Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

When we think of great watch brands, we often think first and foremost of the big Swiss houses. However, one Japanese brand has managed to carve out a place for itself in this milieu of excellence. Grand Seiko has enjoyed growing success over the last few years, and is increasingly well known the world over. The brand has become the emblem of Japanese luxury watchmaking, positioning itself as the embodiment of precision, craftsmanship and innovation. 

Grand Seiko watch hi-beat 36000 GMT black dial on metal strap - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Since its creation, it has established itself as a benchmark for watch lovers. It has made a name for itself in the luxury watch market beyond its native country, taking its place alongside Rolex and Omega in the global luxury watch market. Whether you're a connoisseur or new to the world of luxury watches, this article deciphers everything you need to know about Grand Seiko.

The history of Grand Seiko

Founded in 1892, Grand Seiko's history began under Seiko's impetus. Its story began a few years earlier, in 1877, when its founder, 18-year-old Kintaro Hattori, opened his own watch repair shop in Tokyo. At the time, watchmaking was a field whose know-how was foreign to Japanese culture. Indeed, Japan had only begun to open up to Western countries at the start of the Meiji era in 1867 (25 years earlier), following two centuries of cultural and political isolation due to the feudal system. 


The end of this period marked the country's entry into a period of industrial modernity. It was this that enabled Seiko's Kintaro Hattori to train in the art of watchmaking, to become one of Japan's pioneers in his field, and to found what would become the Japanese luxury watch brand.

Grand Seiko automatic with white dial on blue rubber strap wearring.  - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko
picture of the old manufacture Seikosha on Tokyo - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Source : Le Petit Poussoir

In 1881, Kintaro Hattori founded a company to repair and sell second-hand clocks. Business flourished, and eleven years later he decided to buy a disused factory and found the Seikosha firm. The company gradually grew in size. If you're more curious, don't hesitate to read our article Where are Seiko watches made? This was the beginning of the Seiko brand, which later became Grand Seiko. Seiko means “success” in Japanese and sha “house”. 


With this name, Grand Seiko has perfectly lived up to its meaning and has given itself the power to rise to the highest rank of luxury watchmaking alongside the greatest brands. Its founder understood the importance of innovation and became a pioneer in the field of watchmaking. His goal was simple: to create the most precise watches in the world.

In the early 50s, the company took part in several national watchmaking competitions. Seiko soon began to stand out from its competitors, sweeping all the awards with its new Marvel model. Following this success, the brand decided to take on competitions in the cradle of watchmaking: Swiss competitions. In particular, it took part in the Geneva Observatory chronometer competitions and ranked among the best from its very first entry, arousing astonishment and interest. 


This tour de force enabled Seiko to establish its reputation and assert its expertise in mechanical watches. Seiko's international reputation is growing among enthusiasts and professionals alike. Seiko has carved out a place in the big league alongside Rolex, Omega and many others. Grand Seiko was born in 1960, out of this quest for excellence and the ideal watch, to establish itself as the essential luxury watch brand straight from Japan and perpetuate the legacy of its founder, Kintaro Hattori

Grand Seiko watch with white dial et black strap - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Source : A Blog To Watch 

grand Seiko watch with white dial, gold case on black strap - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Source : Le Calibre

Despite its growing global reputation, each Grand Seiko watch continues to be inspired by Japanese culture and nature. Craftsmen incorporate traditional values, combining fine craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. For example, dials often feature natural themes such as snow-capped mountains or cherry blossom, evoking the ephemeral beauty and harmony of nature that is so deeply rooted in Japanese culture.


The first Grand Seiko watch (equipped with caliber 3180) set new standards in chronometry. It laid the foundations for what was to become a synonym for excellence. Over the decades, Grand Seiko has introduced groundbreaking innovations, such as Spring Drive technology in 1999. In 2010, it acquired an identity distinct from Seiko, becoming an autonomous brand while remaining true to its roots.


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Grand Seiko's unique characteristics

Grand Seiko stands out for its values of excellence and technicality. This is reflected in both the mechanism and the aesthetics of the watches. The design of Grand Seiko watches is never left to chance. 


In fact, there are 9 recurring rules for the appearance of these watches: the indexes are rectangular and multi-faceted, the index at 12 o'clock must be twice as wide as the others, the bezel must be polished using the Zaratsu method and have a clean edge, the planes and other angles of the case are also polished, the crown is semi-recessed into the case for greater comfort, the dial is flat for improved legibility, the hour and minute hands are polished and multi-faceted, the lateral line of the case is sloped for an elegantly balanced profile, and finally, the bezel and case back offer inverted angles to each other. 


Each of these details has been designed to ensure readability as close to perfection as possible, by playing on angles, steel polish, shadows and highlights. Aesthetics, case size and thickness, diameter - nothing is left to chance to deliver watches that live up to Grand Seiko's exacting standards.

Grand Seiko masterpiece collection white and blue - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Source : WatchesBySJX 

The Zaratsu method is a highly technical polishing technique performed by a meticulous hand, first used by Grand Seiko in the 1960s but still playing an important role in the design of today's cases. It is this technique that gives the stainless steel of these watches their shine, with the impeccable mirror effect of which the brand is so proud.

Grand Seiko GMT black dial wear on metal strap - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Over the years, Grand Seiko has continued to innovate, and today offers a wide range of precision watches and exceptional movements. There are three main movements:

Grand Seiko with white dial and representation of his mecanism - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Source : Le Calibre

Mechanical or 9S movements: renowned for their robustness and precision. These movements are handcrafted by artisans in the Grand Seiko workshops and selected for their skill and precision. Watches equipped with a 9S movement are therefore not automatic watches but manual watches.


Quartz or 9F movement: with a deviation of just ±10 seconds per year, a record. The first Grand Seiko quartz watch appeared in 1988. But the company marketed its first quartz watch in 1969 under the Seiko name. The concept was to put crystals under pressure to generate electricity to power the watch.


Spring Drive or 9R movement: a patented technology that combines mechanical energy and electronics for unrivalled precision. The Spring Drive movement is unique to the Grand Seiko brand. Like any other mechanical watch, it generates energy combined with an electronic regulator to deliver optimum precision in true Grand Seiko fashion. Spring Drive is in fact a movement that combines the high torque of a mechanical watch with the integrated circuit control of an electronic watch.

Grand Seiko uses premium materials such as stainless steel, high-intensity titanium and anti-reflective sapphire crystals. The brand has always aspired to use quality material as part of its quest for excellence. High-intensity titanium, for example, is lightweight, durable and corrosion-resistant, making it an ideal choice for luxury watches.


To reflect its origins in its creations, Grand Seiko has chosen to create dials inspired by Japanese landscapes. Models like the Snowflake or the Season's Collection pay homage to Japanese nature with patterns and textures inspired by local landscapes. Take, for example, the Snowflake dial, with its texture reminiscent of freshly fallen snow, one of the brand's most iconic models. It's this aesthetic uniqueness that makes these models so appealing.

Grand Seiko Heritage collection watch with Katsuiro indigo blue dial - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Source : Grand Seiko

Why choose a Grand Seiko?

Grand Seiko white dial on black rubber strap - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Source : Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko offers a serious alternative to other Swiss luxury watches, offering equivalent quality at an often more affordable price. This excellent quality / price ratio makes the brand a logical choice for watch enthusiasts looking for elegance and performance without having to compromise on either.


Each watch undergoes rigorous testing to guarantee optimum durability. A Grand Seiko watch can easily be passed on to the next generation if treated with care. Tests include resistance to water, shock, scratches on the titanium or stainless steel case, and temperature variations for maximum reliability.


Watches from the Grand Seiko collections are aimed at those who appreciate watchmaking and all its subtleties, with rare, exclusive, collectible models with a history. Each watch will make you feel the history, heritage and know-how of Japanese luxury watchmaking.

Grand Seiko's flagship collections

Heritage Collection: This collection revisits the classics, paying tribute to the brand's history with timeless designs. The models in this collection combine elegance and technical performance. This is the collection that best embodies the brand and its origins. Like the Japanese landscape. In this collection we find the 62GS pink dial watch (ref. SBGA497) caliber 9R65 in representation of cherry blossoms and spring, with a power reserve of around 72 hours, the 44GS Hi-beat 36000 GMT (ref. SBGJ001) in homage to the watch that gave birth to Grand Seiko, the Heritage watch ref. SBGA469 with blue dial in Katsuiro indigo color or the Grand seiko Heritage GMT black dial watch ref. SBGJ203G.

Grand Seiko heritage collection 62GS pink dial - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Source : Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko evolution 9 collection double watch

Source : Monochrome Watches

Evolution 9 Collection: “The most significant evolution begins on the inside”. With a contemporary look, this collection focuses on comfort and legibility. The Evolution 9 models embody profound innovation, incorporating modern features while respecting the brand's traditional standards. This collection includes the GMT watch ref. SBGE283 with black titanium dial, and the GMT watch ref. SBGE285, also in titanium. This collection features the Spring Drive mechanism.

Sports Collection: Robust watches, perfect for sports and outdoor activities. Indeed, this collection is aptly named, as it is often favored by watch and sports enthusiasts. These models offer enhanced resistance and water-resistance for demanding environments. This collection for sports enthusiasts includes some fine models, such as the limited edition Hi-beat GMT automatic ref. SBGJ275 caliber 9S86 with a two-tone blue and white bezel inspired by a sea from cloud to dawn, or the Hi-beat 36000 automatic GMT model (ref. SBGJ239) with a green dial and brown strap to symbolize the change of season. These models are proof that sport and luxury watchmaking go hand in hand! To accentuate this elegant yet sporty look, take a look at our rubber straps for Grand Seiko.

Grand Seiko Sport collection GMT SBGJ275 white and blue dial inspirated by a sea from cloud to dawn - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Source : Grand Seiko

Masterpiece Collection: These limited-edition timepieces are made in a separate studio at the Seiko Epson Shiojiri factory, where Grand Seiko's Spring Drive and quartz watches are manufactured. This studio is staffed by the company's finest watchmakers to create these unique creations.

Grand Seiko masterpiece collection white and blue 56  rubis -Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Source : Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko in the world of luxury watchmaking

Grand Seiko on blue rubber strap - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko regularly wins awards for its technical innovations and exceptional design. These distinctions reinforce its position as a leader in the field of watchmaking.


Compared to Rolex or Omega, Grand Seiko stands out for its uniqueness: a blend of technological innovation and understated elegance. The brand attracts a discerning clientele who value quality and authenticity. This is a clientele that seeks watches that stand out for their aesthetics and offer better quality / price ratio than some other luxury watch brands.


With constant investment in research and development, Grand Seiko promises to continue pushing the boundaries of watchmaking. New technologies and bold designs should further strengthen its worldwide reputation in time. We're not done being surprised!

How to care for your Grand Seiko watch

To preserve your timepiece for as long as possible, there are a few daily gestures you can put into practice. Clean your watch regularly with a soft cloth. This will prevent any scratches and better trap dust. Next, avoid shocks and magnetic fields. Shocks may seem obvious, but we'd like to make them clear. 


Most watch enthusiasts have heard of the effect of magnetic fields, but for those who haven't, the two don't mix, so be careful. Finally, make sure you don't expose your watch to extreme temperature variations. Particularly in winter, when indoor and outdoor temperatures contrast. Leave your watch under your coat or jacket to avoid sudden thermal shocks.


As far as service and repairs are concerned, Grand Seiko recommends a complete overhaul every 3 to 5 years. Be sure to entrust your watch to an official service center. These centers have the tools and skills needed to maintain the performance and integrity of your watch.

Grand Seiko on white rubber strap - Everything you need to know about Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko embodies the perfect blend of Japanese precision, craftsmanship, and innovation, positioning itself as a unique alternative to Swiss luxury watchmaking. Its history, rooted in tradition and a relentless pursuit of excellence, has earned it a place of distinction among watch enthusiasts worldwide. With its exceptional movements, meticulous design standards, and unique dials inspired by nature, Grand Seiko stands as a testament to the artistry and engineering prowess of Japanese watchmaking. Choosing a Grand Seiko is not merely about owning a watch; it's about embracing a legacy, appreciating unparalleled craftsmanship, and experiencing the subtle beauty that defines Japanese culture. For those seeking authenticity, precision, and a timepiece with a story, Grand Seiko delivers on every front. Invest in a Grand Seiko watch, and you'll possess more than a luxury accessory—you'll hold a timeless masterpiece that reflects the spirit of its origin.