Grand Seiko is once again showing its love for nature in its native Japan with a fresh addition to its Heritage Collection, the SLGH005, which has a dial designed to look like the bark of white birch trees that thrive in northern Japan.
Watchmakers at Grand Seiko’s Shizukuishi Studio, where this timepiece is made, are surrounded by the tall, slender birch trees, so they can take inspiration while working at their benches.
Grand Seiko says the look of the watch will henceforth be known as Series 9 Design, but can trace its origins back the 44GS launched back in 1967.
It is both classic and contemporary with the birch bark texture dial punctuated with prominent hour markers and sitting behind precision hours, minutes and seconds hands that will keep turning for 80 hours without the watch being wound.
The 40mm Hi-Beat stainless steel watch houses the automatic Caliber 9SA5 — visible through a crystal case back — which was launched last year as part of Grand Seiko’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
It goes on sale in Match at Grand Seiko boutiques and retail partner stores in March for £8,500.
