EGN NEWS DESK
The authentic Kodo was crafted to evoke the smooth interaction of sunshine and shadow attribute of night twilight, a key aspect in Grand Seiko’s design philosophy. Conversely, the newest model is designed across the idea of daybreak, utilizing mild and shadow to represent the early morning hours when daylight begins to permeate the sky. This theme is carried via the watch’s design, finishing a cycle of sunshine illustration that started with the primary mannequin.
In this new 2024 version, the motion parts are introduced in a silver hue that enhances the visibility of the intricately layered and polished components, emphasizing their refined craftsmanship. For the primary time in Grand Seiko’s historical past, the motion incorporates blue sapphires as jewel bearings, chosen for his or her mild blue tone that echoes the serene fantastic thing about daybreak, creating an ideal alignment with the watch’s total aesthetic.
The design employs an open-work method that not solely showcases the beautiful element of the hand-finished motion but in addition embodies a necessary worth of Japanese tradition and aesthetics: the appreciation of empty house. This idea is carried into the design of the lugs as effectively, that are crafted to harmonize with the case and contribute to the watch’s total sense of lightness.
The case itself is a research within the interaction of sunshine and shadow, achieved via the strategic use of numerous supplies and finishes. It options an interior case made from Platinum 950 and an outer case of Brilliant Hard Titanium, which is understood for its distinctive hardness and scratch resistance. The contrasting supplies are completed with both a mirror polish often known as Zaratsu sharpening, which is distortion-free, or a hairline end, meticulously utilized by expert artisans to make sure a visually harmonious exterior from each angle.
Powering the watch is the modern Caliber 9ST1, which uniquely combines a constant-force mechanism and a tourbillon on the identical axis, eliminating any middleman parts and thus stopping torque loss. This association permits the watch to keep up a relentless drive for about 50 hours and ensures a extremely steady amplitude, contributing considerably to its accuracy. The Caliber 9ST1 surpasses typical trade requirements by present process rigorous testing: every motion is evaluated over 34 days, examined for 48 hours in six completely different positions and at three temperatures, guaranteeing unmatched precision.
Central to the motion are the built-in constant-force and tourbillon carriages, which collectively home over 100 of the motion’s roughly 340 parts in an area nearly 10mm in diameter. A particular purple ruby marks the seconds on the constant-force carriage, enhancing the visible enchantment.
When the crown is pulled out, the rotating tourbillon carriage stops, permitting time to be set exactly to the second. The synchronization of the interior tourbillon carriage and the outer constant-force carriage, coupled with the visible and auditory rhythm of the escapement and the constant-force mechanism, produces a novel, reassuring heartbeat-like sound and visible impact, akin to a semi-quaver musical word.
The new Kodo mannequin comes with a white strap comprised of sturdy leather-based, handled with conventional strategies utilized in samurai armor and completed with a number of layers of white urushi lacquer for a deep, lustrous look. A gray crocodile leather-based strap can be included. This beautiful timepiece is crafted by a choose group of designers and watchmakers at Grand Seiko’s Atelier Ginza, a studio devoted to creating distinctive and modern mechanical watches. The motion bears an engraving that denotes its manufacturing at Atelier Ginza. The new Kodo joins the Grand Seiko Masterpiece Collection as a extremely unique providing, restricted to simply 20 items.
