Jewellery & Watch News
Since the birth of the very Grand Seiko watch in 1960, the Japanese manufacturer has been determined to create a watch with perfect precision, unbeatable durability and eye-catching beauty. Their dream has become a reality with their breathtaking collections of Grand Seiko watches beating records for accuracy and boasting intricate design features like their famous Zaratsu polished cases and faceted hands and markers that are designed to reflect even the smallest rays of light.
Their determination to excel is symbolised through the image of the lion that can be found on the case back of every Grand Seiko watch. This symbol of strength and resolve only further establishes them as the ‘king of watches’. Meanwhile, their remarkable prowess for mechanical and quartz movements continues to amaze with new advancements being made every day. The first Grand Seiko watch in 1960 was released to be accurate to within +12 to -3 seconds a day and offered a power reserve of 45 hours. It was the first watch in Japan to be compliant with the standard of excellence of the Bureaux Officiels de Contrôle de la Marche des Montres.
Today, Grand Seiko watches house movements that are even more remarkable. The Grand Seiko 9R Spring Drive is one of their most famous created using an electronic regulator to deliver a level precision no mechanical watch can match. The Spring Drive Manual 8-Day Calibre 9R01 is a fine example of their genius with an accuracy of +/- 0.5 seconds per day and a power reserve of 192 hours. Grand Seiko are also one of only a few luxury watch manufacturers with a mastery in both mechanical and electronic watchmaking with the Grand Seiko 9F Quartz calibres being considered some of the most accurate on the market.
Today we will be breaking down all the latest Grand Seiko watch collections to help you find the perfect model for you. From Grand Seiko Chronographs, to their incredible limited editions to Grand Seiko Spring Drive, Hi Beat and Quartz watches, there is a Grand Seiko watch out there for everybody.
Grand Seiko Elegance Watches
With a name that suits its sophisticated design, the Grand Seiko Elegance watch collection has been engineered especially for those looking for both a graceful aesthetic and an unbeatable movement. With graceful lugs that mould elegantly to the wrist and easy to read dials decorated with faceted hour and minute hands, each Grand Seiko Elegance watch shows off the brand’s desires for perfection.
There are a huge range of Grand Seiko Elegance watches to choose from, each with their own unique personality that are almost impossible not to fall in love with. This year we were treated to a brand new Grand Seiko Elegance Snowflake watch, a piece that is highly desired by collectors for its breathtaking textured dial. Decorated with delicate detail, the dial of the Grand Seiko Snowflake mimics the texture of snow that falls outside the windows of the brand’s mountain top workshops in Japan. The Grand Seiko Snowflake SBGA407 is also home to one of the brand’s most spectacular automatic calibres, the 9R65 which has an impressive accuracy of only -/+ 1 second per day.
Grand Seiko Heritage Watches
Another suitably named collection is the Grand Seiko Heritage. These breathtaking timepieces honour the brand’s history and the ‘Grand Seiko Style' philosophy first created in 1967 for the 44GS. This philosophy was conceived to ensure every Grand Seiko Heritage watch remained true to the ideals of Japanese beauty and the standards of Grand Seiko’s manufacture.
Each Grand Seiko Heritage watch is beautifully presented in either stainless steel or titanium alongside a breathtaking choice of dials. We particularly love the dial on the new SBGJ201 model which was released earlier last year. It not only comes equipped with a stunning blue GMT hand thanks to the high-precision hi-beat 36000 movement but its dial is finished with a Mount Iwate pattern inspired by the contours of Mt. Iwate, the mountain that is visible through the windows of the Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio where Grand Seiko mechanical watches are made.
Grand Seiko Sport Watches
Still sophisticated yet coming in strong with a bold, sporty finish, the Grand Seiko Sport watch collection is the only choice for lovers of chronographs, large ceramic bezels and lightweight titanium cases. This incredible combination of materials serves a practical purpose while also providing an unmissable design on the wrist. The zirconia ceramic bezels are raised slightly above the level of the cases, making the bracelets virtually impervious to scratches.
Once again, we are spoiled for choice with plenty of Grand Seiko Sport watches to choose from. The Grand Seiko Sport Diving watches are highly scratch and corrosion resistant with water resistances of 200 metres or more and stunning LumiBrite coated on the hands and indexes for easy legibility under water. At this year’s Baselworld, Grand Seiko also announced the release of some stunning Grand Seiko Sport Spring Drive Limited Editions to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Spring Drive movement. We love the SBGC231 model in particular with its mesmerising dial inspired by the mane of a lion.
If any of these incredible collections of Grand Seiko watches have taken your fancy or you would just love to learn more, please feel free to head over to our website or contact our talented team of watch specialists at sales@cwsellors.com or on 01335 453453.
