Grand Seiko, now detached from the Seiko umbrella, has amassed a cult following since 2016 for incorporating innovative movements into classic designs and state-of-the-art craftsmanship, on par with Japanese traditional artistry.

Encased in pink gold with wide bevelled lugs, the ref. SBGD202 is highly regarded among collectors. Featuring an alluring glossy black dial, the subtle touch of gold flecks flirts with the light as it hits the surface. This mesmerising effect is the result of a special in-house process that combines both painting and plating of the dial, sets the scene of a stary night that draws you in.

Powered by the Grand Seiko Spring Drive cal. 9R01, equipped with an 8-day power reserve, its beating heart is a mechanical hybrid with a standard gear train. This horological design uses a “regulator”, instead of an escapement and a balance wheel, which contains a strong magnet that rotates between two electromagnets, generating current to power a quartz timing package which, in turn, uses the same electromagnets to control how fast the regulator turns. The Spring Drive movement is Seiko’s synergistic solution to merging the beauty and complexity of a mechanical movement with the accuracy of quartz. Beautifully finished, the main plate is fashioned to resemble the outline of Mount Fuji with rubies and blue screws to evoke the flickering lights of Suwa, a town near the Grand Seiko Watch Japan Micro Artist Studio, where the watch was conceived.

Offered in excellent overall condition, the present pink gold SBGD202 is a feast for the eyes, revealing the mechanical prowess and potential of the understated Japanese manufacturer.