Sakura, spring and snow. Nature at its most inspirational.
This limited edition celebrates the 55th anniversary of the celebrated 44GS, the watch that, in 1967, was the first to embody the Grand Seiko Style, the philosophy that has guided the design of every subsequent Grand Seko watch. At 36.5 mm in diameter and 11.6 mm in thickness, it is compact and easy to wear thanks to slimness of the manual winding Caliber 9S64.
The combination of a flat dial and a wide opening lets light pour in and allows the razor-edged, multi-faceted indexes and hour and minute hands to show their brilliance, thus making the time easy to read. The dial has the texture and delicate pink color of the new cherry blossom when it is covered with snow. The ephemeral beauty of this early Spring phenomenon is greatly appreciated in Japan. It is known as Sakura-kakushi, which means ‘the hiding of the cherry blossom’.
Light, shadow and texture
The Grand Seiko Style that the 1967 44GS embodied has nine separate elements that govern the design of every detail of the watch, from the angle of the case to the shape of the 12 o’clock index and the flatness of the dial. All are clearly in evidence here and contribute to the special “sparkle of quality” that defines Grand Seiko. Every facet of the case, the hands and the indexes is designed to reflect even the smallest ray of light and to create countless combinations of light and shadow that change at each new angle. The Zaratsu polished mirror surfaces and hairline finishes combine perfectly. The dial’s texture is as delicate as the flower that inspires it. This is the crisp, clear, unique aesthetic that says “This is Grand Seiko”.
The strength of the lion and an individual serial number
This 44GS 55th Anniversary watch is offered in a limited edition of 1,200. The words Limited Edition and the individual serial number are engraved on the case back alongside the lion which has been the emblem of Grand Seiko’s strength ever since was first presented in 1960.
