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SJX's 2010 report on a Grand Seiko celebration in Singapore offers a fascinating glimpse into the brand's growing international presence and its dedication to horological excellence. The event, attended by a team from Japan including a master watchmaker, showcased Grand Seiko's innovations and provided collectors with an intimate experience. This article highlights the brand's meticulous craftsmanship and the community's enthusiasm for its unique offerings.
Just yesterday Seiko and its local distributor Thong Sia hosted a group of watch collectors and Grand Seiko fans. The attendees enjoyed a presentation at the Thong Sia showroom followed by an excellent Japanese dinner. I have always been a fan of Grand Seiko (click here and here for my reviews of the Grand Seiko GMT SBGM003).
In Singapore for the event was a three person team from Japan, comprising Mr Harumitsu Akashi, Senior Manage for the PR and Advertising Department, Mr Noboru Hosokawa, an engineer, and Ms Chitose Masuda, a master watchmaker from Seiko Epson.
From left: Mr Noboru Hosokawa, Ms Chitose Masuda and Mr Harumitsu Akashi
A big thank you to Mr Akashi, Mr Hosokawa and Ms Masuda, the team at Thong Sia as well as Peter Chong, for the wonderful evening.
- SJX
This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-07-16 00:02:22The Grand Seiko GMT SBGM003 is an automatic timepiece featuring an ivory dial and a GMT complication. It was part of the Grand Seiko line that began to be marketed outside of Japan in 2005, making it more accessible to international collectors. The watch is characterized by its conservative yet refined design, with meticulous attention to detail on the dial and case.
Its construction includes highly polished and beveled metal components on the dial, with hour markers and hands crafted to a high standard. The GMT function is indicated by a blue 24-hour hand, providing a second time zone display. The watch is powered by a mechanical automatic movement, reflecting Grand Seiko's commitment to traditional horological craftsmanship.
The SBGM003 holds relevance for collectors as an early example of Grand Seiko's international expansion and its dedication to producing high-quality, understated timepieces. Its blend of traditional aesthetics and practical complications, combined with its limited availability outside Japan at the time of its release, contributes to its desirability among enthusiasts.
Prior to dinner Mr Akashi gave a brief presentation to explain Grand Seiko as well as its various innovations, including Spring Drive and the materials Seiko has developed for hairsprings and mainsprings. Particularly interesting was the explanation of the high-end GS quartz calibres, which have twin-impulse motors (as opposed to single impusle for conventional quartz) which allow Seiko to use the same thick and heavy hands on the quartz watches. Even the copper wire coil in a GS quartz is uniqu
The group then adjourned to Kuriya Penthouse at Orchard Central for dinner. Located on the top floor of the mall, the restaurant offers a brilliant view of Orchard Road and surrounding area (which is most of the island). The kaiseki was excellent, well prepared with excellent ingredients. The pictures only show about a third of the courses, I forgot to photograph the rest. This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-07-15 22:57:26
Afte dinner a lucky draw was conducted, with the prize being Twelve Faces of Time, the book on watchmakers launched at Baselworld earlier this year. One of the 12 watchmakers featured is Kenji Shiohara of Seiko's Micro Artist Studio in Shiojiri. Name cards were mixed in a large bowl and Ms Masuda, blindfolded of course, picked the winner who was Lionel Kok.
Some of the Baselworld 2010 collection was show, including the 50th anniversary models. These look much better in person than in photos. Especially attractive is the blue dial model that has a deep and richly coloured blue dial which is almost black at certain angles. There were of course numerous Grand Seikos on various wrists. One that caught my eye was the SBGM009 GMT on the wrist of Mr Akashi. I had always thought it had a black dial, but it is instead a very dark shade of brown, reminiscent
And of course a group shot was mandatory. This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-07-15 23:33:19
Finally, if the honourable members of this forum would indulge me in some crass showing off of my excessively valuable and vastly expensive collection of Seiko watches. These photos were requested by the modest forum member known only as cen@jkt and thus I could not refuse. - SJX This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-07-15 23:58:40
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