Spring Drive European Boutique Exclusive

Japanese gardens are a prime example of the country’s innate aesthetic; incorporating nature’s beauty into daily life by bringing the ever-changing seasons close to hand. The requisite pond of a unique “Chisen Teien”, or Japanese pond garden style, inspires the latest Grand Seiko European limited-edition timepiece. The deep blue SBGY040G dial is designed to emulate the beautiful moment when ripples on the surface subtly alter the pond’s appearance; using a pattern design similar to traditional Japanese “Wagara.” From “Wa” meaning “Japanese style” and “gara” meaning “pattern,” Wagara are ancient designs based on traditional customs and nature, widely used on kimonos, porcelain, and interior décor to brighten daily life.

This timepiece is powered by the exclusive Grand Seiko 9R Spring Drive Caliber, commemorating its 20th anniversary in 2024. As in all Spring Drive movements, the second hand glides smoothly across the dial, conveying the delicate transition of time. The Japanese people cherish a sense of the transience of nature’s beauty that includes not only the four seasons, but also the subtle changes between them; as summer turns to autumn and autumn to winter.

Inside an 18 carat gold case design is a dark blue textured dial pattern inspired by Japanese Wagara patterns. Under a dual-curved sapphire crystal glass is a gold-plated Grand Seiko logo, complemented by gold-plated hands and indices. The watch is accompanied by a blue crocodile leather strap.

The watch is powered by the in-house crafted 9R31 manual-winding Spring Drive calibre. Spring Drive is a uniquely accurate watch movement, powered by a main spring with a regulator but without an escapement; combining the beauty of the mechanical watch and the precision of electronic timekeeping. Spring Drive powered timepieces mark the smooth passing of time with their lack of juddering tick – designed to emulate the natural progression of one moment into the next.

This timepiece is only 10.18mm slim, and through the glass exhibition case back, the beauty of the watch movement can be viewed with its accuracy of +/- 1 second per day, and power reserve of 72 hours.