Manual SBGK002

A masterclass in elegance and craft

Caliber 9S63 is a significant addition to the ever growing Grand Seiko family of movements. It's a slimmer mechanical package, and it offers a small seconds register at the 9 o’clock position and a power reserve indicator at 3. The thinness of the movement allows for a slimmer, dressier case design. The case here, rendered in 18k rose gold, is polished by a special Zaratsu method created to accentuate the beauty of the curved surfaces. The dial and the sapphire crystal are also curved to give the watch a classic look.

The dial on SBGK002 showcases a form of Japanese craftsmanship known as Urushi lacquer. The amber color is made from a transparent and long lasting Urushi that comes from trees grown in and around the town of Joboji near Mt. Iwate, the mountain that dominates the skyline above Studio Shizukuishi. Through this amber colored lacquer one can see the elegant Mt. Iwate pattern on the dial, which replicates the ridges found along the mountainside. 

The hour markers and the ‘’GS’’ letters are decorated using the traditional Maki-e technique by Urushi master Isshu Tamura in his studio in Kanazawa on the west coast of Japan’s main island. By applying layer after layer of lacquer, these markers are given a three-dimensional profile, resulting in a strong visual presence on the dial. Tamura then applies powder, either 24k gold or platinum, to the markers before finally polishing them by hand using his own special tools to give Maki-e its delicate shimmering appearance. This processes requires great dexterity as it is very challenging to give every marker the same depth, especially on a curved surface.