Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 80 Hours Evolution 9

There are just 1,200 pieces of this design available worldwide, which commemorates the 65th anniversary of Grand Seiko. The ‘Mountainscape’ was designed with a typically Japanese theme of the transience of ‘Impermanent Nature.’ One of Japan’s fundamental views of nature is that its beauty is in its constant changing, growing or evolving; the way that nothing stays the same – from changing sunlight during the day to the evolution of buds into flowers. This Buddhist teaching expresses how nature alters, just as Grand Seiko Takumi craftspeople constantly work towards the aim for perfection through even higher levels of craftsmanship. These evolving skillsets are passed on to the next generation of watchmakers, as has been the case for 65 years. Inspired by their immediate surroundings, the Takumi watchmakers at the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi take inspiration from the great Mount Iwate. Still active today, the Mount Iwate volcano formed hundreds of thousands of years ago, during which huge landslides occurred, creating deep and sharp ridges over time. Mount Iwate is a real example of ‘Impermanent Nature;’ by the evolution of its very form. The dial features a new pressed dial pattern in silver-blue, inspired by the pure water and air surrounding the studio. With an Evolution 9 case design, this timepiece is crafted from Ever-Brilliant Steel. Under a box sapphire glass are a set of multi-faceted and Zaratsu-polished indices, and a blued steel second hand. The clasp is crafted from a combination of Ever-Brilliant Steel, titanium and 18 carat gold. Powered by an in-house crafted 9SA5 Hi-Beat movement, this timepiece is accurate to +5/-3 seconds per day, whilst beating ten times per second. It has an impressive power reserve of 80-hours. Every Grand Seiko features signature high standards of precision, durability and legibility, handcrafted in Japan by Takumi artisans.