Grand Seiko: From the majestic white birch forest to this Spring Drive masterpiece

This watch is only the third fully engraved masterpiece by Grand Seiko, powered by a manual-winding Spring Drive movement. Both the silver-colored dial and Platinum 950 case express the natural beauty of this forest. Created by expert watchmakers, engravers, and artisans, the watch is the result of a meticulous set of processes performed entirely in-house. First polished to create a distortion-free mirror surface through the Zaratsu method, each case is then painstakingly hand engraved with long individual grooves by the skilled engravers of the Shinshu Watch Studio, which is in the same facility as the Micro Artist Studio. Each groove brings to life the sea of white birch trees in a pattern that seamlessly echoes a similar pattern found on the dial.

The dial features the celebrated Shinshu white birch pattern familiar to Grand Seiko fans, yet this masterpiece's dial has a slightly different tone and a more metallic texture, causing it to shine subtly under light.

The hour and minute hands, as well as each of the hand-applied diamond-cut markers, are made of 14k white gold to ensure a sharp and brilliant finish, while the minute track, the lettering and the mark at six o'clock are all carved into the dial. The second’s hand is tempered to a harmonious shade of grey. It glides across the textured dial to reflect the natural flow of time.

The smooth glide motion of this hand is, of course, all thanks to the meticulously crafted manual winding Spring Drive Caliber 9R02. Its outstanding 84-hour power reserve is the result of the Dual Spring Barrel. Accurate to one second per day, the hand-assembled Spring Drive movement exemplifies the understated refinement and quality of Grand Seiko watchmaking.

Like the case and dial, Caliber 9R02 reveals its heritage in its detail. The movement's barrel, for example, is decorated to echo the bellflower, the symbol of Shiojiri. The two hand-finished bridges have high-polished edges that serve as a dramatic counterpoint, demonstrating the exquisite craftsmanship that is the hallmark of the Micro Artist Studio. An 18kgold plaque set on the lower bridge is engraved with the words "Micro Artist”.

About the Micro Artist Studio

The Micro Artist Studio is a luxury watch atelier in Shiojiri, located in the Shinshu region, which makes a series of exclusive Spring Drive watches that combine the best in horological technology with hand craftsmanship of the highest order. The studio was established in 2000 with the purpose of “uncovering, examining, and mastering the technologies and skills passed on by our predecessors for the production of luxury watches." The team consists of craftsmen and women, each an expert in their respective fields, such as movement design, assembly, and movement finishing.

Discover more about Grand Seiko online, and keep an eye out for new releases from the fair landing both on our websites and in our showrooms.