With brands increasingly choosing to make ‘unisex’ watches today, it often feels that feminine timepieces are compromises that do little to live up to what women really want to wear.
That makes this new trio from Grand Seiko’s Elegance Collection all the more delicious as GS has obviously done its research, resulting in the perfect package of substance and style.
The Grand Seiko ‘Mizu-Hanada’ ref. STGK023G (£5,100) features a petite 27.8mm stainless-steel case with matching three-link bracelet with triple-folding clasp. The dial is in sky blue with a slub texture of horizontal and vertical lines that resemble linen fabric. Eleven diamonds take the place of hour markers, with a date window replacing the index at 3 o’clock.
Within the case is the diminutive, self-winding Calibre 9S27, which demonstrates Grand Seiko’s expertise in developing small movements that lose nothing in terms of accuracy. Despite its slimness, the 9S27 still offers a precision rate of +8 to−3 seconds a day and a power reserve of 50 hours.
The Grand Seiko ‘Pearl White Linen’ ref. STGK021G (£8,250) shares a case, bracelet and movement with the Mizu-Hanada but this model features a fresh, white, fabric-look dial finish. Instead of diamond indices, the bezel is gem-set, while the hours are represented by faceted baton markers.
While the first two models are sure to be big hits, the real showstopper among the threesome is the Grand Seiko ‘Sakura’ ref. STGK019 (£9,000), which combines the stone setting from previous models presenting a bezel set with 34 white diamonds and a face bearing 11 diamond indices. The dial itself uses the same texture as the Mizu-Hanada and Pearl White Linen but offers it in a gorgeous baby pink shade, the colour of Japan’s famous cherry blossom.
All indications suggest that this will be a 2023 smash hit in the UK – especially as the Grand Seiko ‘Shunbun’ Spring Cherry Blossom Spring Drive with pale pink dial has proved to be the top seller for the Grand Seiko New Bond Street boutique in February.
The three models feature an anti-reflective sapphire crystal and an exhibition caseback and all will be available in August 2023 at Grand Seiko boutiques.
