Quality time
The quest for balance and harmony
Grand Seiko timepieces are exemplary examples of the pursuit of harmony and order
Japanese artisans tend to be renowned for their pursuit of harmony and order, and their love of natural beauty. Grand Seiko timepieces are exemplary examples of this life philosophy. With its characteristic pared-back “Grand Seiko Style” design codes — first defined by the model 44GS in 1967 — and a samurai-sword-like focus on quality and precision, this is a brand that resonates with a world seeking to restore balance.
At the time, the 44GS was recognised for achieving the highest level of accuracy of any manually wound five-beat watch in the world. The same year, Grand Seiko released the 62GS, featuring its first automatic movement, and in 1968 its first automatic Hi-Beat 36000 or 10-beat 61GS. With a 10-beat movement, the balance wheel that controls the accuracy of the mechanical watch oscillates 10 times per second. This is equivalent to 36 000 oscillations per hour (or vibrations per hour), which earns it the name “Hi-Beat 36000”. Most movements beat at a rate of 21 600 oscillations per hour (six per second) to 28 800 per hour (eight per second).
It features the Hi-Beat 36000 Caliber 9SA5 mechanical movement, which is an evolution of the 9S series first introduced in 1990. The 9S was also the first Grand Seiko movement to be submitted to and pass the official Swiss COSC chronometer testing, adding to the already highly regarded rigorous testing conducted by Grand Seiko internally. The revolutionary Caliber 9SA5 has a precision rate of +5 to -3 seconds a day and an impressive power reserve of 80 hours. The crisp dial of the 80 Hours is inspired by the beautiful white-birch forests near the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi in northern Japan.
Joining the Heritage Collection this year is the Hi-Beat 36000 GMT 44GS 55th Anniversary Limited Edition of only 1 200 numbered pieces. This 30% lighter-weight titanium edition has a white dial with a soft sheen as an update to the 2014 GPHG prize-winning stainless-steel GMT, which received the “Petite Aiguille” award for exceptional design and everyday wearability at an accessible price.
The Caliber 9S86 is built on the Hi-Beat 9S85 platform that has been in use since 2009. This higher frequency means that the watch will deliver a higher rate of accuracy, but usually also means greater wear on components. To counteract this, Seiko uses its special Spron 610 alloy for the balance springs, which also provides greater resistance to magnetism and shock.
A new reverser was created to increase winding efficiency. The redesigned hairspring and mainspring complement cutting-edge Micro Electro Mechanical Systems technology to raise precision, reduce component weight, and improve durability. A special gold-toned titanium oscillating weight is visible through the sapphire caseback.
POA, grand-seiko.com or Seiko Boutique 010 285 0091