GRAND SEIKO: A HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE - SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWS

What makes Grand Seiko some of the most sought-after luxury watches?

There are three primary factors that define Grand Seiko as a brand; precision, beauty, and ease of use. Their master watchmakers combine the finest technology, design, and finish in order to consistently excel in these areas. It is the unrivalled excellence of their watchmakers that allows this Japanese brand to have some of the most sought-after luxury watches in the world. But it is not just their technical precision that has collectors returning to the brand time and time again – the hallmark of all Grand Seiko collections is their functional beauty and design purity. 

(Model Pictured: SBGE255)

A History of Excellence

It was a determination to excel and a desire to create the ideal timepiece that brought about the birth of Grand Seiko in 1960. The first Seiko shop was opened in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori, a 21 year old entrepreneur dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in horology. The small Tokyo Clock shop quickly blossomed into much more when he opened the “Seikosha” factory just eleven years later. Kintaro’s tireless pursuit of excellence drove him to craft the first ever wristwatch created in Japan which he dubbed The Laurel. In 1913, at the time of its creation, most men and women in Japan were still using pocket watches, and the few wrist watches that existed amongst Japanese society were imported from Europe. Seiko continued to stay ahead of the curve in 1959 with the creation of their proprietary “Magic Lever” system; an innovative self-winding watch mechanism.

(First Grand Seiko Watch, 1960)

In 1960, Seiko’s most experienced and skilled watchmakers were entrusted with crafting the very best watch of which they were capable; one that was equally balanced in technology, beauty, legibility, and accuracy. It was nine years later that their skill made itself clear, with the creation of the world’s first quartz watch – accurate to within 5 seconds per month and with the ability to run continuously for one year. From then on it was a series of “world’s first” headlines for Grand Seiko. 

Award-Winning Design

Grand Seiko’s achievements culminated in 2021 at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, where the Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours was declared to be the best men’s watch of the year. This prestigious award is highly coveted amongst watchmakers, and is one of the highest honours a watch can receive. In his acceptance speech, Akio Naito, president of Seiko Watch Corporation perfectly summarised why the Hi-Beat was the clear choice for first place:

“This watch exemplifies Grand Seiko’s never-ending pursuit of watchmaking excellence in every aspect. We are honoured that the tradition of quality and spirit of Grand Seiko’s watchmaking is recognised at our industry’s most important award ceremony.” 

(President of Seiko Watch Corporation, Akio Naito, speaking at the 2021 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève)

Precision

The spirit of Grand Seiko’s watchmaking is exemplified in their unique approach to precision. The Japanese brand’s watches effortlessly combine timeless tradition with unmatched technology, resulting in some of the most accurate movements in the entire luxury watch industry.

(Model Pictured: SBGA211)

The Spring Drive movement of the Grand Seiko Snowflake SBGA211 is a prime example of the brand’s incredible precision. The Spring Drive watch technology skillfully combines the power and driving force of a mechanical watch with the precision of quartz to deliver a level of accuracy that is unrivalled by any other luxury watch brand. Pair that with the Snowflake’s elegant design and it is clear why Grand Seiko is beloved amongst watch collectors worldwide.

Design & Beauty

A hallmark of all Grand Seiko pieces is the uniquely Japanese sense of beauty with which they are created; it is a tranquil kind of beauty, a perfect harmony of sharp angles and smooth curves. These luxury timepieces typify the spirit of Takumi, a Japanese word which refers to a craftsman who is unrivalled in their field, one who pours their heart and soul into every creation. 

(Image Source: Grand Seiko)

Their master watchmakers’ pursuit of the ideal watch is neverending, and their ability to craft pieces of refined beauty is unmatched. This ability is in part due to the brand’s captivation with nature; it is a well-known fact that the understated elegance and charm that is innate in Grand Seiko watches is inspired by the watchmakers’ natural surrounds. 

(Model Pictured: SLGA009)

The Grand Seiko White Birch SLGH005 and SLGA009 represent this captivation with stunning clarity. Their dials are inspired by the slender and strikingly beautiful white birch tree forests that  thrive in gorgeous abundance near the Grand Seiko Shizukuishi and Shinshu watch Studios. To gaze upon the dial of any White Birch timepiece is to be a visitor to these forests. 

Materials

The materials of Grand Seiko watches are selected for each new design with singular focus and masterful discernment. Each metal, alloy, and crystal is chosen with the aim of furthering their commitment to precision, beauty, and ease of use. The selection of materials is especially important for the technologies used in the movements of the watch, which is why Grand Seiko has been developing their own alloys (known as “Spron”) for use in their watches’ springs. Each new generation of the Spron alloy has brought them to another level of precision and another step closer to their goal of creating the perfect timepiece. 

Not only have they created their own alloys, but Grand Seiko also grows its own crystals in-house to ensure that they can create quartz movements with unrivalled performance. Each crystal is selected with utmost care, ensuring that its individual characteristics will perfectly fit the Caliber 9F mechanism.

 (Image Source: Grand Seiko)

So are Grand Seiko watches a good investment? In our opinion, they most certainly are. The brand’s history of excellence in functionality and precision, award-winning design, elegant finishing and high calibre materials set them apart and make their timepieces increasingly popular additions to the discerning watch enthusiast’s collection. 

Discover the master craftsmanship and elegance of Grand Seiko watches in Sydney at J Farren-Price today, proudly an official Grand Seiko Australia dealer since 2019.