Grand Seiko has been associated with the lion since its foundation as part of Seiko in 1960, and symbolises its its fundamental drive to create the perfect watch — something with the sort of elegance, presence and poise that the king of the jungle represented to the Japanese watchmaker.
It then became part of the Grand Seiko logo in much the same way as the prancing horse is integral to the Ferrari brand.
That connection is being reinforced once again with the launch this month of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph GMT (ref.SBGC253), a new sports watch inspired by the lion of its logo and with a dial designed to look like a lion’s mane.
Every design decision for the watch has been influenced by the strength of the lion, including its large, angular 44.5mm titanium case and claw-shaped lugs that angle inwards to represent the lion’s paw gripping the integrated titanium bracelet.
It is powered by Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive calibre 9R86, which combines chronograph stop watch functions with a second time zone hour hand, power reserve indicator for up to 72 hours and date.
Cramming that many functions into a single watch has required a bit of rejigging of the dial, so the subials are placed at 9, 1.30 and 4 o’clock, with the Grand Seiko logo slighly off centre at 11.30.
The textured dial is ringed by a black 24 hour bezel for reading the second time zone.
It is on sale now for £11,250.
