-precision watchmaking with an ode to Japan’s natural beauty
THE manufacture’s three latest releases not only celebrate Grand Seiko’s storied past, but also reaffirm its deep reverence for Japan’s most captivating landscapes. Encapsulating the brand’s unique ability to blur the boundaries between horological innovation and artistry, the timepieces invite their wearers to experience the subtle interplay between time, light and nature.
45GS Re-creation Limited Edition
Grand Seiko’s latest 45GS Re-creation Limited Edition models from the Heritage Collection mark a milestone in the brand’s history of high-precision watchmaking. Launched in 1968, the 45GS models elevated the manufacture’s standards of stability and performance with its manual-winding high-beat movement, the Calibre 4520. Now, two new re-creations in luxurious yellow gold (SLGW004) and stainless steel (SLGW005) pay tribute to the emblematic timepiece, while showcasing Grand Seiko’s latest advancements in technology and design.
Both 38.8 mm references honour the original with a modern twist. The angular case, featuring flat, mirror-polished surfaces and sleek, curved sides, has been reimagined using Grand Seiko’s state-of-the-art watchmaking techniques. The result is a brilliant play of light and shadow that has defined the brand’s design language since 1967.
The colours and typography remain true to the original 45GS aesthetic. At 12 o’clock, the Seiko logo evokes the vintage charm of its predecessor, while “GS” and “Hi-Beat” at six o’clock sit alongside the number 36,000, which denotes the movement’s high frequency. Meanwhile, the Daini Seikosha factory emblem is a hat-tip to the birthplace of this iconic timepiece.
Powering the latest 45GS Re-creation is the cutting-edge hand-wound Calibre 9SA4. Echoing the legacy of the original Calibre 4520, this high-frequency movement is a masterclass in stability and precision, beating 10 times per second. But where it truly shines is in its impressive 80-hour power reserve, thanks to Grand Seiko’s Dual Impulse Escapement and dual-barrel design.
The movement is designed to enhance the hand-winding experience for the wearer. The winding of the crown offers a delightful tactile feel, accompanied by the satisfying sound of the click spring that’s tuned for a perfect aural sensation. While the original had a solid caseback, the new editions boast an exhibition caseback to reveal the click’s bird-like pecking motion and the movement’s elegant finishing.
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Presented on black crocodile leather straps, both limited editions will be available from November. Only 200 pieces of the yellow gold model will be exclusive to Grand Seiko boutiques, while 1,200 pieces of the stainless steel version will be available at Grand Seiko boutiques and select retail partners worldwide.
Calibre 9R 20th Anniversary Limited Edition
The vision of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive began in the 1970s with this idea: To create the perfect watch that marries the mechanical power of a traditional mainspring with cutting-edge electronic technology for a level of precision no mechanical watch could rival. Over the decades, this ground-breaking concept evolved into what is now known as the Calibre 9R.
To celebrate 20 years of this revolutionary movement, Grand Seiko unveils two new Spring Drive models in its Elegance Collection, one of which is the Calibre 9R 20th Anniversary Limited Edition (SBGY035). The striking timepiece draws inspiration from the stunning Hotaka mountain range that rises in central Japan’s Shinshu region, where all Grand Seiko Spring Drive creations are made.
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The dial’s mesmerising gradation captures the beauty of dawn breaking over the majestic mountain range. The deep red at the periphery represents the shadowed peaks at first light, while the hue gradually brightens towards the centre, symbolising the morning sun revealing the vibrant colours of autumn leaves. The smooth, gliding motion of the Spring Drive seconds hand further illustrates this tranquil scene, portraying the gentle passage of time as nature transitions from darkness to light.
The elegant 38.5 mm model boasts impressive power and precision. Equipped with the manual-winding Spring Drive Calibre 9R31, it offers a 72-hour power reserve and remarkable accuracy of ±15 seconds per month. Finished with a red-brown crocodile leather strap, the watch will launch from November as a limited edition of 700 pieces at Grand Seiko Boutiques and select retail partners worldwide.
Mechanical Hi-Beat 36000 SBGH347 “Icefall”
An incredible ode to nature’s frozen wonders, Grand Seiko’s new SBGH347 is inspired by the ethereal beauty of the Nanataki Waterfall in Hachimantai, Iwate Prefecture. Its striking dial captures the dynamic yet tranquil scene during the peak of winter when massive icicles form, reflecting the captivating bluish-white hues of the ice to bring this serene landscape to life.
Launched this month, this visual masterpiece from the Heritage Collection is driven by the Hi-Beat Calibre 9S85 – a high-frequency movement operating at 10 beats per second that ensures stable precision, and offers an impressive power reserve of about 55 hours when fully wound.
Measuring 37 mm in diameter and 13.3 mm in thickness, the model embodies Grand Seiko’s design philosophy of creating the “best possible practical watch”, a vision first introduced with the debut of Calibre 9S in 1998. Its case, crafted from Ever-Brilliant Steel for superior corrosion resistance, is paired with a bracelet featuring a three-fold clasp for comfort and durability, making this timepiece a remarkable fusion of artistry and mechanical prowess.
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