Winter is Coming
This creation exhibits a new dial pattern while inheriting a classic Grand Seiko case design. The dial evokes an icefall that one might encounter in the dead of winter on Mount Iwate, the imposing peak visible from the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, home to Grand Seiko mechanical watchmaking. Such frozen waterfalls are natural phenomena whereby the water flowing downward gradually solidifies when the temperature drops below freezing. This fantastic scene is depicted on the dial through the dynamic and detailed pattern, as well as a unique icy-blue color.
The city of Hachimantai in Iwate Prefecture is the home of Nanataki, a 30-meter waterfall that originates from a stream that flows down Mt. Iwate. The dial represents this frozen waterfall, which creates massive icicles during the coldest time of the year. The new dial pattern and color illustrate the dynamism of the frozen Nanataki and the mysterious expressions found in the bluish-white hue of the ice.
This reference is built around Grand Seiko's own Ever-Brilliant Steel, which boasts higher corrosion resistance than the stainless steel used in regular high-end watches (indeed, it has the highest level of corrosion resistance in the world), one that shines with a brilliant white. It is powered by Calibre 9S85, a high-frequency mechanical movement that marries a high oscillation rate and accuracy, with a real-world practical power reserve of about 55 hours when fully wound.