Brand Spotlight
Curated by Cortina

Forces of Nature: Gazing Deep into Grand Seiko’s Iconic Dials

17 Dec 2025

Like its pioneering innovations and refined craftsmanship, Grand Seiko’s exquisite nature-inspired dials keep collectors coming back for more.

If the eyes are the windows to a person’s soul, then the dial of a watch may also lead us into its creator’s world, stirring emotion and offering insight into its inspirations and craft. For Grand Seiko, the art of the dial is treated with reverence. As much as the Japanese watchmaking house is celebrated for uniting modern innovations with horological traditions, it also finds poetry in form and detail—most beautifully expressed through its nature-inspired dials.

Grand Seiko’s famously captivating textured dials often draw inspiration from the natural environs surrounding two of the brand’s manufacturing headquarters: Shinshu Watch Studio in the town of Shiojiri in Nagano Prefecture, and the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi in Morioka Prefecture. The Shinshu Watch Studio, where the dials are produced, is enveloped by the Jonen and Hotaka mountain ranges, blessing its watchmakers and craftsmen with spectacular sights all year round.

It is no wonder, then, that Grand Seiko’s designers and artisans continually turn to nature’s bounty for inspiration. In this regard, perhaps one of the brand’s most famous creations is the SBGA011 “Snowflake” from 2004, which depicts the snow-capped landscape of the area that birthed the iconic Spring Drive movement.

Over the years, Grand Seiko has continually refined its mastery of textured dials, enthralling collectors each year with ever-new iterations that immortalise the nuances of nature. Whether a tranquil creation that recalls the quiet ripples on the surface of Lake Suwa (SLGA021), or a meditative study of bark on white birch trees found in forests near the brand’s studio in Shizukuishi (SLGH005), the dials do not merely replicate the beauty of nature, but also express Grand Seiko’s unique decorative flair, and sensitivity to the passage of time.

The newest additions to this expansive repertoire, the Evolution 9 SLGW007 “Moonlit Birch” and Spring Drive U.F.A SLGB005 “Violet Dawn”, once again showcase Grand Seiko’s deep understanding of nature and its creative prowess.

Inspired by the pale glow of birch trees under moonlight, the dial of the SLGW007 captures a delicate interplay of texture and tone, rendered with Grand Seiko’s characteristic restraint. Sheathed in royal blue, the surface bears fine, irregular striations, recalling tree bark bathed in silver light. Each dial is individually pressed and polished, creating subtle differences that make every piece feel truly unique.

This poetic surface is set within a 38.6 mm stainless steel case, exquisitely finished with Zaratsu polishing, while allowing the dial to take centerstage. Meanwhile, facetted indices and razor-edged hands, catch the light with every movement, complementing the evocative backdrop with exacting precision. To that end, the SLGW007 is driven by the hand-wound Calibre 9SA4, Grand Seiko’s high-beat movement that offers exceptional timekeeping accuracy with 80 hours of power reserve.

The second new release, the SLGB005, limited to 1,300 pieces, captures one of nature’s most fleeting spectacles. Finished in a gradated violet hue, its dial evokes that quiet moment of dawn, when the first light spills across a landscape.

Once again, its creators draw inspiration from the forests surrounding Grand Seiko’s Shinshu Studio. The dial’s texture features an almost imperceptible pattern reminiscent of frost on tree bark. Under different lighting conditions, the relief reveals its character, with slender lines and glints of pale lilac emerging from shadow.

As with the SLGW007, the SLGB005 features a supporting cast of fastidiously finished components that enhance—but never distract from—the beauty of the dial. The watch is housed in a 37mm Brilliant Steel case, finished with Zaratsu polishing. Broad applied indices and hands add to the refinement, accompanied by a ‘GS’ logo at 12 o’clock.

Although the dial rightfully takes the spotlight, it is worth noting that the SLGB005 is powered by Grand Seiko’s most advanced Spring Drive movement to date, the Calibre 9RB2. Christened Spring Drive U.F.A. (Ultra Fine Accuracy), the hybrid mechanically powered and electronically regulated movement is accurate to within ±20 seconds per year.

Whether bathed in moonlight or dawn’s first glow, the SLGW007 “Moonlit Birch” and SLGB005 “Violet Dawn”, along with the rest of Grand Seiko’s sublime collection of textured-dial timepieces, become more than mere instruments of time. By capturing the transience of nature, they enshrine the very preciousness of time itself.

Get up-close with Grand Seiko’s captivating dial artistry at our boutiques, or online. Contact a sales representative today to learn more.

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