GRAND SEIKO Elegance Collection SBGY027

a grand seiko timepiece inspired by traditional japanese gardens, the karesansui

In Japan, a country where rainfall is common, houses have long been built with wide roofs and large cornices to protect the wooden structure. This type of architecture used to create light and shadow areas that give rise to a multitude of light effects under the eaves. Inside, light is captured by shōji, wooden frames covered with washi paper used for windows, doors, and even walls, creating beautiful surfaces where light diffuses, bringing soft and highly varied lighting to each space.

Karesansui is a perfect example of how this passion for light and shade is integrated into the home. In this garden style, typically Japanese, mountainous landscapes and waterways are evoked only with stones and sand. The white sand gives the illusion of water, and even when it is only dimly lit, a wave pattern emerges from the bright flat surfaces contrasting with the shadows formed by the deep grooves.

The dial of this new Grand Seiko watch has a meticulous pattern with gently curved lines radiating from the center. The appearance of the dial changes constantly, depending on the angle of view and the light, just like the sand in the karesansui gardens.

The watch is equipped with a hand-wound Spring Drive 9R31 caliber.

The gray second hand glides smoothly and quietly across the dial, evoking the serenity and natural passage of time one feels when contemplating a karesansui garden.