his year marks the 140th anniversary of the founding of Seiko by Kintaro Hattori. An opportunity to celebrate the way Japanese culture embraces the passing of time too.

In Japan, each of the four seasons of the year is experienced in six phases and all have their own distinct characters. The subtle changes from one to the next bring the nature of time ever closer to our senses.

Each of Grand Seiko’s new GMT watches celebrates one of the year’s 24 seasonal phases or sekki. The selected sekki for this line are Shunbun (Spring), Shōsho (Summer), Kanro (Autumn) and Tōji (Winter). 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.

Let’s have a closer look to each one of them.

Shunbun – SBGJ251

It is in Shunbun that the spring equinox finally arrives and everyone senses spring is truly in the air. The cherry trees in the mountains start to bloom and their sakura blossom decorates the slopes. The green dial and rose gold accents perfectly capture the promise of spring.

Shōsho – SBGJ249

High summer approaches and, at last, the rainy season ends. In Shōsho, the warm wind creates delicate ripples in the many thousands of lakes and ponds that shimmer in the early summer sun throughout Japan. The wave pattern dial brings Shōsho to life.

Kanro – SBGE271

The evenings draw in and there is a chill in the morning air. The glide motion seconds hand moves silently, like the moon across the night sky. Autumn is at its height.

Tōji – SBGE269

The winter solstice is in Tōji. The days are short, the air is crisp and clear and snow muffles the sound of the wind. The dial has the texture and color of a winter landscape as the sun sinks lower in the sky.

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. Both the mechanical and Spring Drive movements are clearly visible through the sapphire case backs and the beauty of their finishing is there to be enjoyed.

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 DATA

Caliber 9S86: SBGJ249, 251 • Driving system: Automatic • Vibrations: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second) Accuracy (mean daily rate): +5 to –3 seconds per day • Power reserve: 55 hours • GMT hand • Number of jewels: 37 •

Caliber 9R66: SBGE269, 271 • Driving system: Automatic • Accuracy:±1 second per day (±15 seconds per month) Power reserve: 72 hours • GMT hand • Number of jewels: 30 •

Specifications • 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)

Approximate recommended retail prices in Europe: €7,600 (SBGJ249, 251), €6,800 (SBGE269, 271)