A year after the release of its first Australian exclusive, Grand Seiko has returned with another limited-edition region-specific timepiece. While the debut Australian exclusive looked to the country’s idiosyncratic flora, the latest release sees the Japanese manufacture turn its eye to the tide.
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Dubbed the Grand Seiko Naruto Whirlpools, the SBGH331 takes its design cues from the natural wonder of the whirlpools off the Naruto Strait in Japan. Located between Tokushima and Awaji Island, the picturesque coastal town is home to a natural phenomenon that occurs every few hours, with the whirlpools particularly impressive during spring tides.
Housed within a 39.5mm stainless steel case, the SBGH331 reflects this phenomenon, showcasing the manufacture’s commitment to Japanese artistry through a textured ice blue dial with a geometric pattern that reflects the undulating swirls of the whirlpools. A gold-toned seconds hand stands out against the ice blue hue (as does the ‘GS’ logo at 12 o’clock), while faceted diamond-polished hour markers and dauphine hour and minute hands represent signatures of the brand.
Visible through the sapphire glass exhibition caseback is the in-house calibre 9S85, a hi-beat movement that beats at 36,000bph to ensure accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds per day and guarantees 55 hours of power reserve.
Limited to 150 examples, the Grand Seiko SBGH331 is priced at $9250AUD and available via Grand Seiko boutiques.
Words by Theo Rosen
