Grand Seiko – MASTERPIECE Spring Drive 8 Days Days Jewelry Edition

 

SEIKO – Grand Seiko – MASTERPIECE Spring Drive 8 Days Jewelry White Lion Platinum Exclusive Limited Edition 

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The white lion inspires a Grand Seiko jewelry timepiece of rare craftsmanship.

When, in 2020, Grand Seiko introduced a jewelry watch into the Masterpiece Collection for the first time, its design evoked the landscape of the region where it was created. Today sees the introduction of another Spring Drive jewelry timepiece whose craftsmanship is of the same high standard but whose inspiration is very different. Since 1960, the lion has symbolized the strength of Grand Seiko but now it finds a new expression. The white lion has arrived.

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The strength and power of the lion are still at the heart of this watch but the white lion has a beauty that is as striking as it is rare. Sparkling diamonds, black spinels, white gold and Platinum 950 combine to create a stunning timepiece of exquisite artistry. 

The lion’s mane flows across the dial

While the strong and angular lugs speak of the power of the lion and the graceful tresses of its mane are reflected in the pattern on the dial, it is the jewels that attract the eye. 

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112 diamonds are embedded in the upper surfaces of the case and a further 60 baguette diamonds surround the dial on the bezel. 

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No fewer than 94 diamonds are set in the dial, contrasting with the 26 black spinels to create a stunningly intricate effect. 

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The seconds hand is tempered to a perfect grey color to match the overall tone and a single brilliant-cut diamond is set into the crown.

Hand craftsmanship of the highest order

On the dial, the carefully selected spinels and baguette diamonds are tapered and serve as minute and hour markers. All these gems are set by hand between a very thin pair of 18k white gold rails by the most skilled of the jewelry craftsmen and women in the Shinshu Watch Studio in Shiojiri. 

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The diamonds on the bezel are also set by hand with a precision that allows the light on their table surfaces to flow evenly, as if the bezel were a single surface. The same high level of jewelry expertise is to be seen on the lugs where the diamonds are set so exactly that they also seem to create a single, flat surface.

A Spring Drive movement with eight days of power and a view of Mt. Fuji

The watch is powered by the Spring Drive 8-day Caliber 9R01 which was created by the Micro Artist Studio, the elite team of watchmakers who create all the Spring Drive watches in the Masterpiece Collection and whose home is in the same Shiojiri facility as the Shinshu Watch Studio.  

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Caliber 9R01 delivers an accuracy rate of ±10 seconds per month and offers a power reserve of eight days, or 192 hours, when fully wound. 

 

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It incorporates three barrels arranged in sequence to deliver the extended power reserve which is shown by an indicator visible through the sapphire crystal case back along with the exquisite finishing of the one-piece bridge, designed in the image of Mt. Fuji.

A new jewelry Masterpiece inspired by the strenght and beauty of the White Lion

Grand Seiko’s jewelry masterpieces are produced in Shiojiri, where the skilled craftsmen and women of the Micro Artist Studio have been making Spring Drive masterpieces since 2000, combining the best of horological innovation and traditional hand craftsmanship. 

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Today at Watches and Wonders, Grand Seiko announces reference SBGD209, the newest entry to the Masterpiece Collection, this time inspired by the majestic white lion.

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The lion has long been emblematic of Grand Seiko. The king of the jungle made its debut on the case back of the first-ever Grand Seiko timepiece in 1960, and it has remained the enduring symbol of the brand. The choice of the lion as the brand’s icon reflected the ambition of the Grand Seiko team to make the best timepieces of which they were capable—what they would describe as the “king of watches.”

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Rendered in Platinum 950, the “Tokyo Lion” case of SBGD209 features a strong, angular design with numerous facets throughout. It measures 44.5mm in diameter and 14.4mm in thickness. Despite the size and angularity of the design, the case features a gentle curve along its underside that allows for a comfortable fit on the wrist. Its sharply defined edges and prominent ridges are made possible by first cold forging the alloy and then implementing a unique adaptation of Zaratsu polishing technique developed specifically for Platinum 950.

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While the mid-case shape speaks to the lion’s power, it is the elegant application of the fine stones that attract the eye. One hundred twelve diamonds are fixed to the outer surfaces of the case, and an additional 60 baguette diamonds are applied to the bezel. 

 

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The diamonds on the bezel are set by hand with a precision that allows the light on the surface to flow evenly as if the bezel were a single surface. The same high level of craft is applied to the lugs, where the diamonds are set so precisely that they also appear to create a single flat surface. A brilliant-cut diamond is set into the crown.

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The dial bears a pattern representing the mane of the lion, and here it is rendered in white. Carefully selected black spinels and baguette diamonds are tapered and serve as minute and hour markers. These gems are meticulously set by hand between a very thin pair of 18k white gold rails by the most skilled craftspeople from the Shinshu Watch Studio’s jewelry studio. Contrasting against the dial base for a highly legible display are bold hands, and the seconds hand is tempered to a perfect grey color to match the overall tone of the dial.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO Powering the watch is caliber 9R01. This Spring Drive movement, produced by a dedicated team at the Micro Artist Studio, offers an accuracy of 10 seconds per month and an eight-day power reserve. 

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The architecture and finishing of the movement are inspired by the scenery as seen from the Takabochi Highlands, near the Micro Artist Studio: the bridge traces the contours of Mt. Fuji, the glide wheel evokes the rising sun, the rubies and tempered blued screws recall the lights of Suwa City at night, and the power reserve indicator marks the shape of Lake Suwa. The caliber features convex beveling along the bridge’s edges, and the top surface has a fine hairline finish—both details executed entirely by hand.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO    SBGD209 will be offered in a limited edition of just five and will be presented at selected Grand Seiko Boutiques in May 2022 for $250,000.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

Model:   MASTERPIECE Spring Drive 8 Days Days Jewelry Edition

 

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Ref.  SBGD209J

Movement Caliber no.: 9R01 Instructions
Accuracy:     ±10 seconds per month (±0.5 second per day)
Water resistance:     10 bar
Magnetic resistance:     4,800 A/m

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Other details / Features:     
    Case with diamond(s)
    LIMITED EDITION on the case back
    Serial number engraved on the case back
    Dial with diamonds and black spinels
    Crown with diamond
    Platinum 950 clasp (partly 18k white gold)
    26 black spinels (0.88 carat)
    267 diamonds (5.97 carat)
    56 jewels
    Power reserve indicator
    Time difference adjustment function
Exterior:     Platinum
Case back:     See-through & Screw case back
Glass Material:     Dual-curved sapphire crystal
Glass Coating:     Anti-reflective coating on inner surface
Case size:     Diameter 44.5mm Lug-to-lug 52.0mm Thickness 14.4mm
Band width:     23mm
Band Material:     Crocodile leather
Clasp type:     Three-fold clasp with push button release

 🔰 Limited Edition of ✅5 pieces

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Press releases - 2022
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SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION
Mr­­ Noboru­­ Miyadera
2-8-10, Toranomon, Minato-ku,
Tokyo­­ 105-8467
Japan
Telephone+81 3 6739 2150
Telefax+81 3 6739 2071
seiko-pr@seiko-watch.co.jp
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