New: Grand Seiko Elegance Collection: 4 thin dress watches

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Grand Seiko announces four new watches in the Grand Seiko Elegance Collection The four new watches will feature a new case design with a new manual-winding caliber Of the four, two will feature Japanese traditional Urushi dials

Grand Seiko SBGK002 and SBGK004: the urushi dials.

Limited Edition 150 each

Urushi dialed creation, which is available in two versions, both in a rose gold case Both versions have a pure, understated and subtle design aesthetic of Grand Seiko is evident in every detail, as is the skill and care taken by the watchmakers at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio where the watch is made

The dials is a showcase of traditional Japanese craftsmanship: Urushi lacquer.

In the SGBK002, the dial is a magnificent amber colour, made from a transparent and long lasting Urushi that comes from trees grown in and around the town of Joboji The area lies under Mt Iwate, the mountain that dominates the skyline above the Shizukuishi Watch Studio.

Through the amber colored “Suki-urushi” lacquer can be seen the subtle Mt Iwate pattern that reveals the watchmakers’ pride in the natural beauty that surrounds their home The SGBK004 features a black dial which uses the same lacquer mixed with iron to give it its distinctive deep jet black color

The cases are polished by a special Zaratsu method created to accentuate the beauty of the curved surfaces.

The dials and the sapphire crystals are also curved to give the watches a classic look The minute and power reserve indicator hands are bent so that they follow exactly the domed contour of the dials

In both of this editions, the hour markers and the “GS” letters are decorated with the traditional Maki-e technique by Urushi master Isshu Tamura in his studio in Kanazawa on the west coast of Japan’s main island.

Through the application of layer after layer of lacquer, these markers are given a three dimensional profile and a delicate yet strong presence on the dial Tamura then applies a powder of either 24k gold or platinum, and then polishes them by hand using his own special tools to give Maki-e its delicately shimmering appearance These processes require great dexterity as it is very challenging to give every marker the same depth, especially on a curved surface

SGBK005 in Stainless Steel.

Limited edition 1500

Another edition is in a special dial, known as theMt Iwate pattern dial, is in stainless steel The dial pattern is pressed onto the brass dial and the blue applied.

All three editions – SBGK002, 004, 005 are available immediately from Grand Seiko and Seiko Boutiques and selected retail partners worldwide And the SBGK006 in yellow gold will be available from July 2019.

SBGK006: Yellow Gold, permanent collection

Available from July, the same movement and case will be executed in yellow gold and will not be limited.

New movement: Caliber 9S63

The new Caliber 9S63 is the first new manual winding mechanical caliber in the Grand Seiko stable in 8 years.

The Caliber 9S63 offers a small seconds hand at the nine o’clock position []

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