Capture summer’s approach and the autumn equinox with the new SBGH351 Rikka and SBGH353 Shūbun
Call it inspiration at its most sublime. Japan’s 24 sekki—seasonal divisions that break the year’s passage into 24 nuanced shifts—seem most fittingly expressed by a watchmaker that shares the same cultural heritage.
As Japan’s flag bearer for high-end watchmaking in recent years, Grand Seiko, which was introduced in 1960 under the Seiko brand, and positioned as a standalone marque in 2017, embodies the country’s knack for innovation and respect for tradition. With its special edition watches that pay homage to “the Japanese passage of time”, Grand Seiko also wears its country’s biophilia and poetic spirit proudly.
seasonal divisions, when spring transitions to summer. Photo by Grand Seiko
Two new models, SBGH351 Rikka and SBGH353 Shūbun, extend this narrative, joining a growing line-up of season-inspired dials that collectors will undoubtedly covet. Rikka, which arrives in early May, signals summer’s approach with lengthening days and the season’s first deep greens. Shūbun, the autumn equinox in late September, heralds cooler temperatures before the leaves begin to turn colour.
The SBGH351 Rikka is adorned with a textured green dial, evoking windswept grasslands surrounding the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi in Iwate Prefecture. Meanwhile, the SBGH353 Shūbun features a deep blue dial reminiscent of autumn night skies, accented with gold touches on the Grand Seiko logo and seconds hand.
Both watches hail from the Heritage collection, a family of classic dress watches that link Grand Seiko’s pioneering 1960s designs to the present. Distinguished by refined silhouettes, Zaratsu mirror polishing, balanced dial layouts, and uncompromising functionality, Heritage models serve as an elegant canvas for these seasonal tributes. The 40mm ‘Ever-Brilliant’ steel case and matching bracelet, crafted from a proprietary alloy reputed to be the world’s most corrosion-resistant steel, ensure durability without compromising elegance.
Powering both watches is the Hi-Beat 36000 Caliber 9S85, an advanced automatic movement introduced in 2009. Beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour—rivalling Zenith’s legendary El Primero—it delivers superior precision alongside a 55-hour power reserve. Like the shifting seasons that inspire them, these timepieces seem to also capture the essence of Grand Seiko’s horological ethos—unforced, beautiful, and inevitable.
