Eric67
192
For sure there is a japanese style.
As there is a german style. The german style has it roots in history. After the fall of the wall, many brands, A Lange und Söhne at the head, reinvent german watchmaking taking inspiration from the past: three quarter plate, gold chatons, engravings... often in classical forms, like marines. Dornblüth, Stowa, Henschel, Lang und Heyne... how not to see there is a style here? All german watches aren't, of course, in this style, but that doesn't mean this style doesn't exist.
Historically, the date of birth of a proper japanese watch is the work of Taro Tanaka and the launch of Grand Seiko, preceeded by a few Seiko like the laurel. Before that, there is no japanese watch that doesn't look like another watch. Thé japanese style has been created by Grand Seiko, historically. The japanese style is the grammar of design. There are other japanese watches that aren't in this style, like there are german watches that aren't in german style, of course. Citizen uses the same style, and their watches are nothing less good, but the origin lies in Grand Seiko.
Nowadays, Grand Seiko wants to be a global brand, and in the process one can argue that they have lost their style, their specificity, the accuracy of their design. It's my opinion. Is it for the better or worse?
imho
More posts:
What Defines The Look Of A High End Japanese Watch? Only You Can Help Identify the Japanese Watch DNA!
Recently I saw that Citizen is beginning to step into higher end watches with its The Citizen line. I love the well polished dauphine hands, strong markers, and use of patterned washi paper. Is This The Japanese Horological Aesthetic? Like how we could lo...
I see the similarity here but I'm not sure it carries over to all Japanese watches
I have had plenty and I guess you might want to qualify "High-End" does it mean just The Citizen and Credor and Grand Seiko and the few hand-built watches? Minase brand watch Higher-end Seiko with automatic Expensive Kinetic Presage "heritage look" Divers...
On the contrary, I see a lot of common stylistic touches, albeit within watch categories.
Look at the dressy or sporty/dressy and you'll see commonalities for sure! I would say that divers are their own aesthetic, and the skeleton credor is a Japanese watch, but it's in a Swiss style, as Cazalea points out. Would you agree? Let me know!
Wow, these are great! You are the expert! However, I would say that perhaps a Japanese aesthetic is a work in progress rather than a defined value?
I'm not arguing for a universal style that all Japanese watches from all times (like the 70s) must adhere to. But surely, at least in modern times, there are some shared Japanese aesthetic and manufacturing values that are often adhered to (even as except...
I'll be happy to offer some thoughts and photos!
The Japanese watchmaking houses, I would argue, excel in technical innovation, case design, dial furniture finishing and machining. Seiko's Micro Artist studio also offer Dufour inspired movement finishing as seen in their Credor watches (I don't have any...
These are very nice pictures, as always!
I think you are touching on some of the key points! I would love to see your photograph of a few Credors sometime!
Hello Tabby
What a friendly thread. What a nice Citizen you share with us. With Citizen i have a warm relation. A warm brand. So passionated in the products they do. The watch you post called The Citizen. Fantastic they want to go up higher. Citizen is a fantastic co...
Thank you for sharing! I find Citizen is more and more interesting to me
I'm looking forward to learning more!
Who know?
Because i have my list ready, and three open spots. A sneak peak… Well. H Moser & Cie Pioneer central seconds. Fly with me to the moon, Frank Sinatra Bulova. Baume & Mercier Riviera Azur. Omega CK859. Hentschel H1. Accutron DNA. Oyster Perpetual 114300 Ar...
Sure Tabby
When i woke up for a toilet visit, this thing flashed to my brains, IWC pilot watch MK XX. This bad ass is dangerous, it would erase any other watch.
That's an awesome purple dial!
Yes, I think of all those are touchstones for their visual DNA!
That Citizen reminds me of what I do like in GS.
A case with very defined edges, strong dial markers and sharpe hands. I do think that GS is spoiled sometimes by too much text on the dial. The photos your share here are the perfect example. The Citizen is just far cleaner. Here’s one of my Japanese, a r...
Here are some more pictures of my Japanese watches.
I had just added some of the dressier watches, no divers or others. The vintage GS which I favour did not have the hands which we all like in modern GS. However the case features, and the dial furniture tends to be what we do like (strong). ...
I appreciate that the Japanese style, at least for nice watches, is something "in progress"
The vintage has its own charm, however.
For sure there is a japanese style.
As there is a german style. The german style has it roots in history. After the fall of the wall, many brands, A Lange und Söhne at the head, reinvent german watchmaking taking inspiration from the past: three quarter plate, gold chatons, engravings... of...
The strange thing is we never see WHO is Seiko or Grand Seiko
Of course the workshops in Nagano and Morioka are documented and I have visited both. But the core of the company is quite under-cover, and they rely on the factories to produce the watches. But where and who are the people who set the design philosophy, ...
Good questions and even better factory pictures!
The Credor Eichi ii is such a lovely watch. Any plans to pick one up?
Since my current watch count is over 100, no
I have to get back into the groove of selling, so I can buy another one
Oh wow, well, maybe at 97 there will be room for a credor
How fun though, sounds like you had a great time getting to 100+!
A good point Eric re GS.
The desire for global success may have diluted the design. I think this is why I’ve been so drawn to vintage GS and struggle to find a modern GS that sings to me.
Most excellent question!
It’s always been the attractive dials and they seem to be getting better and better. ...
Clean design case, with subtle curves and lines. Also not slim, but rather sturdy/high.
Big satisfying crowns. Unmatched 5 dimensional hands. Similar with markers on the dial. Then the dials themselves being a handmade work of art. The movements being executed - truly - by hand and at a spectacular level (in the case of the Micro Artist Stud...
Those are great descriptions of the style! And a very nice Grand Seiko.
I am looking a lot now at the super finely finished Grand Seikos with the 9R02 movement as well as the Credor Eichi II.
It's beautiful! It subtly reminds one of how much care went into every detail.
The warmth of the rose gold adds interest and makes the simplicity welcoming. An exceptional watch!
Fantastic choice, and very little waiting!
Best in both aspects of an incoming delight. Enjoy! Cazalea
