Re-Creation of the First Grand Seiko
Re-Creation of the First Grand Seiko
2017 GPHG Men's Category Finalist
Standing out among the final six contestants in the 2017 GPHG Men's category, Grand Seiko go all 1960s, to celebrate its full independence as a stand alone high end watch manufacturer, with a reverent and charismatic tribute to its earliest days with the Re-creation of the First Grand Seiko.
Like a flashback from the beginning of the 1960s, the Re-creation of the First Grand Seiko is a faithful yet contemporary reproduction of what would become the foundation piece of a great Japanese specialist watch manufacturer. Slightly enlarged to 38mm and encased in 18kt gold, in its retro design the First Grand Seiko Re-creation is otherwise true in almost every aspect to the original Grand Seiko, and a reminder of how they got it so right first time round.
As regular participants in the GPHG over the years (their Hi-Beat 36000 GMT did win the Petit Aiguille award in 2014), Grand Seiko have nothing to prove in regards to their horological prowess, and among its rivals for the Men's Aiguille award it is unique in its timeless simplicity, as it is a straightforward and reserved, classically styled three hand watch, and its vintage looks really do make it seem like it's from another time, when compared to the other finalists.
There is most certainly a lot of love for Grand Seiko, yet while the Re-creation oozes authentic vintage charm, it's something of an enigma in this line up. On one hand, it's aesthetics are pure and functional, it boasts a fine in-house manual winding movement, and in truth it really is a classic men's watch, so as far as the jury panel are concerned, what's not to love? On the other, however, that same finalist line up features some pretty significant watches which are more 'of our time', and historically in recent years the GPHG jury has tended to appreciate something just a little more exotic in this hugely influential Men's category.
The Watch Press prediction
No gong for Grand Seiko.
The pertinents
REFERENCE: SBGW252
CASE: Yellow gold
BRACELET/STRAP: Leather
BUCKLE: Pin buckle
MOVEMENT: Manual winding mechanical. Power reserve: 72 h, 28'800 vph
FUNCTIONS: Hours, Minutes, Seconds
SIZE: ø 38 mm
THICKNESS: 10.7 mm
WATERPROOFNESS: 30 m
PRICE EXCL.VAT: CHF 19'710
Returning to the scene of previous glories, Kari Voutilainen and his remarkable 28ISO watch will be a cause for concern for the rival contestants in the 2017 GPHG Men's category. Requiring a degree of cerebral juggling to understand its subtle but unconventional nuances, it's as fascinating as it is beautiful.