A Quartet Of Seasons

Grand Seiko’s new GMT collection is inspired by Japan’s climatic phases.

THE ONLY HAPPENSTANCE better than a new Grand Seiko dial is four of them dropping at once, as in the case of its new 2021 GMT collection that takes after the four seasons. The quartet arrives in a tried-and-tested Grand Seiko format of a braceleted, steel-cased wristwatch – the very picture of modern elegance with simple baton markers and clean-cut, beautifully polished hands. A date window sits at three o’clock, while a coloured GMT hand is centrally mounted.

Each watch takes after a particular phase

of a season, of which there are 24, according to Japanese tradition. Shunbun (spring, SBGJ251) features a vibrant green dial, while Shosho (summer, SBGJ249) is a more contemplative blue wave pattern inspired by the rainy season. Kanro (autumn, SBGE271) is a moody, inky shade reminiscent of mysterious, foggy evenings, while Toji (winter, SBGE269) has a crisp white dial that captures the texture of snow-covered landscapes.

Though similar in size and appearance – all four are roughly 40mm in diameter and 14mm thick – they are split into two models with subtle differences in hands, dial layout and movement. Shunbun and Shosho (€7,600 each) sport the 36,000vph Hi-Beat calibre 9S86, while Kanro and Toji (€6,800 each) are equipped with the Spring Drive calibre 9R66 that also includes a power reserve indicator on the dial. Spring Drive is, of course, a Grand Seiko signature and the benefits include a 72-hour power reserve, an exceptional accuracy of +/- one second per day, and, uniquely, a smoothly gliding seconds hand.