In 2019, Grand Seiko unveiled the Japan Seasons collection. That initial launch featured four watches — SBGA413 (Shunbun), SBGH271 (Rikka), SBGH273 (Shubun) and SBGA415 (Taisetsu) — each of them representing one of Japan’s twenty-four sekki (micro-seasons) that mark the progression of the four seasons. In 2020, Grand Seiko expanded the collection with two special edition timepieces (SBGA427 and SBGA429) exclusive to the United States and named after one of the twenty-four sekki known in Japan as Sōkō.
For 2021, Grand Seiko presents four new timepieces continuing the brand’s exploration of the twenty-four sekki: SBGJ249 (Shōsho), SBGJ251 (Shunbun), SBGE269 (Tōji), and SBGE271 (Kanro).
Shōsho takes us to high summer right when the rainy seasons ends. In this period, the warm winds blow across the thousands of lakes and ponds throughout Japan, creating delicate ripples along the top of the water that shimmer under the early summer sun. This effect is captured by the dial of SBGJ249, with its horizontal ripple pattern finished in a light blue hue.
The Hi-Beat GMT 9S86 caliber runs at 36,000 bph, has a 55-hour power reserve, and an accuracy rating of +5/-3 seconds a day. Through the utilization of MEMS and through the development of Spron alloys for the mainspring and hairspring, Grand Seiko was able to create high frequency movements that could maintain a 55-hour power reserve while running at a high frequency.
