Grand Seiko Pays Tribute to the Nature of Time and Japan’s Twenty-Four Seasons

Four New Timepieces in its Heritage Collection

October 01, 2019

comments 0

Unveiling its deep sensibilities and a reverence for the Japanese passage of time, Grand Seiko has reimagined the iconic 62GS design with four new timepieces for its Heritage Collection.

The new watches celebrate The Nature of Time and commemorate Japan’s twenty-four sekki that mark nature’s ever-changing seasons. The sekki offer a poetic journey as nature awakens, blossoms, matures and settles into slumber from the beginning of spring, known as risshun, to the glistening cold of winter known as daikan.

Four of the Twenty-Four Sekki

Taisetsu: The Deep Snow of Winter

Pine trees crusted with snow, silent under the sun of winter. It’s when the world has settled into a slumber only to awaken in the spring. This model’s dial celebrates the winter snow as it gathers and glitters against the sunlight.

Shunbun: The Vernal Equinox

When sakura blossoms fall into water, they swirl and float. The pink blossoms dance on the water and the Japanese call them flower rafts, hanaikada. The pink dial of this model captures the spirit of the fleeting sakura season.

Rikka: Early Summer

As spring passes to summer, the land turns lush and green. A refreshing summer zephyr blows over waving fields and grass. This refreshing zephyr in Japanese is kunpu. This model’s rich, green dial seizes a summer moment to enjoy forever.

Shubun: The Autumnal Equinox

Under the moonlight, the night is quiet except for the last of the chirping crickets. The bright moon against the dark sky in Japanese is known as tsukiyo. The dial of this model is a dark blue to celebrate the autumnal equinox and represent the autumn clouds as they float through the sky.

Case Design: The Iconic 62GS Reimagined

Launched in 1967, the 62GS was Grand Seiko’s first automatic movement. This timepiece gained popularity for its striking design featuring a mirrored, multi-sided case and wide dial opening, which was achieved with bezel-free construction and Seiko’s signature Zaratsu polishing technique. Pure, refined, and noble, the 62GS is a treasured classic.

Movements: The Twin-Peaks of Grand Seiko

The four models feature two characteristic Grand Seiko movements, each is hand adjusted and assembled by highly skilled craftspeople.

Shunbun and Taisetsu—the vernal equinox and the deep snow of winter—house the 9R65 calibre that Grand Seiko assembles in its Shinshu Watch Studio, located in Nagano Prefecture. This sophisticated movement combines modern technology with the skilled hands of master craftspeople for its fine adjustments and high precision. The Spring Drive movement further reflects the smooth passage of time with every revolution.

Rikka and Shubun—early summer and the autumnal equinox—house the 9S85 calibre from the Shizukuishi Watch Studio in Iwate Prefecture. This sophisticated, modern movement makes use of innovations to its mainspring, hairspring, and escapement to improve precision. The movement demonstrates the pure power of the Mechanical Hi-Beat 36,000.

SBGA415 Taisetsu Special Edition
Caliber 9R65
Driving system: Spring Drive
Accuracy: +/-15 seconds per month (average)
Power reserve: 72 hours
Number of jewels: 30
Specifications
High-intensity titanium case with bracelet and three-fold clasp with push button release
Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Screw see-through case back
Water resistance: 10 bar
Diameter: 40.0mm
Recommended retail price: $6,300 USD

SBGA413 Shunbun Special Edition
Caliber 9R65
Driving system: Spring Drive
Accuracy: +/-15 seconds per month (average)
Power reserve: 72 hours
Number of jewels: 30
Specifications
High-intensity titanium case with bracelet and three-fold clasp with push button release
Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Screw see-through case back
Water resistance: 10 bar
Diameter: 40.0mm
Recommended retail price: $6,300 USD

SBGH271 Rikka Special Edition
Caliber 9S85
Driving system: Mechanical Hi-Beat 36,000
Accuracy: -3 to +5 seconds per day (when static)
Power reserve: 55 hours
Number of jewels: 37
Specifications
Stainless steel case with bracelet and three-fold clasp with push button release
Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Screw see-through case back
Water resistance: 10 bar
Diameter: 40.0mm
Recommended retail price: $6,300 USD

SBGH273 Shubun Special Edition
Caliber 9S85
Driving system: Mechanical Hi-Beat 36,000
Accuracy: -3 to +5 seconds per day (when static)
Power reserve: 55 hours
Number of jewels: 37
Specifications
Stainless steel case with bracelet and three-fold clasp with push button release
Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Screw see-through case back
Water resistance: 10 bar
Diameter: 40.0mm
Recommended retail price: $6,300 USD

Grand Seiko began its journey sixty years ago in pursuit of the ideal watch. With its extremely high accuracy Grand Seiko enchanted the watch world, and continues to revolutionize watchmaking with new innovations—including the Spring Drive, which offers a seamless seconds-hand motion and accuracy unlike any other mechanical watch. The combination of technology and Japanese craftsmanship deliver timepieces that lead the world in precision, durability, legibility, and aesthetics. Classic, traditional, or sport, expect a new understanding of The Nature of Time from Grand Seiko.

More articles on Fratello about Grand Seiko can be found here.