Since its introduction in 2019, the lion-inspired case shape has become a coveted series within Grand Seiko’s Sports Collection. Inspired by the brand’s emblem, the lion, which first graced the back of the inaugural Grand Seiko timepiece from 1960, this angular and claw-like case design provides an ideal platform for showcasing the harmonious contrasts of Zaratsu polishing and hairline finishing. Last year at Watches & Wonders Geneva, a silver-dialed time and date version made its debut. This year, Grand Seiko iterates on this emblematic design with a new reference, SBGE307, now equipped with a GMT function.

The SBGE307 epitomizes the essence of a Grand Seiko sports watch in every aspect. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, its high-intensity titanium construction not only ensures exceptional durability but also offers a lightweight feel to both the case and bracelet, enhancing comfort for extended wear. Despite its generous 44.5mm case size, the masterfully designed form of the SBGE307 ensures a snug and ergonomic fit on the wrist, seamlessly blending functionality with style.

With a dual-curved sapphire crystal protecting its shining white dial, adorned with a pattern inspired by the flowing mane of the majestic lion, the SBGE307 exudes sophistication and versatility in equal measure. Additionally, the prominent GMT hand immediately draws the eye, ensuring high legibility and adding a distinctive touch to its design.

The SBGE307 is driven by Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive 9R66 Caliber. This movement features true GMT functionality, enabling independent adjustment of the local hour hand while the GMT hand remains fixed to “home” time.

The advantage of this feature becomes evident when traveling to a new time zone. Upon arrival, the wearer can easily adjust the hour hand to the correct local time without needing to reset the entire watch. With the 9R66 boasting an impressive accuracy of +/-15 seconds per month, the convenience of not having to reset the time allows the wearer to fully appreciate the watch’s unparalleled precision.

The SBGE307 GMT will be available at the Grand Seiko boutique at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore and select retail partners starting in August 2024 for MYR 47,800.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Grand Seiko dedicated itself to crafting automatic and manually wound ten-beat timepieces, aiming for enhanced rate stability and precision. Now, after over 50 years, Grand Seiko unveils a new hand-wound high-beat movement, Caliber 9SA4. This marks the third addition to the latest generation of the mechanical Caliber 9S platform, which debuted in 2020 with the automatic Caliber 9SA5 and was followed by last year’s introduction of the Tentagraph Caliber 9SC5 chronograph.

Similar to Caliber 9SA5, the new 9SA4 operates at a frequency of ten beats per second and boasts an 80-hour power reserve when fully wound, courtesy of its highly efficient Dual Impulse Escapement and twin barrels. Both movements feature the Grand Seiko Free-sprung Balance and a hairspring with overcoil, ensuring stability, resistance to external influences, and superior performance synonymous with Grand Seiko’s high-beat movements. Caliber 9SA4, like other Grand Seiko mechanical movements, undergoes rigorous testing in six positions at three temperatures over a 17-day period to meet the brand’s exacting standards.

While sharing many traits with the 9SA5, the redesigned Caliber 9SA4 sees nearly 40 percent of its base movement reconstructed, with meticulous attention given to enhancing the tactile, auditory, and visual aspects of the winding experience. Notably, the movement’s click (a crucial component preventing the mainspring from unwinding) has been refined to perfect its feel and sound. The crown halts when the movement reaches full power. The click is fashioned in the shape of a wagtail, a bird symbolic of Morioka, the city near the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi where all Grand Seiko mechanical watches are meticulously made.

The redesigned movement allows for the distinctive bird-like pecking motion of the click to be visible through the sapphire crystal case back during winding, complemented by delicate finishing inspired by the Shizukuishi River, capturing the natural beauty of the studio’s surroundings. A power-reserve indicator is kept off the dial and moved to one of the movement bridges. Furthermore, improvements in the gear train layout and component redesign enhance winding efficiency, enabling Caliber 9SA4 to achieve an 80-hour power reserve with 15 percent fewer crown rotations compared to Caliber 9SA5. Thanks to this slimmer architecture, Grand Seiko’s newest mechanical timepieces, both inspired by birch trees, boast a diameter of 38.6mm and a thickness of just 9.95mm. Ensuring comfort and stability, the watch’s center of gravity has been lowered, consistent with the renowned standards of Grand Seiko’s Evolution 9 creations.

The debut of Caliber 9SA4 will accompany a new dress watch design from the Evolution 9 Collection, continuing Grand Seiko’s iconic lineage tracing back to the legendary 44GS from 1967. This time, the Evolution 9 Style undergoes further refinement to embody the charm, elegance, grace, and subtlety expected of a hand-wound dress watch. The design has been carefully reassessed, with features such as the grooved indexes slimmed down and elongated, and the multifaceted lugs narrowed with reduced surface area to enhance the watch’s aesthetic appeal.

Crafted from Grand Seiko’s Brilliant Hard Titanium, the case of SLGW003 exhibits a luminous quality surpassing traditional titanium, enhancing the Zaratsu-polished surfaces with a captivating radiance. This material not only ensures lightness but also provides highly resistance to corrosion and scratches, with a hardness double that of standard stainless steel. Additionally, the limited edition SLGW002 features a case and clasp crafted from 18k rose gold. This limited edition in precious metal shares the same dial color and pattern as its Brilliant Hard Titanium counterpart but is distinguished by gold hour markers.

Inspired by the slender white birch trees abundant in northern Japan and flourishing near the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, both watches capture the intricate texture of the birch tree’s bark in a completely new dial pattern.

Both timepieces will be available in August 2024, with the rose gold SLGW002 limited to just 80 pieces and exclusively available at the Grand Seiko Boutique at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore for SGD 70,000. The Brilliant Hard Titanium SLGW003 will join the mainstay Evolution 9 Collection and will be available at the Grand Seiko Boutique and select retail partners for MYR 49,400.

Not far from the Shinshu Watch Studio, where all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are made, the vast Hotaka mountain range rises from the heart of central Japan. On summer mornings, the sun reflects off this landscape to create a beautiful tapestry of mountain scenery with resplendent colors shifting from pink to orange.

Caliber 9R, the movement family that powers all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches, turns 20 this year. A new chronograph GMT inspired by this mountainous landscape is created to mark the milestone. The watch uses a new dial-processing technology that expresses the Japanese appreciation for the transition of time and the beauty of nature with changing colors that recall the summer mornings in the Hotaka Peaks.

The color-changing dial is made possible through a technology known as “Optical Multilayer Coating.” Rather than relying on traditional techniques, the new technology uses a physical vapor deposition process in which several layers of deposited nanoscale film express different colors depending on the angle at which the dial is viewed. From one direction, a “burnt orange” emerges; and from another, a “fiery red” prevails. Thanks to this breakthrough technology, the lion’s mane pattern, exclusive to this case shape, emerges even more clearly and can be appreciated for its subtlety, even with its warmer color tones.

The case takes inspiration from the lion, a powerful symbol of Grand Seiko since the brand’s first watch was created in 1960. Water resistant to 20 bar, the new creation is designed for high performance in any sporting situation. The prominent hour and minute hands and the wide indexes have been created to achieve the heightened legibility for which Grand Seiko is well known. These hour and minute hands, as well as the indexes, glow with green Lumibrite, while the GMT hand and the bezel numbers glow blue. The watch’s case and bracelet are high-intensity titanium, an alloy 30% lighter than stainless steel, and prized for its durability, scratch resistance, and bright color.

The new chronograph GMT is powered by Grand Seiko’s Caliber 9R96 movement, a specially adjusted version of Caliber 9R86 created to achieve a heightened accuracy of ±10 seconds per month compared to the ±15 seconds per month of Caliber 9R86.

Limited to 700 pieces, the Sport Collection Caliber 9R 20th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGC275 will be available at Grand Seiko Boutiques and select retail partners in July 2024 for MYR 57,400.

Launched in December 1960, the first Grand Seiko was a major step forward for Japanese fine watchmaking. Accurate to +12/-3 seconds per day, it was the first wristwatch from Japan to comply with the standard of excellence of the Bureaux Officiels de Contrôle de la Marche des Montres.

The lion emblem on its case back embodied the aspiration of the original Grand Seiko team to create the best watch they were capable of in terms of legibility, durability, and accuracy. More than 60 years later, we look back at this watch as a milestone that continues to inspire Grand Seiko to reach higher.

At Watches & Wonders Geneva, Grand Seiko is introducing a new limited-edition re-creation of this first timepiece, with a case and clasp in elegant 18k rose gold. The spectacular navy-blue dial with shimmering indexes evokes a “starry night”, or “Hoshizukiyo” in Japanese. Attested by the small star, the SD (Special Dial) mark, at the six o’clock position, the indexes are in solid gold, providing a dash of further refinement to the 50 individually numbered pieces honoring the origins of Grand Seiko.

Powering the watch is one of Grand Seiko’s stalwart manually wound movements, the thin, durable, and accurate Caliber 9S64, which is precise to +5/-3 seconds per day when static and has a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. Constructed for beauty as well as strength and performance, it features a large, decorated train wheel bridge and can be viewed through the watch’s sapphire crystal case back.

While the first Grand Seiko watch measured a compact 35mm, the new creation is 38mm in diameter and 10.9mm thick, a comfortable size in line with modern tastes for dress watches. It also makes for a versatile daily watch, with easy wearability complemented by a power reserve that allows it to bridge a whole weekend between windings.

The watch comes with a solid rose gold three-fold clasp that perfectly complements the case and gold markers. A supplied crocodile strap in navy-blue harmonizes with the shimmering navy-blue dial for a modern look, while a second strap in brown crocodile provides a classically elegant option.

The Re-Creation of the First Grand Seiko SBGW314 is a limited edition of 50 and will be available for a price of SGD 41,300 in June 2024 exclusively at the Grand Seiko Boutique at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

The Genbi Valley stretches over two kilometers along the Iwai River in Iwate Prefecture, home to the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi. This ravine, eroded by nature over centuries, presents a captivating blend of dynamic, untamed scenery and the serene flow of clear water. Recognized as a Place of Scenic Beauty and Nature Monument in Japan, the Genbi Valley symbolizes the harmonious coexistence of wilderness and the gentle murmurs of the Iwai River.

For Watches and Wonders 2024, Grand Seiko revisits the Genbi Valley with the new SLGH021, an exciting addition to the Evolution 9 Collection with an impressive new dial pattern paying tribute to the scenery of the Genbi Valley.

The case and bracelet of the SLGH021 are made of Ever-Brilliant Steel, renowned for its unparalleled corrosion resistance among stainless steel grades worldwide used in regular high-end watches. Notably, this marks the inaugural appearance of this material in the Evolution 9 Collection. Its inherent ability to radiate a brilliant white sheen complements the vibrant green hue of the dial, resulting in a striking visual contrast. This interplay of colors creates a captivating aesthetic appeal.

The SLGH021 measures 40mm in diameter, 11.7mm in thickness, and has a lug-to-lug length of 47mm. Beyond its accommodating size, the case design is meticulously crafted to suit a range of wrist sizes, with a lower center of gravity enhancing day-to-day wearability and comfort.

With the Evolution 9 Style design, Grand Seiko has amplified and refined elements beloved by enthusiasts. The hands and indexes are more pronounced and easily discernible, enhancing legibility. Notably, the minute hand reaches the minute track, and skilled watchmakers meticulously curve the second and minute hands. Each hour index undergoes diamond cutting, resulting in a flawlessly flat mirror finish that enhances readability across various lighting conditions, reflecting even the faintest light.

The SLGH021 is powered by the Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours 9SA5 caliber, which made its debut in 2020 and is crafted by the skilled artisans at the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi. This movement features several technical innovations, such as the Dual Impulse Escapement, twin barrels, and a free-sprung balance with a unique overcoil. Additionally, a newly designed horizontal gear train enables a slenderer construction, enhancing the watch’s overall comfort.

The new Grand Seiko SLGH021 is a limited edition of 1,000 and will be available at Grand Seiko Boutiques and select retailers in June 2024 for MYR 51,000.

Introducing a new addition to Grand Seiko’s Sport Collection: the travel-ready Hi-Beat 36000 GMT SBGJ277, inspired by the snowy valley, or sekkei in Japanese.

With its robust construction, high-functioning movement, and captivating aesthetics, the new timepiece provides to be a dependable travel partner capable of adjusting to any circumstance.

The magnificent mountain scenery of the remaining snow juxtaposed with greenery on a summer mountain is reproduced in the contrast of the snow-white colour of the textured dial alongside the green of the rotating bezel and its ring of sapphire glass.

Additionally, the bold and meticulously finished hands and indexes are generously coated with Lumibrite paint at the cardinal points, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions.

Operating at 36,000 beats per hour, the Caliber 9S86 boasts a 55-hour power reserve and achieves an accuracy rating of +5/-3 seconds per day.

Endowed with genuine GMT functionality, this model allows for independent adjustment of the local hour hand while the GMT hand remains fixed to the “home” time zone. With two 24-hour tracks – one on the dial and another on the rotating bezel – the SBGJ277 can effectively track three time zones simultaneously, making it an ideal travel companion.

The SBGJ277 retails for MYR 32,600 and will be available at Grand Seiko boutiques and authorised retailers from May 2024.

In 1967, a watch was born that would set a style for the future of Grand Seiko and establish its unique design language. This watch’s design would become one of the most recognizable in Grand Seiko’s lexicon and would prove timeless from generation to generation. Known as the 44GS, it embodied the nine design elements of the Grand Seiko Style.

In 2023, Grand Seiko continues the great legacy of the 44GS with three new creations exclusive to the U.S. market, each featuring a midsize case that debuted last year. All three have dials with Grand Seiko’s signature Mt. Iwate pattern, named for the peak visible from the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi windows.

Inspired by hanami, or the viewing of cherry blossoms, the pink dial of SBGW313 takes inspiration from the fleeting beauty of flowering sakura. Given Iwate’s northern location in Japan, the area offers a unique ability to witness the beauty of these cherry trees later in the spring season. Backdropped against a snow-capped Mt. Iwate, the bright pink bloom of the cherry trees is a sight to behold.

Drawing inspiration from tsuyu, the rainy season that begins in early summer in Japan, the green hue of SBGW311’s dial is reminiscent of the lush and fertile landscape surrounding Mt. Iwate.

And finally, the SBGW309 is a model exclusively available to members of the U.S. GS9 Club. The cool blue dial of SBGW309 evokes wind-blown, ice-covered trees, which transform into monstrous shapes known as “snow monsters,” or juhyo in Japanese. Juhyo can be seen from Mt. Iwate on the neighboring Mt. Hachimantai, creating a distinct scene of winter beauty in Iwate Prefecture.

Housed inside each model’s 36.5mm x 11.67mm stainless steel case is the manual-winding Caliber 9S64, which has a power reserve of 72 hours and an accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds per day (when static). Each watch’s crystal is box-shaped, similar to the model of 1967, yet is made of sapphire crystal and features an anti-reflective coating on the inside surface.

The new SBGW311 and SBGW313 will be available to purchase starting November 2023 at Grand Seiko Boutiques, Grand Seiko Boutique Online, and Grand Seiko Authorized Retailers. The SBGW309 will be exclusive to GS9 Club members at Grand Seiko Boutique Online and Grand Seiko GS9 Club events.

In 1967, Grand Seiko introduced the 44GS. With its distinct case, distortion-free finishing, and mesmerizing dial, the 44GS came to embody the Grand Seiko Style. In 2013, Grand Seiko unveiled the modern interpretation of the design, adapting the brand-defining model from ‘67 to more contemporary standards. In 2022, we saw the release of a new mid-size 44GS design with the smallest case diameter at 36.5mm of the series. This Grand Seiko introduction presents two new mid-size 44GS references in the Heritage Collection, SBGW297 and SBGW299.

At 36.5 mm in diameter, 11.6 mm in thickness, and just 42.7mm in length from lug tip to lug tip, the cases of SBGW297 and SBGW299 feature proportions closer to that of the ’67 original, even coming in a bit smaller in width, though slightly thicker than the historical model. To achieve this, every aspect of the case’s construction had to be reconsidered to take full advantage of Grand Seiko’s slim, manual-winding Caliber 9S64.

The case finishing is immediately eye-catching and polished using Grand Seiko’s signature Zaratsu method. These mirror-polished planes are contrasted against surfaces adorned with Grand Seiko’s hairline finishing technique. Both techniques are performed via a hand process by a dedicated Grand Seiko artisan, and these skills take years to master.

The dial of SBGW297 is rendered in white, and SBGW299 has a cool, dark-blue dial. Both feature a dramatic sunray pattern that plays beautifully with the light, creating countless combinations of light and shadow. The bezel, multi-faceted indexes, and hands have also been reimagined to fit the scaled-down dimensions. Protecting the dial, a box-shape sapphire crystal imparts warmth to the design, further connecting the watch to its mid-century predecessor.

Both models come paired with a matching stainless steel bracelet. Drilled lug holes and an 18mm lug width allow for endless leather strap combinations.

Caliber 9S64 is a mechanical manual-winding movement hand-assembled by the tremendous craftsmen and women of Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi. 9S64 is tested in six positions over 17 days — which exceeds the chronometer standard — to comply with the Grand Seiko Standard of -3 to +5 seconds mean daily rate in static conditions. When fully wound, it also features a 72-hour power reserve.

SBGW297 and SBGW299 are both Mastershop models and will be available at Grand Seiko Boutiques and authorized retailers starting November 2023.