If the recent storms are any indication the UK is still well and truly in the throes of winter. However, on the other side of the world in Japan Grand Seiko have said screw you winter, let’s look forward to the year ahead and celebrate summer and autumn. That message is loud and clear thanks to the new Grand Seiko 62GS ‘Rikka’ SBGH351 and 62GS ‘Shubun’ SBGH353 watches with updated cases.
I say updated cases because the Rikka and Shubun were originally released as part of a US exclusive quartet. These new models are replacements to those old versions and are available globally instead of just stateside. Focussing back on the cases, the update I’m referring to is the fact they’re now presented in Grand Seiko’s Ever Brilliant Steel instead of titanium. This change allows for a higher lustre to the Zaratsu polished surfaces as steel typically has a lighter silver colour to it than the grey of titanium. Both cases measure 40mm in diameter with the 62GS collection’s signature wide, flat arcing shape from lug to lug.
Right, now on to the meat and potatoes of any Grand Seiko launch, the dials. First up is Rikka, named after the seventh sekki (Japanese micro-season) of the year, which starts in May. This is the transitional micro-season between spring and summer where early summer breezes blow across strong and healthy plants. Which is why it has a rich green dial finished with a wavy texture that evokes a sense of wind over leaves.
Second is the 62GS Shubun, named for the 16th sekki and the autumn equinox. While we’re more familiar with the summer equinox, the longest day of the year and the winter equinox, the shortest day of the year, the autumn equinox is less talked about. It’s when day and night are of equal lengths. As such, the Shubun has a golden seconds hand like the sun and a dark blue dial like the night sky.
Both models house the calibre 98S5 with automatic winding and a 55-hour power reserve. They also have hi-beat frequencies of 36,000 vph providing great accuracy of +5/-3 seconds per day. In addition to sharing a movement, the 62GS Rikka and 62GS Shubun also share a price of £6,350, which is right in the pocket of the 62GS collection that runs from £5,900-£7,050. It might still be winter but these watches have me yearning for longer days already.
Price and Specs:
More details at Grand Seiko.
My Seiko SPB249J is not too dissimilar in looks, it cost new July 24 $862 Au / £431 and is as accurate with a 6R35A movement. I could not be happier with my purchase.