New Grand Seiko Evolution 9 — The Beaverbrooks Journal

Taking legibility and comfort to a new level, the new Grand Seiko Evolution 9 collection has been unveiled at this year’s Watches & Wonders event, and for the brand’s biggest watch launch of 2022, they’re definitely wish-list worthy timepieces.

Grand Seiko’s love of Japanese landscapes, traditions and cultures definitely comes through in these five new Spring Drive sport watches which are based on the Grand Seiko Style that has inspired each and every creation since 1967. With two watches boasting a GMT calibre, another two with GMT chronographs and the fifth designed as a 200m diver’s watch, we’re ready to dive straight in…

Experience the nature of time

Whilst the Grand Seiko Style is unmistakably evident in every watch, the modern refinements are even clearer to see. With wider lugs, a curved case and more robust bracelets, the watches sit more comfortably and securely on the wrist.

Over on the dial, the hands have been made bolder and applied with Lumibrite for even greater legibility from day to night. But what we love the most are the numerals on the bezel that have been designed in a new font developed especially for the Evolution 9 collection.

We’ll start with the Spring Drive GMT, and boasting a unique glide motion seconds hand, the Spring Drive mirrors the continuous, silent and smooth passage of time, with no ‘tick’ across the dial.

Bringing us closer to nature, the light grey model showcases an intricately textured pattern that is inspired by the morning winter mist in the Shinshu region. Fun fact: Shinshu is the home to the studio where all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are made!

Inspired by the Black Stream

The Kuroshio Current, also known as the Black Stream, flows northwards past Japan towards the North Pacific and is one of the largest ocean streams in the world. Wondering why we’re telling you this? Well, the dynamic tides caused by the Black Stream has inspired the deep black textured surface of the dial of this new 200m diver’s watch.

With a ceramic inner rotating bezel and powered by the Spring Drive Caliber 9RA5 that offers an impressive 5-day power reserve, this watch has definitely been designed to stand the test of time.

Limited edition timepiece

Moving onto the chronographs and the blue dial watch has been enhanced to provide an accuracy rate of ±10 seconds per month in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph.

Featuring three sub dials, a rotating bezel and GMT hand for a third time zone, this impressive watch is limited to just 700 pieces. Or opt for the black dial version which has an accuracy of ±15 seconds per month and features all the same functions as the limited edition.

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