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Seiko Unveils Its First Tourbillon
The introduction comes as the Japanese company makes a push to emphasize its higher-end timepieces, particularly in the U.S. market.
Katsushika Hokusai’s famous painting “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” inspired the design of both the dial and the caseback of Seiko’s first tourbillon, the Fugaku. Fugaku is another way in which Mt. Fuji is referenced in Japanese; an outline of the mountain is visible on the balance wheel bridge (right).
Basel--Seiko unveiled its first tourbillon at Baselworld, an introduction that comes as the Japanese company makes a push to emphasize its higher-end timepieces.
The Fugaku Tourbillon Limited Edition, created under Seiko’s Credor brand, is powered by the brand’s new tourbillon movement, the Caliber 6830, which based on the Caliber 68 family. The 6830 is less than 4 mm thick yet houses 153 parts and 22 jewels and has a power reserve of approximately 37 hours.
The case is platinum and 18-karat white and yellow gold and is set with 48 blue sapphires. Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai’s famous painting “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” inspired the 3-D engraving and Urushi lacquer design on the dial.
The Japanese watch-maker will create a total of eight Fugaku Tourbillon watches and present them at its boutiques worldwide throughout 2016. The watch is expected to retail for about $460,000.
Another new Grand Seiko, a Spring Drive Chronograph GMT with a black titanium and ceramic case and a green dial ($13,000, limited to 600 pieces). It is one of four new models in the Spring Drive Sports collection and has a fir tree motif on the dial, inspired by a ceremony in the town of Suwa near where the watch is made.
Grand Seiko is going to be a major point of emphasis for Seiko in the United States going forward. Among the new Grand Seiko models unveiled at the show was the company’s first 8-day power reserve for its spring drive. The 43 mm wristwatch is housed in a platinum case and will retail for $55,000.
Seiko’s unveiling of its first tourbillon comes as the company creates a new division called Luxe, which incorporates its Grand Seiko, Astron GPS Solar and Prospex lines.
The company also is opening a second luxury boutique in the United States, in Miami’s Design District, this summer.
Like Seiko’s store on Madison Avenue in New York, the Miami location will carry only Seiko’s higher-end lines, Grand Seiko, Credor and Astron.
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