2026 is, in many ways, the year of Spring Drive for Grand Seiko, or more precisely, the continued rollout of its most advanced version yet, the Ultra Fine Accuracy (U.F.A.) platform. First introduced last year, the movement now expands into new collections, most notably a completely new diver’s line. Alongside this technical push, the brand also leans heavily into precious metals, with a series of gold and platinum releases, including a fully hand-engraved piece from the Micro Artist Studio.

“Ushio” Diver Spring Drive U.F.A.

Let’s start with a brand-new collection. We all know that Grand Seiko’s Sport Collection typically leans towards larger watches. Its divers, for example, have sat between 43.8 mm and 46.9 mm all this time. But this year, that changes. At Watches & Wonders 2026, the brand introduces a new diver’s line, the “Ushio” Diver Spring Drive U.F.A., with a much more digestible 40 mm case.

The new 40.8 mm case feels genuinely well judged on the wrist, to the point where it almost distracts from the fact that it carries the new U.F.A. calibre 9RB1. Compared to the earlier 9RB2, this updated movement adds a power reserve indicator, while maintaining its ±20 seconds per year accuracy. Beyond that, the case is also executed in lightweight high-intensity titanium, making it highly wearable despite being a full diver. The clasp has been refined as well, combining a sliding micro-adjuster with an additional all-or-nothing extension link, allowing for a wider adjustment range when worn over a wetsuit. And finally, the watch is, of course, paired with a patterned dial that evokes ocean currents, available in dark blue or green.

Tech Specs: “Ushio” Diver Spring Drive U.F.A.

Movement: Cal. 9RB1, automatic, ±20 seconds per year accuracy, 72-hour power reserve

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve

Case: 40.8mm x 12.94mm, high-intensity titanium

Strap: High-intensity titanium bracelet

Grand Seiko “Ice Forest at Dawn” Spring Drive U.F.A. Boutique Exclusive Limited Edition in 18ct gold

“Ice Forest at Dawn” 18ct Gold Spring Drive U.F.A. 

On the topic of U.F.A. watches, the brand has also unveiled an ultimate version in yellow gold, paired with a dark dial. As Grand Seiko is generally focused on everyday pieces, it is not common to see precious metal models, and when one appears, it tends to stand out.

This example, for instance, comes in a lovely 37 mm Evolution 9 yellow gold case, which gives it a very classical dress watch proportion. And most importantly, the dial is quite unexpected. It is black, with the three-dimensional ice forest pattern that we are familiar with, but here it is adorned with tiny golden flakes in various sizes, giving it a slightly romantic feel, almost like a starry night.

Inside is the brand’s U.F.A. 9RB2, finished with a frost-inspired texture. Strong as it is, it is also slightly frustrating, as this is a boutique-exclusive limited edition, with just 80 pieces worldwide.

Tech Specs: “Ice Forest at Dawn” 18ct Gold Spring Drive U.F.A. 

Movement: Cal. 9RB2, automatic, ±20 seconds per year accuracy, 72-hour power reserve

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date

Case: 37mm x 11.4mm, 18k yellow gold

Dial: Black “Ice Forest” pattern with gold flecks

Strap: Leather strap

Availability: Limited to 80 pieces

Price: £38,700 (inc. VAT)

Grand Seiko “Sakura-Wakaba” Hi-Beat 36000 (SBGH376) in 18ct gold

“Sakura-Wakaba” 18ct Gold Hi-Beat

For those who like the idea of a gold watch, but want a pure mechanical heartbeat, here’s one. The SBGH376 comes in a 38 mm yellow gold case and is powered by the Hi-Beat cal. 9S85, running at 36,000 vibrations per hour, or 10 ticks per second if you stare at it. 

The highlight, as expected, is the dial. Inspired by “Sakura-Wakaba”, the moment when cherry blossoms meet fresh green leaves, it carries a soft silvery-green tone that shifts subtly with light. Compared to the U.F.A. pieces, this feels more familiar, but it is also a reminder that Grand Seiko’s strength still lies in these seasonal expressions.

Tech Specs: “Sakura-Wakaba” 18ct Gold Hi-Beat

Movement: Calibre 9S85, automatic Hi-Beat, 55-hour power reserve, +5/-3 seconds per day

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date

Case: 38mm x 12.9mm, 18k yellow gold

Dial: Silvery-green “Sakura-Wakaba”

Strap: Leather strap

Price: £29,000 (inc. VAT)

Grand Seiko “Iwao Blue” Manual-Winding Spring Drive (SBGY043) Online Boutique Exclusive

“Iwao Blue” Manual-Winding Spring Drive 

Other than automatic watches, there is also a manual-winding version. The SBGY043 uses the cal. 9R31 Spring Drive movement, offering a more traditional experience. At just 10.2 mm thin, the case sits low on the wrist, giving it a notably slim profile.

The watch itself sits in a clean 38.5 mm case and is defined mainly by its dial. The “Iwao” pattern takes inspiration from natural rock formations, finished in a deep blue tone known as Katsu-iro, a colour historically associated with samurai armour. It is a quieter piece compared to the others, but one that leans strongly into texture and colour.

Tech Specs: “Iwao Blue” Manual-Winding Spring Drive 

Movement: Calibre 9R31, manual-winding Spring Drive, 72-hour power reserve, ±1 second per day

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds

Case: 38.5mm x 10.2 mm, stainless steel

Strap: Leather strap

Price: £8,700 (inc. VAT)

Grand Seiko “Mystic Waterfall” Spring Drive 44GS Boutique Exclusive Limited Edition with special engraved case

“Mystic Waterfall” Platinum Spring Drive 

The following Spring Drive watches move into much higher territory. Here, we are looking at hand-finished movements and cases from the Micro Artist Studio.

The SBGZ011 is executed in platinum and limited to just 50 pieces. Both the dial and the case are hand-engraved, with a flowing, multidirectional pattern inspired by the Tateshina Otaki waterfall. The engraving is not just decorative, it gives the entire surface a sense of movement, almost like the metal itself is shifting.

Inside is the manually wound Spring Drive cal. 9R02, finished to a very high level, comparable to what you would expect from top independents – including sharply executed interior angles. At this point, the watch is as much about craftsmanship as it is about timekeeping.

Tech Specs: “Mystic Waterfall” Platinum Spring Drive 

Movement: Calibre 9R02, manual-winding Spring Drive, 84-hour power reserve, ±1 second per day

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds

Case: 40mm x 9.6mm, 950 platinum

Dial: Hand-engraved case and dial

Strap: Leather strap

Availability: Limited to 50 pieces

Price: £74,500 (inc. VAT)

Grand Seiko “Red Lion” Spring Drive 8-Day Jewellery Watch Limited Edition (SBGD228)

“Red Lion” Spring Drive 8-Day Jewellery Watch Limited Edition

Other than the hand-engraved watch, there is also a haute joaillerie version. The SBGD228 takes the Grand Seiko lion emblem and reinterprets it as a fully jewelled composition, set with 267 diamonds and 26 garnets on an 18ct white gold base, framed within an 18ct rose gold case. A mother-of-pearl dial adds depth, shifting with the light.

Despite that, it still carries the cal. 9R01 Spring Drive movement with an eight-day power reserve and ±0.5 seconds per day accuracy. Its movement plate is shaped to evoke a mountain landscape, a visual nod to the brand’s Japanese design language. Only eight pieces will be made globally, making it one of the most exclusive expressions in the line-up this year.

Tech Specs: “Red Lion” Spring Drive 8-Day Jewellery Watch Limited Edition

Movement: Calibre 9R01, manual-winding Spring Drive, 8-day power reserve, ±0.5 seconds per day
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Case: 44.5mm x 14.43mm, 18k rose gold, set with diamonds and garnets
Dial: Mother-of-pearl on white gold base, set with diamonds and garnets
Strap: Leather strap
Availability: Limited to 8 pieces
Price: £250,000 (inc. VAT)

“Hana-Ikada” 62GS Ladies Watch

Finally, something for a different audience. The new “Hana-Ikada” models come in a compact 32.3 mm case and are powered by the 9F quartz calibre, accurate to ±10 seconds per year.

The dials depict cherry blossom petals floating on water, offered in lighter and darker tones to reflect different times of day. Smaller in size and simpler in construction, but still firmly aligned with the brand’s design language.

Tech Specs: “Hana-Ikada” 62GS Ladies Watch

Movement: Calibre 9F51, quartz, ±10 seconds per year
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Case: 32.3mm x 8.8mm stainless steel
Strap: Steel bracelet
Price: £3,200 (inc. VAT)