The launches from Watches & Wonders are arriving by the minute and Grand Seiko are among the prestigious brands attending who have showcased new novelties live from the event. This morning the Japanese based brand have unveiled a staggering nine references.
Grand Seiko ‘Birch Bark’ Pink Gold and Titanium
Grand Seiko Birch Bark. Credit: Grand Seiko.
- Regular price
- $136.00 AUD
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- $136.00 AUD
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- Regular price
- $136.00 AUD
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- Sale price
- $136.00 AUD
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- Regular price
- $136.00 AUD
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- Sale price
- $136.00 AUD
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For the first time in more than 50 years, Grand Seiko have announced a new hand-wound high-beat movement, the Caliber 9SA4. Previously produced by the brand in the 60’s and 70’s in their pursuit of stability and higher precision, 2024 sees a return to these roots in the form of two new dress watches (one limited and one main stay).
If you’re lucky enough to have travelled to Northern Japan, you may be familiar with the slender white birch trees which thrive in certain areas. One such area where these trees grow is, aptly, nearby the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi. The exquisite beauty of these birch trees has inspired the dials of these dress watches, which will become part of the Evolution 9 Collection.
Grand Seiko Birch Bark. Credit: Grand Seiko.
The Birch Bark, available in Pink Gold (limited to 80 pieces) or Titanium, is equipped with the new Caliber 9SA4 and several aspects of the design have been refined and refreshed to communicate the charm one would expect from a hand-wound dress watch. The new Evolution 9 models are now offered with slimmed down indexes, narrower lugs, and a lowered centre of gravity with multi-dimensional textured dials, reminiscent of Japan’s birch trees.
Grand Seiko ‘Genbi Valley’
Grand Seiko Genbi Valley. Credit: Grand Seiko.
Another new addition to the Evolution 9 Collection is the Genbi Valley, expected to be limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide. With a new textured dial pattern inspired by the colours of the Japanese Genbi valley landscape, the Genbi Valley model is housed in a steel case with a diameter of 40mm. The model has water resistance up to 10 bar, magnetic resistance, and a transparent case back. It arrives equipped with the Calibre 9SAS Mechanical Movement which offers wearers an impressive power reserve of 80 hours and accuracy to +5/-3 seconds per day.
Grand Seiko ‘Starry Night’
Grand Seiko Starry Night. Credit: Grand Seiko.
This new addition to the Elegance Collection is inspired by the ‘Hoshizukiyo’ or, as it’s known in English, Van Gogh’s Starry Night. With stunning blue hues reminiscent of the famously painted night sky, the limited-edition timepiece echoes the very first modernised Grand Seiko models of the 1960’s. Arriving in an 18k Rose Gold case with a diameter of 38mm on a blue crocodile strap, this elegant addition is equipped with the Caliber 9S64 mechanical manual movement which offers a power reserve of 72 hours.
Grand Seiko ‘Sekkei’ Snow Valley
Grand Seiko Snow Valley. Credit: Grand Seiko.
- Regular price
- $275.00 AUD
- Regular price
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- Sale price
- $275.00 AUD
- Unit price
- per
- Regular price
- $275.00 AUD
- Regular price
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- Sale price
- $275.00 AUD
- Unit price
- per
- Regular price
- $275.00 AUD
- Regular price
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- Sale price
- $275.00 AUD
- Unit price
- per
The first of these newly announced novelties to make their way into Grand Seiko’s Sports Collection is the Snow Valley. Taking its inspiration from high summer in the Japanese mountains, Sekkei translates to Snow Valley. An oasis of earthy green tones peaking through lingering snow, the dial mirrors the texture and colour of snow left-over from winter days, whilst the green bezel and matching green GMT hand naturally mimic the emerging greenery sighted as winter becomes spring. The Snow Valley model is equipped with the Calibre 9S86 Mechanical Movement with a 55-hour power reserve, date display, triple timezone GMT and water resistance to 20 bar. All of which are housed in a Stainless Steel 44.2mm case.
Grand Seiko ‘Tokyo Lion’
Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion. Credit: Tokyo Lion.
Next up in the line-up of Grand Seiko releases are two Tokyo Lion references. The first, a limited edition to be produced on a run of 700 pieces, comes with a unique colour-changing dial created to mimic the shifting hues of a Shinshu sunrise against the backdrop of Hotaka – notably the region of Japan in which each of Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive creations are made. 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the first Grand Seiko watch to be powered by the 9R Spring Drive movement series, which now powers all Grad Seiko Spring Drive models.
Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion. Credit: Grand Seiko.
This new Spring Drive Chronograph GMT serves as a celebration of this milestone for the brand. Featuring a powerful case inspired by the lion, a symbol of the brand dating back to the 1960’s, water resistance to 20 bar and Lumibrite that glows green and blue for increased legibility in dark conditions.
The second Tokyo Lion entering the Sports Collection is equipped with the Calibre 9R66 Spring Drive movement with date display, GMT function and a stunning champagne dial, housed in a 44.5mm high-intensity titanium case.
Grand Seiko ‘White Kodo’
Grand Seiko White Kodo. Credit: Grand Seiko.
In continuation of the Kodo story (which began in 2022 and won Grand Seiko the Chronometry Prize at that year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve), Grand Seiko have announced a limited-edition timepiece inspired by daybreak. With silver movement components to accentuate the intricately constructed parts and, for the first time in a Grand Seiko watch movement, blue sapphires have been used for the jewels. The White Kodo is powered by the Caliber 9ST1 which is comprised of approximately 340 components.
Grand Seiko ‘White Lion III’
Grand Seiko White Lion III. Credit: Grand Seiko.
Finally, an addition to the Masterpiece Collection. Limited to just 8 pieces worldwide and arriving in a Platinum 950 44.5mm case, powered by the Spring Drive 9R01 movement with 192-hours of power reserve and accuracy to +0.5 seconds per day, the lion has been a consistent symbol of precision, durability, and beauty for Grand Seiko. It seems the White Lion III, king of them all, is no different.
All technical specifications and purchasing information can be found at Grand Seiko Online or in their international boutiques.
