Grand Seiko stands as one of the few premium Japanese watchmakers that produce some of the best watches in the world by artisans outside of Switzerland and Germany.
It was the determination to excel that brought together a small team of Seiko’s finest watchmakers to create the “king” of watches. That resulted in the birth of Grand Seiko in 1960.
2020 marks Grand Seiko’s 60th anniversary. Now, the number 60 is not just one of the most fundamental numbers in horology, but, in Japan, it has an additional significance as a moment of new energy and re-birth.
To mark this momentous occasion, Grand Seiko set out a full year of celebrations as well as introducing four new timepieces that are part of its Heritage Collection.
Though each of the four creations exemplifies a very different aspect of the wide range of expertise and craftsmanship that Grand Seiko commands, they all share a common design characteristic in the use of Grand Seiko’s signature blue colour.
With that said, let us take a closer look at the four limited editions made by Grand Seiko.
Heritage Collection Hi-Beat 36000 Limited Edition
The 60th-anniversary celebration starts with two automatic watches that are unmistakably and quintessentially Grand Seiko. This men’s watch pays homage to the famous 44GS from 1967 whose design was the first expression of the unique Japanese Grand Seiko Style that has since become the brand’s visual signature. Within the piece, you will find the high beat Caliber 9S85 which delivers an accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds a day and boasts a 55-hour power reserve.
One thing to note is the use of colour in the watches. On them, the Grand Seiko symbol is in gold and the seconds hand is in a vivid red, colors that, together, symbolize a sunrise and all the new energy that a new dawn brings.
Elegance Collection Women’s Automatic Limited Edition
Grand Seiko’s women’s collection has a new addition in the form of a new automatic watch that is powered by Caliber 9S27, an automatic movement that delivers a perfect balance of precision (+8 to -3 seconds a day), power reserve (50 hours) and slimness.
Quite the visual stunner, it has a mother of pearl dial in, of course, Grand Seiko blue and has diamonds as hour markers. As this is Grand Seiko’s diamond anniversary, it is fitting that this watch is fitted with 45 diamonds on its bezel.
Both creations will be available in February 2020 as limited editions; 1,500 for the men’s watch and 300 for the women’s.
Heritage Collection Quartz Limited Edition
Sport Collection Quartz Limited Edition
