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Your eternal subscriber for the 2023 novelties of the Watches & Wonders show is back in Geneva to present you all the new watches of the 2023 vintage, brand after brand. Do not hesitate to follow us on our YouTube channel and our Instagram account to find all our content.
Last year Grand Seiko offered the world its new vision of watchmaking with Evolution 9 and which we told you about with Cyril Turban in a subject on Grand Seiko’s own design. This year, Grand Seiko strikes a sharp and powerful blow. First, by presenting his first mechanical chronograph tentagraphin a second by unveiling an exceptional piece of art in the collection Masterpiece.
GRAND SEIKO TENTAGRAPH
Let’s talk about mechanical complications at Seiko. Last year at Watches & Wonders, the brand presented its first mechanical complication with the kodo offering a constant force tourbillon. We told you about it in our video dedicated to mechanical movements at Grand Seiko.
In 2023, the second complication to be honored at Grand Seiko is none other than the chronograph with the tentagraph. Its basis? The very complete High-Beat caliber 9SA5. Appointed 9SC5, the caliber of the Tentagraph also beats at the frequency of ten vibrations per second. If we add to this the crazy work of thedouble impulse escapement and the double barrel delivering the fine power reserve of three days Even if the chrono is running, you have before your eyes the 10-beat chronograph offering the longest power reserve available on the market. Just that !
As we told you about in the video on the mechanical movement at Grand Seiko, since the 1960s and the appearance of the first Grand Seiko has been put in place a standard Grand Seiko, which has continued to evolve over time. For all Grand Seiko calibers, a battery of tests is carried out during the trifle of 17 days, in six positions and at three different temperatures. For the Tentagraph, add three additional trial days used to measure precision in three positions with the chronograph running. By always guaranteeing a rate of between +5 and -3 seconds.
For the chronograph system, there is a vertical clutchsupposed to put an end to the vibrations which tend to make the hands jump when the chronograph engages, and the presence of a column wheel as we appreciate them.
The watch taking its place within the collection Evolution 9, we find all the identity features of a Grand Seiko watch in 2023. Wide and sharp hands, going hand in hand with the grooved indexes. The wise eye will have noticed a slight curvature of the chronograph seconds hand which leans towards the indexes, just like the minute hand, to guarantee good readability. The box of 43.2mm in diameter for 15.3mm thick, as well as its bracelet, have been made of high intensity titanium, approximately 30% lighter and more resistant to scratches than stainless steel.
For the dial and as is customary at Grand Seiko, even if we are talking about sports watches, a little poetry does not hurt. There is the pattern ” Mount Iwate » identity that draws its curves from the jagged contours of the mountainside on which the windows of the studio are exposed Shizukuishi Grand Seiko, where Grand Seiko parts are assembled.
The Tentagraph Grand Seiko will be available at Grand Seiko Boutiques and selected authorized retailers from June 2023 at a price of 14.300€.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Diameter : 43.2mm
Thickness : 15.3mm
Case: High intensity titanium
Caliber: Grand Seiko 9SC5
Power reserve: 3 days
Ice : Sapphire
Waterproofing: 10 Bar
Bracelet : High intensity titanium
Price : 14.300€
GRAND SEIKO MASTERPIECE SPRING DRIVE
After the very sporty but elegant Tentagraph in many respects, let’s move on to a more artistic side of Grand Seiko know-how. This new Masterpiece has received the attention of Mic Artist Studioa prestigious studio that has worked wonders on Haute Horlogerie pieces since its creation in 2000, which here has done a mad job on the case that has been entirely engraved by hand.
Speaking of slopes, the inspiration for this superb piece was drawn from another mountain. Or rather a group of mountains, the mountains Yatsugatake east of Shinshu, which have the honor of a vast birch forest at their feet. And that’s not all. These delicate natural motifs, rather representative of winter and its immaculate layer of snow, are hand-engraved on a case in Platinum 950 who previously received the honor of a Zaratsu polishing. To go along with the brilliance of this case, a beautiful silver dial is housed there, in an even different hue. A color that takes on its full meaning when we learn that 14-carat white gold has been used for the hour and minute hands, as well as the hand-cut and applied indexes. The minute track, as well as the indications and the marker at six o’clock, have been carved directly into the dial.
To go together with the sweetness of a birch forest in a silent winter, we find with pleasure the beats of a caliber Spring Drive 9R02 manually wound. The barrel Dual-Spring (composed of two thin and long independent mainsprings mounted in parallel) allows a very pleasant power reserve of 84 hoursalso made possible thanks to the Torque Return System, which operates a better distribution of the energy of the watch. All offering an accuracy of one second per day. A caliber whose finishes have not been neglected, as demonstrated by the decoration of the barrel, which is none other than the symbol of Shiojiri, from which the Micro Artist Studio originated. Not to mention a hand bevel for the two visible bridges. And if you’re really hot, you can even customize the little 18-karat gold plate on the lower deck.
This third Masterpiece, entirely hand-engraved, is available in a limited edition at 50 copiesavailable in Grand Seiko Boutiques from June 2023 at a price of 80.000€.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Diameter : 38.5mm
Thickness : 9.8mm
Case: Platinum 950
Caliber: Grand Seiko Spring Drive 9R02
Power reserve: 84 hours
Ice : Sapphire
Waterproofing: 3 Bars
Bracelet : Crocodile
Price : 80.000€
