Grand Seiko Elegance Collection Brings New Slim Case & New GS Caliber

roadwarrior

Grand Tyme Master
Founding Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2014
Messages
64,638
Grand Seiko Elegance Collection Brings New Slim Case & New GS Caliber


Big news today from Japan: the all-new Grand Seiko Elegance Collection brings a new, slim case, some very special dials and, to top it all off, ...
BY DAVID BREDAN
FEB 05, 2019

https://www.ablogtowatch.com/grand-seiko-elegance-collection/

Big news today from Japan: the all-new Grand Seiko Elegance Collection brings a new, slim case, some very special dials and, to top it all off, a new Grand Seiko Caliber 9S63 hand-wound mechanical caliber… Though Grand Seiko’s recent pricing anomalies seem to endure. More on all this right below.

From left to right: SBGK006, SBGK004, SBGK002.

Grand-Seiko-Elegance-Collection-SBGK002-SBGK004-SBGK006-Dress-Watch-Urushi-Lacquer-Dial-Gold-2019-aBlogtoWatch-7.jpg


A new manual-winding caliber. A new slim profile. An Urushi dial. The Grand Seiko Elegance Collection sets a new course.

GS_20190130_PR01_A_01065009316161_jpg.jpg


A new dial combines Grand Seiko’s signature Mt. Iwate pattern and “Suki-urushi” lacquer. SBGK002

Grand Seiko is pleased to announce a new slim design in the Elegance Collection. The combination of a new case, a new manual-winding caliber with a small seconds hand and Urushi lacquer has made possible the creation of a watch that offers a new graceful refinement as well as Grand Seiko’s uniquely Japanese aesthetic.

Caliber 9S63. A powerful movement that opens up a new design direction

Caliber 9S63 is a significant addition to the ever growing Grand Seiko family of movements. It has been eight years since the last manual-winding mechanical caliber in Grand Seiko and it has been worth the wait. Caliber 9S63 offers a small seconds hand at the nine o’clock position and a power reserve indicator at three o’clock. While these sub-dials are easy to read, they are also discreetly unobtrusive and allow the eye to enjoy the beauty of the Urushi lacquer of which the dial is made. Caliber 9S63 has a power reserve of 72 hours and delivers an accuracy rate of +5 to -3 seconds a day.

The perfect fusion of two traditions of craftsmanship

GS_20190130_PR01_H_04014410843289_jpg.jpg


A distinctive deep jet black color with the special luster that only the finest Urushi can achieve. SBGK004

In this new Urushi dialed creation, which is available in two versions, two traditions of Japanese craftsmanship come together. The pure, understated and subtle design aesthetic of Grand Seiko is evident in every detail, as is the skill and care taken by the watchmakers at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio where the watch is made. The cases are polished by a special Zaratsu method created to accentuate the beauty of the curved surfaces. The dials and the sapphire crystals are also curved to give the watches a classic look. The minute and power reserve indicator hands are bent so that they follow exactly the domed contour of the dials.

The dials also showcase a second form of Japanese craftsmanship, Urushi lacquer. The amber color dial is made from a transparent and long lasting Urushi that comes from trees grown in and around the town of Joboji that lies under Mt. Iwate, the mountain that dominates the skyline above the Shizukuishi Watch Studio. Through the amber colored “Suki-urushi” lacquer can be seen the subtle Mt. Iwate pattern that reveals the watchmakers’ pride in the natural beauty that surrounds their home. The black dial uses the same lacquer mixed with iron to give it its distinctive deep jet black color.

On both creations, the hour markers and the “GS” letters are decorated with the traditional Maki-e technique by Urushi master Isshu Tamura in his studio in Kanazawa on the west coast of Japan’s main island. Through the application of layer after layer of lacquer, these markers are given a three dimensional profile and a delicate yet strong presence on the dial. Tamura then applies the powder, either 24k gold or platinum, and polishes them by hand using his own special tools to give Maki-e its delicately shimmering appearance. These processes require great dexterity as it is very challenging to give every marker the same depth, especially on a curved surface.

visual_sp.jpg


The minute and power reserve indicator hands are bent by hand to follow perfectly the domed contour of the dial.

Initially, this new design series consists of three limited editions. The two Urushi dial executions are in 18k rose gold cases and are editions of just 150 while the third, with its blue Mt. Iwate pattern dial, is in stainless steel and is an edition of 1,500. All three are available from March, 2019. In addition, a fourth creation, with an 18k yellow gold case, will be added to the permanent Grand Seiko collection in July. This series will be available at Grand Seiko and Seiko Boutiques and selected retail partners worldwide.
kFjHtU5.png


The blue lion mark and tempered screws can be seen through the sapphire case back of SBGK005

Mechanical thin dress seriesCaliber 9S63

Driving system: manual-winding Vibrations: 28,880 vibrations per hour (8 beats per second) Accuracy: +5 to -3 seconds per day (when static) Power reserve: 72 hours Number of jewels: 33

Specifications

18k rose gold case (SBGK002, 004) 18k yellow gold case (SBGK006) Stainless steel case (SBGK005) Urushi lacquer dial (SBGK002, 004) High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating Screw see-through case back, Screw-down crown Water resistance: 3 bar Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m Diameter: 39.0mm, Thickness: 11.6mm Crocodile strap with 18k rose gold buckle (SBGK002, 004) Crocodile strap with 18k yellow gold buckle (SBGK006) Three-fold clasp with push button release (SBGK005)

Approximate recommended retail prices in Europe:
€31,400 (SBGK002, 004),
€7,400 (SBGK005),
€20,700 (SBGK006),
Limited edition of 150 (SBGK002, 004), 1500 (SBGK005)

MOVEMENT

A new design and direction with 9S63 - Manual-winding caliber with a small seconds hand


Caliber 9S63 is a significant addition to the ever growing Grand Seiko family of movements. It has been eight years since the last manual-winding mechanical caliber in Grand Seiko and it has been worth the wait. Caliber 9S63 offers a small seconds hand at the nine o’clock position and a power reserve indicator at three o’clock.
Caliber 9S63 has a power reserve of 72 hours and delivers an accuracy rate of +5 to -3 seconds a day.

movement-img01.png




MANUFACTURE


As one of the very few fully integrated watch manufactures in the world, Grand Seiko possesses a mastery over the full breadth of the watchmaking process from the research and development of component materials to manufacture, assembly, adjustment, inspection and shipment.

Grand Seiko defines the essence of watchmaking in the elements of precision, beauty, legibility, durability and ease-of-use. As a world-leading watch manufacture, Grand Seiko embodies that very essence in the unrivaled quality in every Grand Seiko watch presented to the world.

— The Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio produces world-class mechanical watches with highly accurate movements and exquisite exterior design
— The Shinshu Watch Studio drives innovative ideas and novel technologies behind the ultimate quartz watches and Seiko's exclusive Spring Drive watches

Each of these pre-eminent watch studios plays a pivotal role in combining the cutting-edge technology and masterful craftsmanship necessary to reach the pinnacle of quality represented by Grand Seiko.

img_01_16042640575374_jpg.jpg


THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE WORLD'S FOREMOST MECHANICAL WATCH


The Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio

The Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio located in Iwate Prefecture plays a key role in the production of Grand Seiko mechanical watches.

A true manufacture, the studio's craftsmen oversee the design, manufacture, assembly, adjustment, inspection and shipment of critical mechanical watch components including hairsprings.

The studio is composed of expert craftsmen and women, several of whom have won recognition as Contemporary Master Craftsmen*1 and receipt of the prestigious Medal with Yellow Ribbon*2. The combined excellence of their craft has made it possible to achieve the world's foremost mechanical watches.

With some 200 individual parts, Grand Seiko mechanical watches must exhibit a near-perfect consistency of functionality in each of these parts to ensure the precision of the final timepiece.

Manufacturing technology allowing for high-precision parts is complemented by the sheer skill of craftsmen and women able to make precise adjustments by hand to tolerances of up to one hundredth of a millimeter range, yielding countless masterpieces each with their own unique place in the history of mechanical watches.

shizukuishi-watch_16044056692949_jpg.jpg


THE CRADLE OF QUARTZ AND SPRING DRIVE WATCHES

The Shinshu Watch Studio

The Shinshu Watch Studio produces Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive and quartz watches. It has a unique mastery of craftsmanship and high technology micro-engineering.

The quartz models in the Grand Seiko collection are significantly more complex than standard quartz watches, and can only be handcrafted by expert watchmakers.
The Shinshu Watch Studio pioneered the combination of superior technology and craftsmanship which gave rise to the world's first quartz watch, and it continues to produce the ultimate in innovative quartz watches.

Over twenty years in development, the exclusive Spring Drive mechanism began as a revolutionary concept in watchmaking and only came to fruition through the technological expertise of a true watch manufacture.
Spring Drive continues to evolve today. Advanced models have pushed the limits of complication and accuracy, including a Spring Drive Chronograph with stopwatch functionality and the Spring Drive eight day power reserve.

The Shinshu Watch Studio boasts world-leading craftsmanship, with mastery of techniques such as Zaratsu polishing, which creates the sharply defined edges and seamless mirror finishing that is the signature of Grand Seiko.

img_02_16044408481570_jpg.jpg






 
These are horological works of art. Amazing technology in every piece. Love to have one in my modest collection.
 
The SS MT Iwate dial is true artistry if I was asked.
 
​Spectacular, and captivating, time pieces indeed.
 
those textured dials are delicious! reminds me of a couple Glashutte Original pieces. I'm sure they are stunning in person.
 
Back
Top Bottom