To commemorate the 110th anniversary of Seiko wristwatches, Seiko Watch Corporation will release a special limited edition Grand Seiko model highlighting the craftsmanship of its artisans on February 24th.
Seiko WristwatchesThe theme for the 110th anniversary is "Being close to people, marking time together."
The company began its business in 1881 by repairing and selling watches, and began manufacturing wall clocks in 1892. During the early Taisho period, when pocket watches were the norm, Seiko continued to research and prototype wristwatches, preparing for the coming era of wristwatches. In 1913, the company completed the Laurel, the first domestically produced wristwatch. The Laurel was recognized by the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers as a cultural heritage in 2014, contributing to the development of Japanese mechanical technology and industry, and to the lives and culture of the nation. Since the development of the Laurel, Seiko has continued to produce innovative watches for 110 years, ensuring accurate timekeeping for everyone and adding color to each precious moment. Now and forever.
The First Grand Seiko
In 1960, at a time when Swiss-made watches were synonymous with luxury watches, Grand Seiko was born, bringing together the best of the watchmaking technology the company had cultivated up to that point, with the ambition to "create the finest Japanese-made wristwatch that could challenge the world." The first Grand Seiko was the first Japanese-made model to comply with the Swiss Chronometer Inspection Standards' Superior Class standard, and was released at a price of 25,000 yen. Considering that the starting salary for a senior national civil servant at the time was 12,000 yen, this model was an exceptionally luxurious item, and is the origin of Grand Seiko.
[Product Features]
The reproduction design of the first Grand Seiko is expressed with beautiful black lacquer andhighmaki-ework.
This is a special commemorative limited edition model that combines the reproduction design of the first Grand Seiko with the traditional Japanese craft of lacquer art. Lacquer, known for its practical qualities of high durability and corrosion resistance, has been a part of people's lives since ancient times in Japan, used in bowls, plates, and weapons like bows. The deep, lustrous black lacquer dial on this watch is crafted using a rare, purely domestic lacquer, a material with limited production. Compared to imported lacquers, domestic lacquer dries quickly and can be difficult to handle. However, it not only boasts superior durability and light resistance, but the black lacquer specially formulated for Grand Seiko maintains its lustrous color for an extended period of time. Because lacquer is applied through repeated coating and polishing, the process of evenly applying the lacquer to the bombe-shaped dial and then polishing it to an even finish requires a high level of skill. After applying the lacquer, Kanazawa lacquer artist Isshu Tamura applied a takamaki-e (high-gold lacquer sprinkled with gold and silver), combining delicacy and strength—the pinnacle of Kaga lacquer art. The 12 bar indexes and the Grand Seiko logo are applied in layers of lacquer to create a raised look, then sprinkled with gold powder and meticulously polished to create a three-dimensional finish. This highly challenging technique, which requires expert skill and intense concentration, is achieved by slowly moving only the tip of the brush.
The combination of multiple techniques creates a majestic and intricate expression that echoes the reissue design of the original Grand Seiko. The minute and second hands, whose tips gently curve toward the dial, are bent by hand to minimize their distance from the dial and improve legibility.
A Brilliant Hard Titanium Case Combines Lightness and Beauty
The case and clasp are made of Grand Seiko's proprietary "Brilliant Hard Titanium," achieving both lightness and beauty. "Brilliant Hard Titanium" is an advanced material that is nearly twice as hard as standard stainless steel, making it scratch-resistant while remaining as light as regular titanium. Furthermore, the surface of the case, whiter than conventional titanium, is polished by skilled artisans using the "Zaratsu polishing" (※1) technique, resulting in a lustrous finish that further accentuates the beauty of the black lacquer.
The strap is a first for Grand Seiko, featuring a "Yoroiori" (armor-woven) pattern. This watch is crafted using traditional Japanese techniques, once used to weave samurai armor. Skilled artisans weave thinly cut cowhide leather into thread and plain weave for enhanced durability.
Grand Seiko has always crafted timepieces with the goal of "long-lasting enjoyment." This design philosophy is instilled in every Grand Seiko. This special limited edition model, combining the beautiful yet durable lacquer with Grand Seiko's exclusive, advanced material, brilliant hard titanium, is a testament to that philosophy.
The sapphire crystal caseback allows a glimpse of the intricate beating of the movement. As proof of its exclusivity, the caseback is inscribed with "LIMITED EDITION" and a serial number.
The replacement straps are made of high-quality, soft leather that is comfortable to wear.
Equipped with a classic hand-wound caliber utilizing the latest technology
The movement is equipped with mechanical hand-wound caliber 9S64. The mainspring and hairspring are made of Seiko's proprietary, highly durable material "Spron," and the escapement is made of high-precision parts with excellent surface smoothness manufactured using MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems).
Since its launch in 1960, Grand Seiko is a brand that has made continuous progress, striving to create the finest wristwatches, pursuing and realizing the essential qualities of a wristwatch - accuracy, beauty, and legibility - at a high level. Since beginning full-scale global expansion in 2010, Grand Seiko has earned high praise around the world for the highest level of performance and sophisticated design that only a true manufacture, one of the few in the world, can achieve.
【Product Specifications】
Grand Seiko>
Elegance Collection Seiko Wristwatch 110th Anniversary Limited Edition Model
Product Number SBGW295
Suggested Retail Price (tax included) 1,815,000 yen
Case Brilliant Hard Titanium
Strap & Clasp Yoroi-woven strap & Brilliant Hard Titanium (one-push three-fold type)
*Interchangeable strap included
Crystal Dual-curve sapphire crystal (inner anti-reflective coating)
Water Resistance Water resistant for everyday use (3 bar)
Case Size [Outer Diameter] 38mm (excluding crown) [Thickness] 10.9mm
Limited Quantity Limited to 500 pieces worldwide (100 in Japan)
Release date: Friday, February 24th
Other specifications
https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja/collections/sbgw295
[Movement specifications]
Mechanical movement: Caliber 9S64
Winding method: Manual winding
Accuracy: Average daily rate of +5 to -3 seconds (when worn on the wrist at an ambient temperature of 5°C to 35°C)
Power reserve: Approximately 72 hours (approximately 3 days)
Number of jewels: 24
Vibration frequency: 28,800 vph (8 vph)
Lacquer artistTamura Isshu
1957 (Showa 32) Born in 1970, he currently resides in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. After studying under Master Kiyose Ikko and mastering the traditional Kanazawa craft of Kaga Maki-e, he developed a unique, intricate technique unparalleled anywhere in the world. He has not only produced lacquerware, but also luxury fountain pens and wristwatches featuring Kaga Maki-e. The exquisite beauty achieved through this extremely precise technique has earned him worldwide acclaim.
(※1) Zaratsu polishing
This is a surface treatment technique in which a circular surface plate is rotated and the case is pressed against it to smooth the surface, creating a distortion-free flat surface.
For general customer inquiries:
Seiko Watch Corporation Customer Service Center
0120-061-012 (toll-free)
Official Grand Seiko website address:
https://www.grand-seiko.com
*The content of this release is current as of the date of publication.
Please note that the schedule may change without notice.
Seiko WristwatchesThe theme for the 110th anniversary is "Being close to people, marking time together."
The company began its business in 1881 by repairing and selling watches, and began manufacturing wall clocks in 1892. During the early Taisho period, when pocket watches were the norm, Seiko continued to research and prototype wristwatches, preparing for the coming era of wristwatches. In 1913, the company completed the Laurel, the first domestically produced wristwatch. The Laurel was recognized by the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers as a cultural heritage in 2014, contributing to the development of Japanese mechanical technology and industry, and to the lives and culture of the nation. Since the development of the Laurel, Seiko has continued to produce innovative watches for 110 years, ensuring accurate timekeeping for everyone and adding color to each precious moment. Now and forever.
The First Grand Seiko
In 1960, at a time when Swiss-made watches were synonymous with luxury watches, Grand Seiko was born, bringing together the best of the watchmaking technology the company had cultivated up to that point, with the ambition to "create the finest Japanese-made wristwatch that could challenge the world." The first Grand Seiko was the first Japanese-made model to comply with the Swiss Chronometer Inspection Standards' Superior Class standard, and was released at a price of 25,000 yen. Considering that the starting salary for a senior national civil servant at the time was 12,000 yen, this model was an exceptionally luxurious item, and is the origin of Grand Seiko.
[Product Features]
The reproduction design of the first Grand Seiko is expressed with beautiful black lacquer andhighmaki-ework.
This is a special commemorative limited edition model that combines the reproduction design of the first Grand Seiko with the traditional Japanese craft of lacquer art. Lacquer, known for its practical qualities of high durability and corrosion resistance, has been a part of people's lives since ancient times in Japan, used in bowls, plates, and weapons like bows. The deep, lustrous black lacquer dial on this watch is crafted using a rare, purely domestic lacquer, a material with limited production. Compared to imported lacquers, domestic lacquer dries quickly and can be difficult to handle. However, it not only boasts superior durability and light resistance, but the black lacquer specially formulated for Grand Seiko maintains its lustrous color for an extended period of time. Because lacquer is applied through repeated coating and polishing, the process of evenly applying the lacquer to the bombe-shaped dial and then polishing it to an even finish requires a high level of skill. After applying the lacquer, Kanazawa lacquer artist Isshu Tamura applied a takamaki-e (high-gold lacquer sprinkled with gold and silver), combining delicacy and strength—the pinnacle of Kaga lacquer art. The 12 bar indexes and the Grand Seiko logo are applied in layers of lacquer to create a raised look, then sprinkled with gold powder and meticulously polished to create a three-dimensional finish. This highly challenging technique, which requires expert skill and intense concentration, is achieved by slowly moving only the tip of the brush.
The combination of multiple techniques creates a majestic and intricate expression that echoes the reissue design of the original Grand Seiko. The minute and second hands, whose tips gently curve toward the dial, are bent by hand to minimize their distance from the dial and improve legibility.
A Brilliant Hard Titanium Case Combines Lightness and Beauty
The case and clasp are made of Grand Seiko's proprietary "Brilliant Hard Titanium," achieving both lightness and beauty. "Brilliant Hard Titanium" is an advanced material that is nearly twice as hard as standard stainless steel, making it scratch-resistant while remaining as light as regular titanium. Furthermore, the surface of the case, whiter than conventional titanium, is polished by skilled artisans using the "Zaratsu polishing" (※1) technique, resulting in a lustrous finish that further accentuates the beauty of the black lacquer.
The strap is a first for Grand Seiko, featuring a "Yoroiori" (armor-woven) pattern. This watch is crafted using traditional Japanese techniques, once used to weave samurai armor. Skilled artisans weave thinly cut cowhide leather into thread and plain weave for enhanced durability.
Grand Seiko has always crafted timepieces with the goal of "long-lasting enjoyment." This design philosophy is instilled in every Grand Seiko. This special limited edition model, combining the beautiful yet durable lacquer with Grand Seiko's exclusive, advanced material, brilliant hard titanium, is a testament to that philosophy.
The sapphire crystal caseback allows a glimpse of the intricate beating of the movement. As proof of its exclusivity, the caseback is inscribed with "LIMITED EDITION" and a serial number.
The replacement straps are made of high-quality, soft leather that is comfortable to wear.
Equipped with a classic hand-wound caliber utilizing the latest technology
The movement is equipped with mechanical hand-wound caliber 9S64. The mainspring and hairspring are made of Seiko's proprietary, highly durable material "Spron," and the escapement is made of high-precision parts with excellent surface smoothness manufactured using MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems).
Since its launch in 1960, Grand Seiko is a brand that has made continuous progress, striving to create the finest wristwatches, pursuing and realizing the essential qualities of a wristwatch - accuracy, beauty, and legibility - at a high level. Since beginning full-scale global expansion in 2010, Grand Seiko has earned high praise around the world for the highest level of performance and sophisticated design that only a true manufacture, one of the few in the world, can achieve.
【Product Specifications】
Grand Seiko>
Elegance Collection Seiko Wristwatch 110th Anniversary Limited Edition Model
Product Number SBGW295
Suggested Retail Price (tax included) 1,815,000 yen
Case Brilliant Hard Titanium
Strap & Clasp Yoroi-woven strap & Brilliant Hard Titanium (one-push three-fold type)
*Interchangeable strap included
Crystal Dual-curve sapphire crystal (inner anti-reflective coating)
Water Resistance Water resistant for everyday use (3 bar)
Case Size [Outer Diameter] 38mm (excluding crown) [Thickness] 10.9mm
Limited Quantity Limited to 500 pieces worldwide (100 in Japan)
Release date: Friday, February 24th
Other specifications
https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja/collections/sbgw295
[Movement specifications]
Mechanical movement: Caliber 9S64
Winding method: Manual winding
Accuracy: Average daily rate of +5 to -3 seconds (when worn on the wrist at an ambient temperature of 5°C to 35°C)
Power reserve: Approximately 72 hours (approximately 3 days)
Number of jewels: 24
Vibration frequency: 28,800 vph (8 vph)
Lacquer artistTamura Isshu
1957 (Showa 32) Born in 1970, he currently resides in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. After studying under Master Kiyose Ikko and mastering the traditional Kanazawa craft of Kaga Maki-e, he developed a unique, intricate technique unparalleled anywhere in the world. He has not only produced lacquerware, but also luxury fountain pens and wristwatches featuring Kaga Maki-e. The exquisite beauty achieved through this extremely precise technique has earned him worldwide acclaim.
(※1) Zaratsu polishing
This is a surface treatment technique in which a circular surface plate is rotated and the case is pressed against it to smooth the surface, creating a distortion-free flat surface.
For general customer inquiries:
Seiko Watch Corporation Customer Service Center
0120-061-012 (toll-free)
Official Grand Seiko website address:
https://www.grand-seiko.com
*The content of this release is current as of the date of publication.
Please note that the schedule may change without notice.
