During the last edition of Watches and Wonders, which took place from 30 March to 5 April 2022, there was no lack of interesting news, directly from Japan, by one of the most interesting Maison at the moment, in terms of innovation and manufacturing: Grand Seiko.
For lovers of Japanese watchmaking, as in my case, the seven new Grand Seiko watches presented by the maison are each equipped with different characteristics.
Let’s find out together in detail in this article!
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection
Introduced in 2020, this collection has been enriched with the presentation of five new models: a Diver, two GMT and two GMT Chronographs.
The style of this collection carries on the foundations of the style behind Grand Seiko making them, in this way, suitable for the new generation and setting new standards of readability, ease of use and beauty.
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection: the new diver
Equipped with a brand new Spring Drive 5 Days caliber, this Diver with reference SLGA015, with a solid and robust appearance, offers high precision thanks to a deviation of ± 10 seconds per month and a power reserve of five days.
The material chosen to make the case and the bracelet is titanium, which guarantees a weight reduced by 30% compared to steel and greater resistance to scratches and corrosion.
Also to improve scratch resistance, the black bezel was made of ceramic. The dial, of intense black color, has a splendid decorated surface, inspired by the particular aspect of the oceans that surround the Japanese archipelago and which are crossed by sea currents of great power.
The dial is protected by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal while on the back, we find a screw-down titanium case back which, together with the crown, also screw-down, guarantees water resistance to a depth of 200 meters.
(If you want to find out more details about the water resistance of watches, I invite you to read our recent article dedicated to this topic).
As for the dimensions of the new Grand Seiko Diver, we find a case diameter of 43.8mm, a lug-to-lug of 51.5mm and a thickness of 13.8mm. Finally, the bracelet has a triple folding clasp with a push-button release safety lock and a solid, sliding regulator.
Available from 1 July 2022, this new Diver has a retail price of € 11,800.
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection: the new GMTs
Presented in two variants, this new GMT is equipped with caliber 9R66, an automatic Spring Drive with a GMT function and a 3-day power reserve. Thanks to the high precision of this movement, the daily deviation is only ± 1 seconds. These two new models, one with reference SBGE283 and the other with reference SBGE285, each have a different dial.
As for the first, we find a black dial while, for the second model, we find a dial inspired by the landscape in which it was created. The latter, in fact, was created with a delicately structured surface pattern that recalls the morning fog present in winter in the mountains of Nagano, the home of Spring Drive.
Case and strap are also made of titanium, like the Diver model, guaranteeing, also in this case, a weight reduction of 30% compared to steel and greater resistance. Looking at the dial, we can immediately notice the presence of an extra hand dedicated to the GMT function, which, once set, allows you to read a second time zone.
The power reserve indicator is positioned between 7 and 8 hours; at 3 o’clock, however, we find the date. An anti-reflective sapphire crystal, a screw-down case back and a screw-down crown have also been adopted for these two models. These models have a water resistance of up to 10 bar (check out our article on water resistance to understand what it means).
As for the dimensions, the case has a diameter of 41 mm, a lug-to-lug of 48.3 mm and a thickness of 13.9 mm. Finally, the bracelet features a triple folding clasp with push button release. Available from 1 July 2022, these two new GMTs have a retail price of € 8,500.
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection: the new chronographs GMT
To conclude the novelties of the Evolution 9 Collection, we find two Grand Seiko with GMT chronographs in two different variants with two dedicated references: SBGC249 and SBGC251. The first model, in a limited edition, features a deep blue dial and bezel which evokes the night sky which contrasts with the brightness of the high intensity titanium case. The second model, on the other hand, has a black dial and bezel.
As for the caliber, these two watches are powered by a specially regulated movement, Caliber 9R96, which allows for a daily deviation of just ± 0.5 seconds.
In addition to the time indication, we find other functions such as the date, the GMT hand for a second time zone, the power reserve indicator and the chronograph.
The latter allows you to measure a time interval of up to 12 hours while the second hand moves with a continuous scroll.
The case, made of titanium, has a diameter of 45.3 mm, a lug-to-lug of 52.6 mm and a thickness of 15.8 mm.
The bracelet, also in titanium, is equipped with a triple folding clasp with push button release.
Available from 1 June 2022, the blue dial model, limited to 700 pieces, has a retail price of € 12,500.
The model with a black dial, on the other hand, available from 1 September 2022, has a retail price of € 11,500.
Grand Seiko Masterpiece Collection: the White Lion
This new model enriches the prestigious Grand Seiko Masterpiece Collection.
The strength and power of the lion are at the heart of this watch made with sparkling diamonds, white gold and 950 Platinum combined to create a real watchmaking jewel.
Equipped with caliber 9R01, this Spring Drive movement guarantees high precision with a deviation of ± 0.5 seconds per day and an 8-day power reserve.
The case diameter is 44.5 mm, the lug-to-lug of 52 mm and the thickness of 14.4 mm.
Complete with a white crocodile leather strap, this new model is limited to 5 pieces with a retail price of € 250,000.
Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon
To conclude with the novelties of Grand Seiko, the Maison presented what for me was one of the most interesting and amazing novelties of all of this edition of Watches and Wonders: the Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon.
It is a real watchmaking masterpiece capable of enchanting even those who are not passionate about this world, it is really difficult not to be amazed in front of such a watch.
To learn more about this watch, I refer you to our recent dedicated article.
Finally, for more information on the Grand Seiko world, I refer you to their website and for all real-time updates from the world of watchmaking, I invite you to follow our Instagram account.
