2002 Gand Seiko Automatic (Ref. SBGR019 / 9S55-0050) W/ Full Set

Fans of Seiko have almost certainly heard the fascinating story of inter-company competition between King Seiko and Grand Seiko during the 1960s and 1970s. Back then, Seiko had two separate factories creating its watches, with Grand Seiko produced at the Suwa factory and King Seiko produced by the Daini factory. Seiko’s objective behind having its two factories compete against each other was to promote progress through competition, with the end goal of building the best timepieces possible. 

Grand Seiko ended up winning out and has gone on to become one of the most respected brands in the business. For decades, however, Grand Seiko enthusiasts had to acquire such pieces directly from Japan or through a third-party seller, as they were exclusive to the Japanese market. Historically speaking, Grand Seiko has labeled itself as a sub-brand of Seiko up until 2017. However, the sister company decided to spread its wings and fly as a fully independent brand that year. 

This particular piece is a beautiful, modern silhouette. Whether you admire the subtle dial details or you're drawn to the mirror-like finish created by Seiko's method of 'Zaratsu' polishing (a skill that requires 3+ years of practice before a craftsman is trusted to polish a watch), there's no denying the crisp and shining elegance of this piece. The brand has perfected the craft of creating timepieces that vividly capture both light and shadow through their rigorous innovations in design and accuracy, and this Grand Seiko is a fantastic example of ingenuity.