MAKING WAVES
In times of scorching heat and prolonged daytime working in tandem to nourish vegetation, summer is a celebration of the great outdoors. In Japan, each of the four seasons has its own distinctive phases called a sekki. A brand that stands apart from its peers, Grand Seiko has made its marks in watchmaking through unwavering devotion towards impeccable craftsmanship reflective of its Japanese roots. To invoke the sekki of Shōsho, Grand Seiko scans the surface of the many idyllic lakes scattered across Japan for inspiration.
The undulating pattern of the dial of the SBGJ249 echoes the soft ripples glowing in the early summer sun. Its baby-blue colour mirrors the pristine water. Shōsho is personified in this seasonal piece. Not unlike other Grand Seiko watches, the 39.5mm steel case of this GMT watch is Zaratsu polished to perfection. With 55 hours of power reserve, at the heart of the action is the in-house Hi-Beat 36000 GMT calibre 9S86, whose wondrously finished bridges can be seen through a transparent caseback.