10 things you should know about Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko is a luxury watch brand consisting of timepieces that are created to be beautifully, precisely Japanese, inside and out. Each Grand Seiko watch is instantly recognisable because of its simplicity of form and its understated elegance. 

Here at Deacons, we want to help answer any queries that you may have about Grand Seiko, and to give you a better understanding of who they are and what they offer.

1: Who is Grand Seiko? 

For over half a century, Grand Seiko has handmade some of the most precise watches the world has ever known. Three signature movements, mechanical, quartz and spring drive.

Grand Seiko is a luxury brand that offers timepieces made by master craftsmen in Seiko’s two exclusive watchmaking studios, using proprietary movements and the highest grade materials. 

From the very first Grand Seiko watch in 1960 to the latest collection of today, every Grand Seiko has shared the functional beauty and design purity that has always been its hallmark.

2: What do Grand Seiko do and what are they known for?

With a range of stunning collections for sale, Grand Seiko has created styles for every wearer, including sports watches with highly durable materials, classic designs with high-precision quartz and exquisite, nature-influenced timepieces.

Grand Seiko have revolutionised the art of watchmaking with many significant innovations, including the Spring Drive movement, which offers a seamless seconds-hand motion and accuracy not seen in any other mechanical watch.

Grand Seiko's watch collections consist of Heritage, Elegance, Sport and Evolution 9. 

Heritage: Breathing new life into tradition, emphasising well-balanced design, expressing the pure essentials of watchmaking. View Range >>

Elegance: Resilience for everyday wear, with refinement for landmark occasions when everything has to be just right. View Range >>

Sport: Legibility and durability that the discerning sports watch lover needs and desires. View Range >>

Evolution 9: Based on the Grand Seiko Style which has inspired each and every creation since 1967, the Evolution 9 Collection takes the legibility and comfort of Grand Seiko to a new level. View range at Grand Seiko 

3: What is Grand Seiko’s history and their Japanese heritage?

Grand Seiko, was created in 1960 by Daini Siekosha and Suwa Seikosha, who were two subsidiaries of the Seiko corporation. They wanted to create a line of luxury watches that could compete with the Swiss Watchmakers.

The first generation of Grand Seiko, GS cal. 3180, was the first chronometer grade watch ever produced in Japan.

Soon after the first Grand Seiko watch, the Grand Seiko Self-Dater was introduced which featured a calendar and increased water resistance. The 1960s and 1970s repeatedly pushed the high standards of accuracy and precision with the release of a number of stylish, mechanical GS watches.

1988 saw the release of the first Grand Seiko quartz watch, the 95GS. As always, Grand Seiko sought to push the limits of accuracy for time-keeping and it succeeded by continuing to manufacture all components in-house, proving once again the brand’s expert craftsmanship.

In 2004 Grand Seiko developed spring drive technology with the 9R6 series, combining electronic and mechanical components to create a luxury watch of the highest calibre. Just two years later, the brand used spring drive technology in the 9R66 with an automatic GMT function.

To this day, Grand Seiko watches continue to push the boundaries of precision and accuracy with their unique spring drive technology, calibre 9F quartz and superior craftsmanship.

4: What makes Grand Seiko unique? 

Grand Seiko timepieces are handmade in Japan by artisan craftsmen and women, for those who value perfection. Every Grand Seiko watch offers signature high standards of beautifully Japanese precision, durability and legibility.

Every Grand Seiko watch reflects the Japanese spirituality of time inspired by nature. 

With a Grand Seiko watch, you’ll be adorning your wrist with one of the finest, most accurate and beautifully created luxury watches. With such precision craftsmanship, owning a Grand Seiko watch is a statement of elegance and perfection and an appreciation of the mastery and dedication used to design your timepiece.

With Grand Seiko, you know you’re wearing a luxury wristwatch created with the latest and most precise technology.

5: Which Grand Seiko movement is right for you?

The grand Seiko movements are mechanical, quartz and spring drive, offering variations in the accuracy of time lost or gained over a period of time. 

QUARTZ: The annual accuracy is ±10 seconds when worn on the wrist within a normal temperature range (between 5 ºC and 35 ºC) for approximately 8 hours per day.

SPRING DRIVE: Average monthly loss / gain is ±15 seconds when worn on the wrist within a normal temperature range (between 5 ºC and 35 ºC）.

MECHANICAL: Accuracy of Grand Seiko mechanical watches when worn is specified within the target range of -1 to +10 seconds per day. To properly judge the accuracy under normal use conditions, check the mean value of gain / loss over a period of seven to ten days.

6: Do Grand Seiko watches hold value and are they a good investment?

Grand Seiko produces luxury watches that can retain most of their value depending on the style of watch that you purchase and it's purchase price. It is typical of watches to see a depreciation of 5-20% on resale value, but other factors can contribute such as, date purchased, overall condition and wear, original packaging and servicing. 

Grand Seiko ticks all the boxes: prestige, reliability, quality and value over time. And with a name that reflects the maker’s desire to create the ‘king’ of watches you wouldn’t expect anything less.

7: What are the designs of the Grand Seiko watches inspired by?

Every Grand Seiko watch reflects the Japanese spirituality of time inspired by nature.

For the Japanese, black and white are seldom expressed in their extremes, there are always numerous graduations between light and shadow to be discovered. Shadow is appreciated as much as light and the harmony between the two is highly valued.

On a perfectly polished surface, the play of light and shadow creates a beautiful harmony. This interaction can be seen in traditional Japanese folding screens and Shoji sliding doors. Even though these screens and doors are constructed with simple straight lines and flat surfaces of paper and wood, the ever-changing interplay of light and shadow created endless expressions of character.

8: What are the styles of Grand Seiko watches? 

The grand seiko style conveys the true Japanese sense of beauty, focusing on straight lines and flat surfaces that together achieve a structural design with endless expressions of light and shadow.

The Grand Seiko style is a design language centred on the idea of the ‘sparkle with quality’. It reflects exactly the essential characteristics of Grand Seiko: precision, beauty, legibility and ease of use. It represents form and function in perfect harmony. Take a look at these incredible designs here.

9: Why should I buy a Grand Seiko timepiece? 

The Grand Seiko wristwatches have an interesting history, exceptional craftsmanship, and excellent movements. Learn more today! If you want to make an understated statement of elegance and good taste, a Grand Seiko wristwatch is worth its investment.

Apart from its intriguing history and advanced tech movement, one of the extraordinary things about Grand Seiko is its craftsmanship. Grand Seiko has stayed true to the traditional method of watch polishing, adjustment, and assembly. Grand Seiko are known for a particular polishing method called 'Zaratsu Polishing', a technique that allows Grand Seiko to design watches with sharper angles and distortion-free surfaces that “sparkle with quality"

The human touch of its craftsmanship, the accurate high tech movements, and the beautiful history that you can still see in each wristwatch are some of the reasons why a Grand Seiko timepiece is worth considering as your next purchase.

10: You can visit the Grand Seiko Showroom at Deacons Jewellers in Swindon

Deacons Jewellers are based in Wood Street, in Swindon’s Old Town, with a modern showroom, helping you to to discuss, select and browse their range of Grand Seiko watches with one of our team. Contact us on Tel: 01793 522072 or Email: enquiries@deacons-jewellers.com  to book an appointment or talk with one of our experts.