Grand Seiko SBGK017 US Special Edition Nanbu tekki

The dial of the SBGK017 takes its inspiration from Nanbu tekki ironware, a form of traditional metalwork produced in the city of Morioka in Iwate prefecture. This renowned handcraft dates to Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868), but it continues to this very day, and it is prized by many for its beauty, durability, and uniform heat distribution. Nanbu tekki ironware features a distinctive texture called arare, or hailstone, on its exterior. This texture finds its way onto the dark gray dial of SBGK017.

Grand Seiko’s Thin Dress Series case design. With the Thin Dress Series, Grand Seiko’s objective was to create thinner, dressier timepieces that could easily slip under a shirt cuff. To that end, the case measures 39mm in diameter, 11.6mm in thickness, and just 44mm in length. The shape features a pronounced curvature with softer, more organic lines than what one would find on more geometric designs like the 44GS. Additionally, the underside of the case is concave, which allows the watch to sit closer to the wrist. The dial and sapphire crystal are also curved to give the watches a classic look, and the minute and power reserve indicator hands are shaped by a craftsperson so that they follow the dials’ dome.