Spring Drive GMT Evolution 9 44mm, Titanium, Black Dial

This timepiece is named ‘Ushio’ – the Japanese for ‘tide.’ The textured dial design is inspired by the richly biodiverse sea around Japan with its strong currents around the unique shape of the archipelago which greatly influenced the development of Japanese nature and culture. The dial represents the Nature of Time theme which features prominently in Grand Seiko watch designs – a Japanese spirituality where each moment is a unique expression unveiled through light and shadow. The watchmakers’ pride in their surroundings is represented from engineering watch movements which emulate the smooth motion of time passing, to creating dials reflecting the beauty of Japanese nature. This timepiece is within the Evolution 9 Collection, watches created with a contemporary design format based on the recognisable 1967 44GS Grand Seiko Style. This new grammar of design takes the brand’s ideals of beauty, legibility and wearability to new levels with nine design elements. Evolution 9 is based around the three design principles. Firstly an “evolution in aesthetics” – the design expresses infinite gradations between light and shadow achieved with flat Zaratsu polished surfaces combined with hairline finishing. Secondly an “evolution in legibility” – the powerful hands and grooved, prominent markers with LumiBrite ensure excellent legibility together with the improved Arabic typeface. And thirdly an “evolution in comfort” – curved lugs; the crown guard to reduce damage, and the improved crown shape ensures an easier grip. The case and bracelet are made of high-intensity titanium, providing a lightweight wear with a scratch and corrosion-resistant finish. This timepiece is powered by the brand’s iconic, exclusive Spring Drive movement, one of the most significant developments in recent watchmaking which took 28 years to develop. With a superior level of precision, Spring Drive generates energy with a mainspring combined with an electronic regulator, never requiring a battery change. In a Spring Drive watch, the second hand moves in a perfect glide motion, designed to represent the natural continuous flow of time itself. Now relaunched, revamped and redesigned: the next generation Caliber 9RA2 offers a new perspective on precision which reflects the original Grand Seiko design principles of accuracy, legibility and beauty. Slimmer, even more precise and more powerful with an impressive power reserve of 120 hours and even greater accuracy of -/+10 seconds per month, Caliber 9RA2 marks a new beginning with three significant developments: the Offset Magic Lever, Dual-size Barrels and a One-piece Center Bridge. Every Grand Seiko features signature high standards of precision, durability and legibility, handcrafted in Japan by Takumi artisans. Grand Seiko: beautifully, precise Japanese watchmaking, from the pinnacle of Seiko Watch Corporation’s in-house ‘manufacture.’