During an interview with Yosh Kawada, president and CEO of Seiko Corporation of America, the iW team recently learned more about the latest timepieces from Seiko. Kawada also had praise for Seiko ambassadors Novak Djokovic, Jimmy Johnson, and Misty Copeland. Take a look at the exclusive iW video.
Grand Seiko 62GS
The Grand Seiko Historical Collection reflects on Grand Seiko’s 55-year history by honoring the first automatic movement for Grand Seiko, 62GS, which debuted in 1967. The new 62GS series includes eight models that embody Grand Seiko’s commitment to precision, legibility, comfort and durability while maintaining the dial markers and logo of the original model.
Four of the new models are complete re-creations of the original 1967 watch, now powered by manual winding Caliber 9S65, which is indicated by the crown location at 4 o’clock. That stainless steel collection is limited to 600 while each of the three gold versions are topped off at 100 pieces. The remainder of the new models are modern reinterpretations with a slightly enlarged case size (from 37.6mm to 40mm) and new visibility of the movement through the caseback. The Hi-Beat (with 36,000 vph) watch is driven by Caliber 9S85 and cased in stainless steel with a matching bracelet. Caliber 9S65 powers the new titanium Spring Drive models. Both of these are being made in a limited availability of 1,000 units with a classic white dial and 700 with blue or black dials.
Prospex Marinemaster
Celebrating fifty years of developing dive watches replica, Seiko also recently introduced a limited edition of 700 pieces reminiscent of its first Hi-Beat 36000 dive watch from 1968. This watch is powered by the newly developed 8L55 movement, which is specially optimized to meet the most advanced specifications in its field. The escapement wheel and pallet fork are made using MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) technology that provides high precision, durability and the lightness necessary for 36,000 vibrations per hour. Seiko’s proprietary alloy Spron 530 is used to create the mainspring while Spron 610 is used for the balance spring. Both deliver durability and higher antimagnetic resistance.
The 48.2mm one-piece titanium case makes this watch ideal for saturation diving without the need for a helium escape valve. The rotating bezel is securely fixed to the case with four screws next to the 12 and 6 o’clock positions. The hands and hour markers are coated in a new-generation Lumibrite for enhanced legibility. Every step to create the watch is completed by Seiko’s skilled workers at the Shizuku-ishi Watch Studio.
Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time
The Dual-Time Caliber 8X53 is the third addition to the Astron GPS Solar collection. Its functions include a world-time function with an am/pm indication, retro grade day of the week at the 2 o’clock position, perpetual calendar correct until 2100, signal indication, one fifth chronograph second increments and much more. These expanded features are housed in a 45mm titanium or stainless steel case with a ceramic bezel and powered by light. The collections is available in eight colors in addition to a special limited edition of 3,000 featuring a mother-of-pearl dial.