Grand Seiko

Introducing 4 New Grand Seiko Elegance GMTs Inspired by 24 Seasons

by Felix Scholz . Feb 25, 2021

Ask most people how many seasons there are, and the answer will be pretty straightforward — four. Ask someone familiar with the Japanese concept of Sekki (節気), and that number gets a little larger. Sekki are the subtle yet distinct shifts within a season, as observed through nature.

Each of the four main seasons consists of six Sekki, for a total of 24 seasonal phases. Grand Seiko, already a company deeply interested in the relationship between time and place, has created four new watches representing four Sekki in their characteristic, reserved-yet-expressive style.

Those four Sekki are Shunbun (Spring), Shōsho (Summer), Kanro (Autumn) and Tōji (Winter). All four watches are GMTs. Shunbun and Shōsho are powered by the Hi-Beat 36000 GMT, while Kanro and Tōji by the Spring Drive GMT caliber 9R66.

Shunbun – SBGJ251

Shunbun - SBGJ251, inspired by the spring equinox

Named for the time of the spring equinox, Shunbun is a verdant time, when the cherry trees bloom, and Sakura blossom decorates the landscape. Grand Seiko’s 39.5mm steel watch marks this time with an appropriately rich green dial, with a subtle, almost leaf-like texture. Rose gold details provide and equally luscious contrast.

Shōsho – SBGJ249

Shōsho - SBGJ249, inspired by the time of the year that marks high summer in Japan and an end to the rainy season

Shōsho marks high summer in Japan and an end to the rainy season. Grand Seiko’s dial artists have chosen to encapsulate this spirit with a dial representing the delicate ripples created by the summer wind in the still waters of the country. The combination of vertical finish and variated blue hues is evocative, with the deeper blue of the GMT details adding a hint of deeper water.

Kanro – SBGE271

Kanro - SBGE271, inspired by the period in time of the year that Japan moves into Autumn

Moving into autumn and the first of the Spring Drive-powered offerings, we have the SBGE271, with a dial like the black night sky, smattered with clouds. The golden tones of the GMT functions add to the subdued appeal of this piece.

Tōji – SBGE269

Tōji - SBGE269, inspired by the period of early winter in Japan

Tōji - SBGE269, inspired by the period of early Winter in Japan

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Movement

Calibre 9S86: SBGJ249, 251; automatic, beating at 36,000 vp/h, GMT function with 55 hours of power reserve

Calibre 9R66: SBGE269, 271l Automatic Spring Drive, GMT, with 72 hours of power reserve

Case

Stainless steel, 39.5mm by 14.1mm tall (SBGJ249, 251) and 40.2mm by 14.0mm tall (SBGE269, 271). SBGJ249, 251 water-resistant to 30m, SBGE269, 271 resistant to 100m

Bracelet

Stainless steel, three-fold clasp and push-button release

Availability & Pricing

SBGJ249, 251: €7,600; SBGE269, 271: €6,800

Available from May 2021

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