Watches and Wonders 2023 marks a major unveiling for Grand Seiko as they expand their Evolution 9 sports watch range with a new mechanical chronograph, theTentagraph.
Grand Seiko Tentagraph - Grand Seiko
As we have come to expect from Grand Seiko the fundamental principle of their design is the pursuit of precision. To maintain this goal at the heart of the new Tentagraph is Seiko’s cutting edge high-beat Calibre 9SC5. This movement beats at 36,000 vph, ensuring ultra high accuracy when measuring elapsed time. Thanks to an energy-efficient escapement and two barrels, the watch runs for up to three days (72 hours) even with the chronograph in operation.
Grand Seiko Tentagraph - Grand Seiko
As with all Grand Seiko mechanical movements, the Tentagraph’s accuracy is measured in six positions and at three temperatures over 17 days with an additional three further tests performed with the chronograph in operation.
Grand Seiko design DNA is very apparent in this sports watch. The bold hands and prominent grooved indexes of the Evolution 9 Style ensure supreme legibility. The chronograph seconds hand is gently curved down towards the dial so that the tip of the hand is as close as possible to the dial's markers. The minute hand is also gently curved to maximise legibility. The case and bracelet are made from titanium.
Grand Seiko Tentagraph - Grand Seiko
The dial features Grand Seiko’s signature “Mt. Iwate pattern,” which takes inspiration from the ridged contours of the nearby mountain visible through the windows of the Grand Seiko Studio. The majestic peak serves as an ever present inspiration for Grand Seiko designers, so it is only fitting that it appears on this new watch.
The Grand Seiko Tentagraph will be available from June 2023 and cost in the region of £12,500.
WatchGecko first observations:
Other than the price, what’s not to love about this stunning Grand Seiko. These watches truly represent the peak of Seiko’s impressive manufacturing heritage and have every right to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Swiss giants.
The attention to design detail is superb and the offset black Tachymeter really brings a functional look to what could so easily have morphed into a mono-chrome dress watch.
We recently looked at Anthony’s Grand Seiko for the first time on the WatchGecko Magazine – we can’t think why we have never covered it before. A while back Watchfinder published an article offering several reasons why you should think twice before buying a Grand Seiko.
They cited their lack of Swiss-ness, impact on the Swiss industry and love of quartz. Given the slightly dull offerings from so much of the Swiss watchmaking industry at this show (so far) we think that the reasons given by Watchfinder could conversely be reasons to seriously consider buying a Grand Seiko. However the age old question remains, how much would you be prepared to pay and still have Seiko on the dial?
