First Look

Grand Seiko Takes seasonal Inspiration

By Sarah Jayne Potter | 3 minute read

Grand Seiko are often known for pushing the creative boundaries when it comes to their timepieces, as well as merging nature with technology. From pieces inspired by winding rivers and impressive mountains to watches inspired by the seasons themselves, each design is as unique as they come.

For 2021, we see Grand Seiko taking their love for nature to a new level, with a selection of pieces inspired by the seasons Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. In Japan, it is said that each of the four seasons carries with them their own distinct characters and nature, and each change from one to the next brings the nature of time ever closer to our senses.

To celebrate the occasion of the turn of the season, the brand has released four new timepieces; Shunbun - Spring, Shōsho - Summer, Kanro - Autumn/Fall, and Tōji - Winter. Excitingly, the Shōsho timepiece is exclusive to the Watches of Switzerland Group until September. High Summer approaches and, at last, the rainy season ends. In Shōsho, the warm wind creates delicate ripples in the many thousands of lakes and ponds that shimmer in the early summer sun throughout Japan. The wave pattern dial brings Shōsho to life and the long, tapered seconds hand adds delicate yet powerful detail to a stunning watch.

The high-specification Calibre 9S86 delivers the same accuracy, +5 to -3 seconds a day, and the same power reserve, 55 hours, as the core Calibre 9S85, while also offering the GMT function that the international traveller needs to ensure that the accuracy of the time shown is not compromised when the time zone is changed. The GMT hand shows the time in the home time zone so you can always be up to speed across both times.

Pulling the crown out by one notch enables the hour hand to be adjusted without stopping the second hand so that the highly accurate timekeeping delivered by the Hi-Beat 36000 is not lost. Calibre 9S86 is the embodiment of the Grand Seiko ideal of high accuracy, maintaining exceptional precision in both the essential time display and the GMT function.

If the release of this piece was not exciting enough, we are also thrilled to announce that we have partnered with Grand Seiko and opened a stand-alone boutique in SoHo. This location encompasses the fullest representation of the Grand Seiko brand in downtown New York. We will be welcoming our clients into an exceptional experience where they will be greeted by expert individuals that are all highly knowledgeable in the uniqueness of the Japanese brand and their collections.

The exterior of the boutique is framed by impressive glass panels displaying the newest pieces from the brand and walking in visitors will be greeted by an airy space with Grand Seiko pieces artfully merchandised to highlight the craftsmanship and quality of the collections. There are dedicated spaces with lounge areas and display cases that you can peruse the collections, and the interior décor is a mixture of stunning photographs of Grand Seiko pieces,

The space is intended to invite visitors and customers to learn more about the Grand Seiko brand, engage with its timepieces hands on, and fully experience the spirit of Takumi which means Artisan in Japanese.

Watches of Switzerland is a trading name of Watches of Switzerland Company Limited. Registered Office: Aurum House, 2 Elland Road, Braunstone, Leicester, LE3 1TT, Registered in England and Wales, Company number 00146087. Registered VAT Number 834 8634 04. Watches of Switzerland Company Limited acts as a broker and not a lender and offers finance from Secure Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance and PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH trading as PayPal Credit. Watches of Switzerland Company Limited is authorised and regulated by the Finance Conduct Authority. Our registration number is 308710. Credit provided is subject to age and status, minimum spend applies. Terms and Conditions apply. UK residents only. We may receive a commission if your application is successful, and the amount may vary depending on the product chosen and the amount of credit taken out. Not all products are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and FOS protection will not be extended to unregulated agreements. Please note the Consumer Credit Act states that should your purchase / loan amount cost more than £30,000 you will not be covered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

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Grand Seiko Takes seasonal Inspiration

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