Schlagwort-Archive: Seiko

A new Seiko with Urushi Dial

Veröffentlicht am von
Antworten

Seiko recently introduced a new, extremely slim design in its Elegance-Collection. The combination of a new case and a hand-wound calibre with a small second and Urushi lacquer expresses the unique Japanese aesthetic of Grand Seiko.

The new Urushi creation, available in two versions, combines two outstanding Japanese crafts. Thanks to the watchmaker’s skills, every detail reflects Grand Seiko’s understated design aesthetics.
The dial and sapphire crystal are so slightly curved to give the watches a classic look. The minute hand as well as the hand of the power reserve are slightly curved to follow the contours of the dial.
The Urushi dials are made by a master craftsman. He also applies the hour markings and the letters „GS“ with the traditional Maki-e technique to the dials of the watches. By applying the lacquer in layers, the markings are given a three-dimensional profile and a decentralised presence on the dial. A gold or platinum powder is then applied and the surface polished. This process gives the Maki-e its discreetly shimmering appearance.
With the dials at the centre, the subsidiary dials for the small seconds at 9 o’clock and the power-reserve indicator at 3 o’clock are subtle and understated.

The case is polished with a special Zaratsu technique that underlines the beauty of the curved surfaces. It has a diameter of 39 mm and is water-resistant up to 3 bar.
Inside works the 9S63 calibre, which is a significant addition to the ever-growing number of Grand Seiko movements. Eight years have passed since Grand Seiko unveiled its last mechanical hand-wound calibre, but we’d say it was worth the wait.
The 9S63 operates at a frequency of 4 Hz, offers a power reserve of 72 hours and is highly accurate with a deviation of +5 to -3 seconds.

The new Design Series consists of three limited editions. Seiko has combined the two Urushi versions with a red gold case and limited each to 150 pieces. The third model has a stainless steel case and a blue dial and will come in a edition of 1.500 pieces. In July, a version with a gold case will expand the collection.
All models are complemented by a crocodile leather strap.

25th Anniversary: Seiko Grand Seiko 9F quartz caliber

Veröffentlicht am von
Antworten

In 1988, the Grand Seiko team made a new quartz caliber that was worthy of the high standards the brand was – and still is – known for. At that time, rapid advances in quartz technology were being made but most were focused on the addition of new functions. The Grand Seiko team though, decided that they could, and should, go further by focusing on the simple essentials of precision and durability. They decided that to be the „ideal“ quartz watch, a new caliber was needed that would be even more precise, more durable and more in keeping with the aesthetics of Grand Seiko. Five years later, in 1993, the first 9F caliber, the 9F83, was completed.

The new caliber delivered advances in every aspects. Its hands were as long as those on every other Grand Seiko watch, the calendar change was instantaneous and the durability and reliability was enhanced. Caliber 9F incorporated key innovations such as a backlash auto-adjust mechanism to eliminate any shuddering of the second hand, a twin pulse control system to deliver increased torque and a unique protective shield to minimize the risk of dust coming into contact with the gear train or stepping motor. Still today, the caliber 9F can lay a strong claim to being the highest performance quartz watch in the world.

The new limited edition pays proud homage to the 1993 design. Its case and bracelet retain the soft contours of the original. There are, however, stylistic enhancements. In line with contemporary taste, the case is slightly larger, the Grand Seiko name is now at the 12 o’clock position and the dial carries a special pattern based on the traditional quartz symbol with, above the six o’clock marker, the 5-pointed star which, symbolises the extraordinary precision rate of +5 to -5 seconds a year.
This commemorative watch is offered in a limited series of 1,500 and will be available from April.

A second limited edition also commemorates the 25th anniversary of the caliber 9F. The case design is a contemporary re-interpretation of the celebrated 44GS from 1967 and showcases the beauty of the finishing on the 9F movement through an exhibition case back. The robust construction is clear to see and the striped pattern of the engraving bears witness to the care taken on the finishing on ever 9F movement, which, albeit hidden behind the case back in every other model, is assembled and finished by hand to the same high standard.
The dial, with its special markings and star symbol, is the same as on the first commemorative edition. The bezel is in gold. It is a limited edition of 600 pieces and will be available in May.

The case of both watches is made from stainless steel with a diameter of 39.1 mm and a water resistance of 10 bar.
Both watches are completed by a stainless steel bracelet.

Limited Edition: The Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph

Veröffentlicht am von
Antworten

Since its birth in 1960, the Grand Seiko watch shared the commitment to the pure essentials of watchmaking: precision, durability, legibility and beauty. The 55th anniversary Limited Edition features enhancements in each of these essential characteristics of the Grand Seiko.

Grand-Seiko-Spring-Drive-Chronograph-GMT-SBGC013-1This wristwatch is powered by a specially tuned version of the Spring Drive calibre 9R96, an automatic calibre with a manual winding mechanism. This unique movment is specially tuned for enhanced accuracy. The crystal oscillators are selected individually, realizing an accuracy of +/- 10 seconds per month. A lion emblem in 18 carat yellow gold graces the oscillating weight to symbolize the enhanced accuracy.
The 9R96 movement has a 72 hours power reserve. It also has a lot of great functions that include the time with subsidiary seconds, date, power reserve indicator, GMT hand, and a 12-hour chronograph.

Grand-Seiko-Spring-Drive-Chronograph-GMT-SBGC013-caseback-movementThis is the first ever Grand Seiko watch to use a ceramic bezel. The deep black ceramic on the bezel gives the watch a crisp and refined appearance. Ceramic is seven times harder and 25% lighter than stainless steel and therefore especially scrat resistant. Its surface is specially polished to the highest possible level to create a long-lasting and super-flat mirror finish.
The 43.5 mm case is made from high-intensity titanium and it features a high definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.

The signature colour of the Grand Seiko is a deep blue and it sets the tone for this watch. The chronograph hands are golden, creating a strong contrast with the blue dial and giving high legibility to the stopwatch function.

Both the movement and the complete watch are assembled in the Shinshu Watch Studio, in the mountainous area in the center of Japan.
The Grand Seiko is water resistant up to 10 Bar and features a titanium bracelet.

The watch is offered in a limited edition of just 400 pieces.