Grand Seiko continue to find new aspects of nature to inspire their textured dials. Although I imagine there is plenty to be inspired by when Japanese culture respects 72 micro seasons each year, fleeting moments of time such as the “hiding of the cherry blossom”. While it’s not linked to a specific micro season, the latest Grand Seiko is still connected to an ephemeral phenomenon in nature, the icefall. As such, the new watch is called the ‘Icefall’ Hi-Beat.
Despite the name, an icefall is not a waterfall that has become frozen during the winter months, although you could probably still use that term if you wanted. The geological definition of an icefall is a rapidly moving portion of a glacier that creates a high quantity of crevasses in its surface. This is a fairly standard occurrence on the flanks of Mount Iwate near Grand Seiko’s Shizukuishi studio.
It finds itself expressed on the dial of the Grand Seiko ‘Icefall’ Hi-Beat via a vertical striation pattern that echoes the crevassed surface of the glacier as it moves in a linear direction down the valley. Naturally it’s presented in ice blue because, well, that’s the colour of ice. Personally, I think the texture is a little bit too regular for a glacier’s surface and it is actually a better representation of a frozen waterfall. But as I mentioned, it kind of represents both of these adjacent concepts in a colloquial way, so ultimately it works really well.
The dial is held in a 37mm steel case with a thickness of 13.3mm, which is totally in keeping with the prevailing interest in vintage proportions. It also features Grand Seiko’s classic array of finishing including Zaratsu polishing and brushing. The shape is based on the heritage collection with sweeping lines from lug to lug and gentler facets than some of the more extreme GS designs.
Powering the Grand Seiko ‘Icefall’ Hi-Beat is, as you may have been able to predict, a hi-beat movement. Specifically, it’s the 9S85, which has a power reserve of 55-hours and an accuracy of +5/-3 seconds per day. It operates at a bph of 36,000, which is equivalent to 5 Hz. It’s visible though the sapphire exhibition caseback.
It’s priced at £5,950, which is a pretty standard price for Grand Seiko these days. It goes without saying that the dial is lovely and the movement has impressive specs. Are Grand Seiko one of the best value for money luxury watch brands?
Price and Specs:
More details at Grand Seiko Boutique.
