Grand Seiko presents four new GMT watches, each one celebrating one of the year’s 24 seasonal phases or ‘sekki’ according to Japanese traditions.
In the traditional Japanese calendar, some days have special names to mark the change in seasons.
The 24 sekki are days that divide the solar year into twenty four equal sections as mentioned bellow:
- Risshun: February 4 – Beginning of spring
- Usui: February 19 – Rain water
- Keichitsu: March 5 – Awakening of hibernated (insects)
- Shunbun: March 20 – Vernal equinox, middle of spring
- Seimei: April 5 – Clear and bright
- Kokuu: April 20 – Grain rain
- Rikka: May 5 – Beginning of summer
- Shōman: May 21 – Grain full
- Bōshu: June 6 – Grain in ear
- Geshi: June 21 – Summer solstice, middle of summer
- Shōsho: July 7 – Small heat
- Taisho: July 23 – Large heat
- Risshū: August 7 – Beginning of autumn
- Shosho: August 23 – Limit of heat
- Hakuro: September 7 – White dew
- Shūbun: September 23 – Autumnal equinox, middle of autumn
- Kanro: October 8 – Cold dew
- Sōkō: October 23 – Frost descent
- Rittō: November 7 – Beginning of winter
- Shōsetsu: November 22 – Small snow
- Taisetsu: December 7 – Large snow
- Tōji: December 22 – Winter solstice, middle of winter
- Shōkan: January 5 – Small Cold; or Kan no iri – Entrance of the cold
- Daikan: January 20 – Major cold
Grand Seiko Elegance GMT ‘sekki’
Grand Seiko has selected Shunbun (spring), Shōsho (summer), Kanro (autumn) and Tōji (winter) sekki to create this new special collection. The brand has chosen its Elegance collection to release these new GMT timepiece`s. The Shunbun and Shōsho versions feature the Hi-Beat 36000 GMT caliber 9S86 while the Spring Drive GMT caliber 9R66 powers the Kanro and Tōji creations.
The Shunbun (SBGJ251) watch boasts green dial and rose gold accents. The Shōsho (SBGJ249) model has a wave pattern dial inspired by the delicate ripples in the lakes and ponds that shimmer in the early summer sun.
The Grand Seiko GMT ‘sekki’ Kanro (SBGE271) watch takes inspiration from the autumn season. The Tōji (SBGE269) model features a textured dial inspired by the color of a winter landscape as the sun sinks lower in the sky.
In all these timepieces, the hour hands are independently adjustable so that the precision is maintained. The softly contoured case has the classic yet distinctive Grand Seiko edges that are sharp and angular, and the sides are Zaratsu polished to a distortion-free finish. In each timepiece, the movement is clearly visible through the sapphire case backs.
Based on a series first presented in the USA, the Shunbun and Shōsho creations will be available in May and the Kanro and Tōji creations in September at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and retail stores worldwide.
Technical details
Collection: Grand Seiko Elegance GMT 24 Seasons
Models
Shunbun – SBGJ251
Shōsho – SBGJ249
Kanro – SBGE271
Tōji – SBGE269
Movements
Caliber 9S86: SBGJ249, 251
Driving system: Automatic
Vibrations: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second)
Accuracy: +5 to -3 seconds per day
Power reserve: 55 hours
GMT hand
Number of jewels: 37
Caliber 9R66: SBGE269, 271
Driving system: Spring Drive
Accuracy:-1 to +1 second per day (±15 seconds per month)
Power reserve: 72 hours
GMT hand
Number of jewels: 30
Case and bracelet
Stainless steel case and bracelet
Three-fold clasp with push button release
Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
See-through screw case back
Water resistance: 3 bar (SBGJ249, 251) 10bar (SBGE269, 271)
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 39.5mm, Thickness: 14.1mm (SBGJ249, 251)
Diameter: 40.2mm, Thickness: 14.0mm (SBGE269, 271)
Price
Approximate recommended retail prices in Europe: €7,600 (SBGJ249, 251), €6,800 (SBGE269, 271)
