Grand Seiko Continues 60th Anniversary Celebrations With New 1960 Re-Creation Fashions And New Devoted Studio In Shizukuishi

While the model itself might not have such deep roots within the West, Japanese luxurious model Grand Seiko celebrates is 60th anniversary in 2020. Whereas celebrations for the event began again in January, Grand Seiko has a full 12 months of commemorative exercise lined up, and two of probably the most thrilling anniversary presents have simply been introduced. First, the unique Grand Seiko design from 1960 has been resurrected for 3 good-looking new common manufacturing fashions, whereas the model itself strikes to an all new mechanical manufacturing studio in Shizukuishi, Japan, within the shadow of scenic Mt. Iwate.

Whereas Grand Seiko beforehand launched a contemporary reinterpretation of the unique 1960 Grand Seiko as a part of the model’s unbiased relaunch in 2017, that limited-edition sequence supplied some key variations for these new iterations. The minimal, timeless case design of the 2017 model is almost unchanged right here, with each measuring in at 38mm in diameter, whereas the circumstances of the brand new variations are only a hair thicker at 10.9mm versus 10.7mm. Additionally just like the 2017 restricted editions, this new trio provides variations in each 18okay yellow gold and platinum (though the 2017 model supplied 999 platinum, versus the 950 platinum of the brand new launch). The place issues start to diverge, nevertheless, is within the third mannequin. Whereas the preliminary limited-edition run opted for a mannequin in fundamental chrome steel, this time round, Grand Seiko has constructed a case from its proprietary Sensible Laborious Titanium, a singular alloy that mixes the brightness and luster of chrome steel with the sturdiness and lightweight weight of titanium. The opposite main change to the case comes round again, the place Seiko has diverged from each the 1960 unique and the 2017 restricted editions by choosing a sapphire show again. Whereas this would possibly upset purists, with the unimaginable ending high quality of recent Grand Seiko actions, it’s troublesome to argue in opposition to this as something however a visible deal with.

All three of the Grand Seiko 1960 Re-Creation sequence stay extraordinarily trustworthy to the dial design of the 1960 unique, with the identical faceted edges on the dauphine fingers, the identical jewel-cut utilized indices, and even the identical dial textual content font above the tiny star emblem at 6 o’clock. Every model, nevertheless, interprets these classical components in a barely totally different means. The 18okay gold mannequin, for instance, is almost indistinguishable from its 1960 counterpart with its creamy white dial and gold accents. The platinum model, in the meantime, units itself other than the pack with a refined sunburst dial sample, a cooler total coloration palette, and a change from an utilized to a extra dramatic etched Grand Seiko brand at 12 o’clock (a carryover from the 2017 platinum version). The Sensible Laborious Titanium mannequin, nevertheless, is probably the most visually arresting with a deep navy sunburst dial end and silvery printed brand.

Inside these three new fashions lies Grand Seiko’s 9S64 manufacture hand-wound motion. This 24-jewel powerplant options brilliantly sharp etching and Côtes de Genève all through, whereas offering a hefty 72-hour energy reserve together with a clean, 28,800 bph sweep and +5/-Three second each day accuracy.

Every of the three Grand Seiko 1960 Re-Creation fashions is paired with a crocodile leather-based strap in a complementary hue (black for the platinum mannequin, honey brown for gold, and midnight blue for titanium) completed with a signed butterfly clasp. All three fashions can be out there by means of Grand Seiko licensed sellers starting in June, with an MSRP of $38,000 for platinum, $26,000 for gold, and $eight,000 for titanium.

Additionally arriving in June is the all-new Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, a brand new facility devoted to assembling and adjusting Grand Seiko’s mechanical actions alongside the prevailing Morioka Seiko Devices advanced. This new studio will look immediately upon the slopes of Mt. Iwate, lengthy an inspiration for Grand Seiko’s design group, and can function an exhibition and museum area for guests to study the six-decade historical past of the Grand Seiko model. For extra info, please go to the model’s web site.