Grand Seiko dial designers must spend a lot of time gazing out of the window of their studio in the shadow of Mount Iwate in Japan because the view provides endless inspiration.
The first two watches of 2023, both in 37mm stainless steel cases, are prime examples.
One has a silver dial whose texture and colour evoke the sight of the sea of clouds that cover Mount Iwate in the early morning.
The other has been given a sunray blue dial, inspired by the clear sky seen from the top of the same mountain.
Both are powered by versions of Grand Seiko’s Caliber 9S automatic movement, which was first unveiled 25 years’ ago in 1998 and has been developed over the years into a series of calibers, including the 9SAS, which launched in 2020.
The textured silver-dialed model — Caliber 9S 25th Anniversary Limited Edition: SBGH311 — uses a Hi-Beat 36000 automatic mechanical Caliber 9S85, which has an accuracy rate of +5 / -3 seconds per day and delivers a power reserve of 55 hours.
It is being made in a limited run of 1,200 pieces that will initially be sold exclusively on Grand Seiko’s ecommerce site in January before going out to select retail partners worldwide in February.
The sky blue Caliber 9S 25th Anniversary Limited Edition: SBGR325 uses the Caliber 9S65, which has three-day power reserve.
It is also a limited edition of 1,200, but will not go on sale until April through both GS boutiques and authorised dealers.
The silver version goes to market with a retail price of £6,150 while the sunray blue-dialed piece is £4,900.
