Grand Seiko Elegance "Karesansui" Spring Drive grey dial leather strap 38,5 mm

Inspired by the karesansui

In Japan, a country where rainfall is frequent, houses have long been built with large roofs and large cornices to protect the wooden structure. This type of architecture used creates areas of light and shadow that give rise to a multitude of light effects under the eaves. Inside, light is captured by shōji, wooden frames covered with washi paper used for windows, doors, and even walls, creating beautiful surfaces where light diffuses, bringing soft and highly varied lighting to each space.

Karesansui is a perfect example of how this passion for light and shade is integrated into the home. In this garden style, typically Japanese, mountainous landscapes and waterways are evoked only with stones and sand. The white sand gives the illusion of water, and even when it is illuminated only by dim light, a wave pattern emerges from the bright flat surfaces contrasting with the shadows formed by the very deep grooves.

The dial of this Grand Seiko watch has a meticulous pattern with gently curved lines radiating from the center. The appearance of the dial changes constantly, depending on the angle of view and the light, just like the sand of the karesansui gardens. The meticulously polished hour and minute markers and hands also ensure a high level of legibility. The second hand glides smoothly and quietly over the dial. It evokes the serenity and the inevitable passage of time that one can feel when contemplating a karesansui.

An elegant watch

The case used for this Grand Seiko Elegance SBGY027 is made of steel and measures 38.5 mm in diameter and 10.2 mm thick. The finish is what we expect from a Grand Seiko watch, with polished and brushed areas alternating with each other. Its perfect finish is due in particular to the Zaratsu polishing technique, which had to be adapted specifically for this case to create a distortion-free finish on its curved lugs!

A domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating covers the front, while a second one covers the back. This timepiece is worn on a calfskin strap with a folding clasp.

An exceptional mechanism

This Grand Seiko Elegance "Karesansui" is powered by the exceptional hand-wound caliber 9R31! Unveiled in 2019 alongside the caliber 9R02 which is produced by Micro Artist Studio, the 9R31 commemorated the 20th anniversary of Spring Drive. This slim, high-performance movement features a double barrel structure, which allows it to offer a large 72-hour power reserve while still being compact. Its power reserve indicator is visible on the back of the watch through the sapphire caseback.

This movement is beautifully decorated with exposed rubies, blued screws and beveled diamond-cut bridges. This 9R31 has a unique brushed finish bridge. Similar to the 3/4 plates used by German watchmakers, this construction is perfect for maintaining high shock resistance and improving the efficiency of the gear train. In total, the caliber 9R31 has over 200 components and is the second thinnest Grand Seiko Spring Drive caliber after the caliber 9R02. It is produced by the Shinshu Watch Studio, located in the Shiojiri plant of Seiko Epson Corporation.

An exclusive limited edition

This reference SBGY027 "Karesansui" is a limited edition of 100 pieces, available exclusively at the new Grand Seiko Paris Place Vendôme boutique and at selected European retailers! It will be available from January 2023.